FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The only show you need this year: IFAI Expo 2004

(Roseville, Minn. * Jan. 5, 2004) * Diversity of programs, exhibits and markets make IFAI Expo 2004 the only show industry professionals need to attend this year to advance their businesses.

Held Oct. 27-29 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, IFAI Expo 2004 will offer exhibits, education, dynamic speakers, recognition opportunities, certification testing, and many networking possibilities.

IFAI Expo consistently increases business opportunities for specialty fabrics professionals from every part of the industry. Educational programs will cover architectural structures, awnings and canopies, business and leadership, equipment and technologies, geotextiles and filtration, inflatables, marine, medical, safety and protective, signs and graphics, sports and recreation, textile composition, transportation, truck covers and tarpaulins and upholstery.

The industry-comprehensive 2004 event also will draw new participants with its pre-event programs, the 4th International Conference on Safety & Protective Fabrics and Medical Textiles 2004, both to take place Oct. 26-27, 2004. 4th International Conference on Safety & Protective Fabrics participants will identify, promote and seek solutions for the safety and protective textile products marketplace. Medical Textiles 2004 will educate the global medical textiles community about new technologies in areas including wound care, bandages and pressure garments; implantable devices; biomaterials; orthopedic support and immobilization devices; healthcare and hygiene products; and medical and pharmaceutical devices.

IFAI Expo 2004 will follow the success of IFAI Expo 2003, which attracted the second largest number of participants in the show's history * 7,425. IFAI Expo 2003 participants traveled to Las Vegas from a record 55 countries to visit the 480 exhibitors and to participate in the more than 70 educational programs.

IFAI's President, Steve Warner, CAE, explained that the IFAI Expo has evolved into the single most important event for the specialty fabrics industry. "Not only is the IFAI exposition attracting those within the entire textile industry value chain * from fiber producer to the end product manufacturer, but in Las Vegas it also attracted the users and specifiers of the finished products, including automotive manufacturers, aircraft companies, architects and civil engineers, and those representing military and other government agencies," he said.

Steven Bowman, Vice President of sales and marketing for Shuford Mills said, "(IFAI Expo) represents what I think is going to be the future of the U.S. textile industry; technical and specialty textiles * something different, products that are not simple to replicate."

This year marks the first IFAI exposition in the Northeast in nearly 20 years. Pittsburgh's convenient location, less than 500 miles from most major U.S. cities and home to one of the top five airports in the country, will make IFAI Expo 2004 an easily accessible destination for over 8,500 specialty fabrics professionals throughout the world.

For more information on exhibiting or visiting IFAI Expo 2004, please contact IFAI Conference Management.

IFAI Conference Management
1801 County Road B W.
Roseville, MN 55113
Phone: 651/222-2508
Fax: 651/631-9334
E-Mail: confmgmt@ifai.com
Website URL: www.ifaiexpo.info