President Obama signed the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of 2016 into law, a critical bill that quantifies the true size of the outdoor economy, including recreational boating. Better known as the REC Act, it will instruct the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce (DOC) to assess and analyze the [...]

The U.S. House passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), also known as the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN). The bill approves critical funding improvements and upkeeps for our nation’s waterways and harbors and includes ecosystem, dredging, flood control, and navigation programs. The WRDA will now be up for consideration in the Senate. [...]

Milliken & Co., Spartanburg, S.C., has announced that J. Harold Chandler has been elected its chairman, president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Chandler’s appointment follows the resignation of Joseph M. Salley as president and chief executive officer and member of the board of directors. Chandler has served on Milliken’s board of directors for 14 [...]

Herculite Products Inc., an Emigsville, Pa.-based manufacturer of high-performance and custom fabrics, has hired Buddy Sliva as western regional sales manager–Awning and Marine. He will support Herculite’s distributors and manage awning and marine fabric sales including Strataglass™. Sliva comes to Herculite with many years of successful sales and business development experience both nationally and regionally. [...]

After receiving hundreds of submissions from across the country, Aztec Tents announced the four winning photographs and videos for its 2016 Aztec Photo & Video Contest. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Aztec Tents, the leader in tents and structures within the special events industry. This year, more than 300 companies submitted their best event [...]

The new Outdoor Recreational Industry Roundtable, a group of more than 10 outdoor industries that come together that have come together to call attention to the collective breadth and positive impact of our nation’s recreation and outdoor industry, shared a white paper with Trump transition team that outlines the critical infrastructure needed to sustain and [...]

The Australian government’s research council has supported the creation of a $13.2 million university–industry collaborative center to develop value-added future fibers. Based at Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria, the Future Fibres Hub will lead the development of fiber-based materials ranging from short polymer fibers for the medical, textile and industrial sectors and carbon fiber composites [...]

Whether you’re looking to enhance your post-Expo experience or are seeing these companies for the first time, use the information below from IFAI Expo exhibitors to learn more about the products and services they provide.

Gerber Technology, the world leader in integrated software and automated solutions for the apparel and industrial markets, announced they are partnering with Oklahoma State University to educate future fashion tech leaders as they prepare for careers in the industry. The Conn.-based company will provide products that will be available for design, housing and merchandising students [...]

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has proposed changes to its SBIC Early Stage Program, a feature of the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program. SBA has proposed a number of regulatory changes that seek to broaden access to the Early Stage Program and strengthen the impact of SBIC’s on early stage small businesses. SBA has introduced regulatory [...]