Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) expo was held in the US, October 1 to 4, 2019. This is North America’s largest specialty, industrial and advanced textile event. The event hosted more than 325 exhibitors and 4,412 participants from 64 countries. The expo provided access to the industry's leading companies, latest innovations in technology and textiles as well as valuable education and insight into current and future trends. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with different exhibitors, hear expert advise at more than 83 educational sessions and gain inspiration. Sessions provided valuable information for the advanced textiles, specialty fabrics and shade and weather protection markets. The expo hosted three days of market specific classroom education with 33 sessions focused on shade and weather protection, graphics, marine, sustainability and business operations, along with a wealth of other specialty fabrics and advanced textiles focused content.

The session on advanced textiles included challenges and applications of soft goods in human spaceflight, a look at trends that affect textile needs within the nation’s defense strategy and how to find opportunities and respond to military bids, regulations and advances with medical textiles, a systems level overview of smart textiles as well as a look at prototyping, innovation and diversification.