More than 8,000 specialty fabric professionals from around the world will gather in Las Vegas, USA, for the event customized for business success — IFAI Expo 2003. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center Oct. 1-3, IFAI Expo 2003 will feature a comprehensive exhibition floor of more than 500 companies and an exciting lineup of innovative educational programs, dynamic speakers and professional recognition opportunities.

The IFAI exposition also will include Fabric Structures 2003, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, which will feature case studies covering the benefits of using fabric as a building material, unique design elements and resources available in the fabric structures market. AIA CES Learning Units will apply. Fabric Structures 2003 is organized by Fabric Architecture magazine in cooperation with the Lightweight Structures Association and the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association.

IFAI Expo 2003 follows the successful IFAI exposition held last October in Charlotte, N.C. A total of 7,356 professionals from 54 countries representing every market of the specialty fabrics industry filled the IFAI Expo 2002 show floor and educational programs. A record number of 490 exhibitors offered their products and services to the diverse crowd.

Jimmy Herndon of Rolling Brook Textiles, a first time IFAI Expo exhibitor, commented on the market diversity of the 2002 crowd. "I think the IFAI show is one of the best. It offers many opportunities for a variety of manufacturers who participate: safety and protective apparel, marine, various industrial applications, and more," Herndon said. "I must have gathered a couple of hundred leads in the first two days. I look forward to exhibiting next year and to taking advantage of the tremendous networking opportunities this show provides."

Steve Warner, CAE, IFAI President, said, "IFAI Expo 2002 set the stage for the expansion of IFAI Expo. More than any other show, IFAI Expo serves as the marketplace for the scope of the specialty fabrics industry."

The IFAI Expo 2003 educational programs, speaker presentations and show floor will have added dimension because of increasing emerging market representation. Participation by professionals from markets such as filtration, geosynthetics, government and military, medical, safety and protective and sports and recreation increases with each IFAI exposition. These professionals bring innovative ideas that will shape the future of the specialty fabrics industry. The Las Vegas Convention Center is the ideal location for the expanding IFAI Expo. Centrally located in the Las Vegas Valley, the Las Vegas Convention Center is the largest single-level convention facility in the U.S.

IFAI Expo 2003 participants will have a prime opportunity to take advantage of the city''s activity. In addition to famous hotel-casinos, Las Vegas attractions range from museums to championship golf courses to five-star restaurants and thrilling roller coasters. IFAI Expo exhibitors are looking forward to the 2003 venue. "Las Vegas is going to sell itself. All you have to do is say ''Las Vegas,'' and people will come," Jeff Sponseller of Miller Weldmaster Corp. said. "The best thing about a Las Vegas trade show from an exhibitor point of view is that the attendees always spend a lot of time at the show."