Tuesday, July 17, 2012
9 a.m–4 p.m.
Mimaki Headquarters
Suwanee, Ga.

Who should attend? End product fabricators from the marine, awning, tent, tarp, fabric graphics, banner and flag markets who want to increase profitability with a printing revenue stream.

Workshops will cover these topics:

• equipment
• ink
• resources (money, time, talent and work flow)

Attendees will

• review the essentials of printer, ink and fabric selection for specific applications.
• participate in printing and finishing demonstrations.
• visit with fabric and equipment suppliers to the industry.
• earn CEU credit for workshop participation.

You are invited to participate in a printing workshop presented at Mimaki USA. Printing applications, fabric selection and finishing options will be discussed. Fabric and equipment suppliers will present new products to attendees for application in their businesses.

Suppliers invited

Suppliers to industry are invited to share product offerings with attendees during the Vendors' Fair. There will be time allotted for product presentations and opportunities to print and finish fabric swatches.

If you are interested in displaying your products or services please contact Jan Schieffer, managing director, Fabric Graphics Association, +1 651 225 6944 or email jmschieffer@ifai.com. Cost is $100 for member company. Non-FGA IFAI member companies may join FGA for $50 and qualify to participate in the Vendors' Fair.

Registration:

$59 FGA members/$99 nonmembers
$100 member vendor table

Find out all the ways to register!

• how the study was conducted
• study findings
• working tool
• amount of weight required
• distribution method of tool and
• what information is required to use the tool.

Project history

The ballasting project was conceived in 2009. Through 2010, the scope of work was identified. Members were informed of the scope of the ballasting project. A survey was conducted with 90 percent of the members in favor of developing a Request for Proposal.

In January 2011, the membership voted unanimously to allocate funds for the ballasting study. Clemson University was selected to conduct the research. At Tent Conference 2012 the study findings were presented. A spring 2012 launch was forecast.

The project scope was to provide the members with a tool to calculate the required ballast weights to meet the loads provided by the manufacturers. Key details announced include ballast configuration, ballast type and surface type.

Joey Ruffin of Anchor Industries was recognized for his dedication to the collection, analysis and organization of ballasting data for commercial tents, creating a usable tool for the industry.

Ken Keberle of Karl’s Event Services was awarded the TRD Education Award for his commitment to providing informational tools for training workshops and for offering presentations to code officials.

Dave MacArthur of Losberger U.S., a member of the Tent Rental Division Steering Committee, announced the recipients of the 2012 Award of Excellence competition. Companies entered their best tent installation and tent manufacturing projects to gain recognition from peers for a job well done.

Winners in the three categories are listed here.

Party tent rental

Award of Excellence
Beachview Event Rentals and Design
St. Regis style wedding
Woodbine, Ga.

Outstanding Achievement Award
EventQuip
National Museum party
Lansdale, Pa.

Commercial tent rental

Award of Excellence
Main Attractions
Coca Cola Anniversary
Edison, N.J.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Röder
Biathlon World Cup
Buedingen, Germany

Tent manufacturing

Award of Excellence
Cocoon Ltd.
Cocoon project
Lisburn, Ireland

Outstanding Achievement Award
Anchor Industries
Retractable roof panel
Evansville, Ind.

You can see all the projects submitted for the 2012 awards in the commercial tent rental, tent manufacturing and party tent rental categories.

Congratulations to everyone for tremendous work!

Renaud looks forward to contributing ideas and skills to the Marketing Task Force. Holland will be a leader on the Life Safety Task Force.

Jim Reyen, Eureka Tents, Binghamton, N.Y., completed his term of office as chairman of the steering committee and extended congratulations to the new chairman Dan Nolan, Tents Unlimited, Atlanta, Ga. Biff Gentsch, Aztec Tents, Torrance, Calif., was appointed vice chairman.

The entire steering committee accepted the responsibility of providing education and training as well as planning a successful Tent Expo 2013.

Students interested in applying for the scholarships can visit the Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF) website. Or download a scholarship application here.

The submission deadline is May 18, 2012. The scholarship applies to the following school year, paid directly to the student's school for fall semester tuition.

This scholarship is funded by a donation from the Tent Rental Division, a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI).

The card features the TRD Seal and a list of resources TRD has made available to members including:

• The IFAI Procedural Handbook for the Safe Installation and Maintenance of Tentage
• Permitting of Tents Guidelines
• Staking and Anchoring Guidelines
• Training for the Tent Installer workshops
• Tentexperts.org for code and industry updates

A PDF of the document is available for download in the members-only section of the website.

The project is a result of a request from members who expressed concern when losing jobs to companies who did not always follow industry standards. The Code of Ethics card will assist members in letting their customers know that as a member of an industry trade association, they strive to promote safety, quality and creativity in the use of rental tents.

Busy planners and producers are freed from costly office time by accessing an extensive industry network on-the-go. The smart phone application helps users seek quotes, find new vendors and compare services while providing safety-minded professional suppliers.

A simple menu provides a checklist of options including desired accessories, type of event, number of guests and any special requests. Tent size is calculated and the location-based technology can then send a quote request to area suppliers for a timely estimate—all with a few simple key strokes.

“Event planners are busy and the industry demands that they are out of the office a majority of the time. We expect this application to simplify the vendor sourcing process and increase the event planners’ network of businesses and available options while also highlighting the professionalism of our members,” says Jan Schieffer, managing director of TRD.

Beth Wilson of Mahaffey Tent and Party Rentals is excited by the time-saving benefits of the app, as well. “My Event Tent App lets us plug in our information, the number of people and various accessory items, and calculates the approximate tent size and square footage needed. The app takes the guess work out of the process and enables us to provide better and more timely service to our customers.”

The recipient of the TRD Membership Scholarship is Becca Barth sponsored by Snyder Manufacturing in Dover, Ohio. The scholarship is funded by the TRD, a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International.

Barth is a student at Bowling Green State University pursuing a degree in Communications and Business. She is involved in the National Honor Society and has volunteered with the Red Cross and Exceptional Olympics. Her degree in Communications and Business will allow her to achieve her goal of public relations within the specialty fabrics industry.

This scholarship award provides tuition expenses at an accredited college, university or technical school. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement, community service, financial need and interest in a future career in the specialty fabrics industry. To qualify for the TRD Member Scholarship award, applicants must be employed by or related to an employee of a TRD member company.

Applications for the next TRD Membership Scholarship award will be available in January 2012. The deadline for all applications is May 1, 2012. Recipients will be notified by the end of June with money going to the school for the fall semester.

The IFF is a separately incorporated non profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to education and research in specialty fabrics. For information on the IFF or their scholarship programs, please contact 651 225 6545 or blhungiville@ifai.com.

Entries must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2011. Photos representing the following safety categories will be accepted:

• Safety for the Tent Installer
• Safety for the Public in Tented Events
• Unsafe Installation Practices

Photo submissions will be showcased at Tent Conference 2012 with all submissions being entered into a drawing for prizes based on number of entries. The drawing will take place during the Annual TRD Business Meeting, Feb. 25, 2012, New York New York Resort and Casino, Las Vegas.

> Submit now

Official rules

Photos cannot appear to endorse a commercial product or service. The subjects photographed should not be identifiable with a specific manufacturer. The images must be submitted with the online submission form with an appropriate safety caption. For each person that is recognizable in a photo, you must obtain permission, through a release form downloadable from the TRD website, for use of photo. The contest is available to members only of the Tent Rental Division.

Don’t forget to submit your photo! Here are some sample subjects:

• Safe driving tips
• Keeping cool in the heat of summer
• Storm clouds and stopping installation
• Weather and event evacuation Staking challenges
• Anchoring tips
• The buddy system in actio
• Event exits
• Safe walkways

The app will provide a menu allowing visitors to select from a checklist of options relating to rentals such as desired accessories, type of event, number of guests and special requests. The size of the tent required for the event will then be displayed. The visitor can stop with this information or proceed to the next step, which is "submit information for quote." The request is then forwarded to TRD member companies within the zip code area of the person requesting the quote. The result: member companies will receive qualified leads generating new business!

How does a company get listed to receive quotes?
You must be a member of TRD. Each member company is automatically listed by the three digit zip code of the mailing address on file for the TRD membership contact.

What if my company wants to reach a broader market area?
Companies can purchase additional three digit zip code listings for $10.00 each. Deadline for purchase is June 17. The zip code listings will be valid for 12 months once the program is launched. Visit http://maps.huge.info/zip3.htm for a general map of three digit zip code listings. Complete the attached form to purchase additional listings.

How will my company be notified of leads?
The TRD membership contact will receive an email with the "request a quote" information.

• TRD would like to extend a special thank you to the following individuals for participating in the introductory session:
• Ken Keberle, Karl's Event Rental
• Joey Ruffin, Anchor Industries
• Michael Tharpe, TopTec Event Tents
• Jan Schieffer, IFAI
• Dr. Summers
• Dr. Blouin
• Clemson University students

During the session, Ballasting Study objectives, procedures and timeline of project were finalized. Clemson staff will be providing project updates bi-weekly.

> For a full update on the session, visit the TRD ballasting study page.

OSHA's new Heat Illness Campaign website provides educational materials in English and Spanish, as well as a curriculum to be used for workplace training. Additionally, OSHA is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on weather service alerts that will incorporate worker safety precautions when heat alerts are issued across the United States. NOAA is also including pertinent worker safety information on its Heat Watch website.

The goal of the ballasting project is to develop industry-wide guidelines and reliable criteria to use when determining how much ballast is needed and how this is best accomplished when installing rental tents. This effort will also be a combination of showing how to ballast a tent most effectively and presenting diagrams and numbers to calculate the amount of ballast needed.

Members of the Tent Rental Division will meet with Clemson University on May 17, 2011 to discuss details of the project and establish progress markers. The overall goal of the TRD is to present Guidelines for the Ballasting of Commercial Tents at Tent Conference 2012 in Las Vegas. Updates will be posted on tentexperts.org throughout the course of the study.

A special thank you to all members of the Tent Rental Division of IFAI for their support in helping to arrive at the decision to conduct an industry ballasting study and to the Steering Committee and especially the Code Task Force for preparing the RFP and evaluating the proposals.

The annual scholarship is available for Tent Rental Division members through the Industrial Fabrics Foundation, but is funded by the TRD for its members.

This scholarship award provides $2,500 for tuition expenses at an accredited college, university or technical school for employees and family members of employees of Industrial Fabrics Association International member companies. Financial need, academic achievement, community service and studies related to specialty fabrics are considered in the selection process.

This scholarship award provides tuition expenses at an accredited college, university or technical school. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement, community service, financial need and interest in a future career in the specialty fabrics industry. To qualify for the TRD Member Scholarship award, applicants must be employed by or related to an employee of a TRD member company.

Deadline for all applications is May 13, 2011. Recipients will be notified by the end of May with money going to the school for the fall semester.

> Apply now (PDF)

> Download PDF of registration form

Pounding a stake into a grassy surface? Installing a tent? 811 is the number you should call before you begin any tent installation.

A new, federally-mandated national "Call Before You Dig" number, 811, was created to help protect you from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while working on digging projects. Tent installers often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked due to concerns about project delays, costs and previous calls about other projects. These assumptions can be life-threatening.

Every digging job requires a calleven small projects like planting trees or shrubs. If you hit an underground utility line while digging, you can harm yourself or those around you, disrupt service to an entire neighborhood and potentially be responsible for fines and repair costs.

Smart digging means calling 811 before each job. Whether you are a homeowner or a professional tent installer, one call to 811 gets your underground utility lines marked for FREE. 811 is the designated call before you dig phone number that directly connects you to your local one call center. Each state has different rules and regulations governing digging, some stricter than others. Click here to find state-specific information as well as links to submit an online digging request where available.

"We Support Safe Digging Month" Buttons

The easiest way to get involved in supporting National Safe Digging Month is by working with your website administrator to place the code below into the back end of your website. This will make the NSDM support button appear on your site and link back to Call811.com to educate the public about 811.

Click here to download safe digging button.

Winners of the three categories are entered into the IFAI International Achievement Awards. Winning projects receive extensive media exposure including: press releases written and distributed to trade and consumer media outlets, features in IFAI's publications, including InTents magazine, an award plaque and permission to use the Award of Excellence logo in business and promotional pieces.

Winners are selected based on complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and function. "Award of Excellence" and "Outstanding Achievement Award" category winners are announced every year during Tent Expo or Tent Conference. This year, due to a pending storm at Tent Expo, winners were announced electronically.

The winners are as follows:

Party tent rental

Award of Excellence
A Southern kind of wedding
Mahaffey Fabric Structures
Memphis, Tenn.

Outstanding Achievement Award
White wedding
Chattanooga Tent Company
Chattanooga, Tenn.

Commercial tent rental

Award of Excellence
HMC benefit
Main Attractions
Edison, N.J.

Outstanding Achievement Award
World Equestrian Games
Tentlogix/Premier Party Rental
Stuart, Fla.

Outstanding Achievement Award
UEFA Champions League Final 2010
Rder Zelt-und Veranstaltungsservice
Budingen, Germany

Tent manufacturing

Award of Excellence
Covering the troops
Mahaffey Fabric Structures
Memphis, Tenn.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Haiti base paint classroom project
Armbruster Manufacturing Company
Springfield, Ill.

Tharpe was instrumental in the training of more than 600 installers during the past three years. Chairing the Life Safety Task Force, he organized training modules referenced in the organization of specific training programs. His commitment of time and energy to the Training for the Tent Professional program has laid the foundation for the future training of our industrys most valuable asset, the tent installer.

This award is the tent rental industrys highest honor, presented only to individuals who have contributed time, talent and energy to improving the industry for all participants.

In the 1980s and 1990s Todd designed and patented several new tension tent designs in the North American tent rental and military tent industries in collaboration with tent manufacturers. Several of these designs have been in continuous production and inventory for more than 20 years. Total cumulative sales figures for tents made from the designs are currently approaching $3 billion. These designs helped North America maintain its worldwide lead in pole tent materials, manufacturing and installation technologyoriginally established during the Golden Age of the Circus in the early 20^th century. Companies representing his designs include Anchor Modules (Bandshell and Century), Eureka Genesis (Elite and Capri), Armbruster Tension Tent and MGPTS for the US Army.

In 1986, Todd introduced a wind loading criteria interpretation for temporary tents, with the help of Mike Cook of Buro Happold, that met American Society of Civil Engineers standards for buildings, which is still in use today for pole tents and clearspan tents. This helped give construction industry building code inspectors a way to assess temporary tent and clearspan designs and installations based on established construction industry business standards.

Todd founded FTL (Future Tents Ltd.) in 1977, with engineer brother Ross Dalland and Ray Gill, and was joined by classmates Nic Goldsmith and Denis Hector in 1978 and 1979 and by Robert Lerner in 1995. FTLs close association with Buro Happold, the British engineering firm, was instrumental in its development.

FTL has been a member of IFAI since 1979, and has been awarded more than 50 International Achievement Awards. Todd has been a featured speaker at numerous IFAI events, is a former Steering Committee member of the Tent Rental Division and has participated in several of its standards committees.

FTL has prepared engineering analyses and certification reports for several clearspan, frame and pole tent manufacturers for US sales and rentals, including: Losberger, Roder, Hoecker, Neptunus, Walther, Universal, Anchor, Eureka and Sperry.

FTL has designed and engineered new circus tents for: Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey, Big Apple Circus and Cavalia.

Todd has been involved in many large special events and was the first planner and architect for the tented Seventh on 6^th Fashion Shows in Bryant Park in New York, and was involved with the design and planning of several parts of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

In 1996, Todd was elevated to Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects for advancements in the field of design for his work on the many temporary, deployable and permanent tensile structure projects completed by FTL.

In 2007, Todd and Robert Lerner formed FTL Solar, and were joined by first investor and CEO Tony Saxton. FTL Solar produces fabrics that make electricity when held up to the sun by integrating fabric with flexible photovoltaic cells, and designs and manufactures fabric-based products using these cells. FTL Solar has begun introducing solar tents called PowerMods to the tent rental marketplace in a distribution relationship with Classic Party Rentals.

I know there are other tent people who deserve this more, but I cant tell you how pleased I am to receive the Wodetzki Award and join the ranks of the other recipients," Dalland says. "Many of them were the mentors and collaborators who helped give me my start. My special thanks go out to Jerry OConnell, Pat McBride, John Daus, Harry Oppenheimer, Bernie Armbruster, Jim Reyen and Kevin McBride.

Bruce Wodetzski was an early supporter and role model for meand I am grateful to him. I remember a great evening with Bruce and his wife Karen in NYC.

For me, tents are lightweight and flexible buildingstemporary architecture. And large, tented special events with portable generators are movable villages and citiestemporary urban planning.

For a photo of Todd Dalland, please contact Jan Schieffer, TRD Managing Director, at jmschieffer@ifai.com.

IFAI Tent Expo 2011 provided more than 600 participants a full spectrum of tents/fabric structures and tent rental products and services suppliers on Jan. 24 - 26, in St Pete Beach, Fla. The Tradewinds Resort was host to the exposition and provided the challenges of a sandy beach and wind exposure from the gulf. The exposition held educational seminars, Training for the Tent Professional and hands-on workshops on emerging technologies under the theme Work Hard, Play Hard. Tent installations demonstrations emphasized safety awareness for the tent installer.

Keynote speaker Joe M. Turner addressed the many possibilities of providing positive customer service to inside and outside associates. Jeff Korhan challenged all participates to participate in social media and presented how to get started venues for everyone. Whether blogging, Facebooking or a LinkedIn page, the important message was to become involved today. Karen Koppel explained the process of participating in large scale events even if you are a smaller company as there are many opportunities available if you have defined your companys product and service offerings.

Expert industry representatives discussed the importance of site surveys; personal protection equipment and awareness; tent permits and codes; and the day-to-day operations and challenges, including training installers and the importance of owners delegating responsibilities. Most importantly, the industry gathered to discuss the importance of establishing guidelines for the safe ballasting of rental tents. During the Tent Rental Division Annual Business Meeting, a motion passed for moving forward with the project.

Other highlights of the IFAI Tent Expo 2011 included the survival of all installed tents through a wind and rain storm of tornado strength, a tribute to the following of the established guidelines for the safe installation and maintenance of tentage.

For more information on IFAI Tent Expo 2011, contact Jan Schieffer, IFAI Tent Rental Division Managing Director, 1801 County Road B West, Roseville, MN 55113; +1 651 225 6944; jmschieffer@ifai.com.

The Tent Rental Division is a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), a not-for-profit trade association whose member companies represent the international specialty fabrics marketplace. IFAI is the largest, most comprehensive trade association serving this industry, and provides many products, services and programs through its magazines, bookstore, information services and conferences. For more information about IFAI, please visit www.ifai.com.

Members of TRD approve ballasting study

Members of Tent Rental Division of IFAI approve motion to move forward with the ballasting study and designating funds for Guidelines for the Safe Ballasting of Rental Tents."

Ken Keberle, Karls Event Rental and Chairman of the Code and Life Safety Task Force of TRD summarized the proposal for industry to develop the guidelines for safe ballasting of rental tents. Concluding a discussion on the scope and procedure for developing guidelines, a motion was passed by members of the Tent Rental Division to move forward with developing guidelines for the ballasting of tents.

Jerry OConnell, former member of the TRD Steering Committee and TRD Education Committee that developed the guidelines for the safe installation and maintenance of tent age stated, We need this information so for once and for all, as responsible members of this industry, we have guidelines for ballasting of tents. Similar to the staking study, independent third parties will receive RFPs for the study.

David MacArthur, Losberger US LLC, was elected for a three-year term of office to serve on the TRD Steering Committee. He will replace Michael Tharpe, TopTec Products Inc, who completed his second three-year term of office. Michael was acknowledged for his dedication in developing Training for the Tent Professional program.

Mike Holland, Chattanooga Tent, was appointed by Chairman Jim Reyen, Eureka Tents, to complete a one-year term of office, vacated by the leaving of Sam Wodetzki, Tents Unlimited.

A motion was tabled regarding a motion to allow members to vote using alternate methods.

2011 recipient of Bruce Wodetzki Award announced

J D Howell, Bruce Wodetzki Award honoree and past Chairman of TRD, announced Todd Dalland as the 2011 winner of the Bruce Wodetzki Award, the highest honor bestowed on a member of industry who has contributed to development of the tent rental industry and to the Tent Rental Division of IFAI.

Tent Expo 2011 a success

Tent Expo 2011 will be remembered as Tent Expo the year of the storm." With driving winds and rains, attendees were evacuated from the tents as storm intensity increased. With 70 mile and hour winds and torrential rain, the tents installed for Tent Expo stood. From the clearspan on the beach to the frame tents and stretch tents, all tents were still standing after the storm passed. Some were in 18 inches of standing water, but as participants stated, the show will go on as we are tent people and this why we put up tents; we protect you from the elements.

George Poston, US Event Structures, stated, I have been coming to the Tent Expo since late 80s, and this was the best. There was representation of rental companies from everywhere."

Spencer Etzel, The SEC Group, stated, Rental companies came to network but also to purchase. The economy is starting to turn."

Tom Shields, American Keder, stated, We saw a new level of interest in our products exhibited at Tent Expo and look forward to the next Tent Expo."

There was a definite presence of international attendees in exhibiting and attending. Educational sessions were well attended with Forklift Training, Training for the Tent Professional and keynote sessions at capacity.

Details to follow.

New Member Reception a success

New members and exhibitors of Tent Rental Division and Tent Expo stated they attended because...

"I wanted to meet lots of others in our business."
Steven Eisenstein, Classic Tents and Events

"To support the ballasting initiative and see its legacy travel to all the other association members."
Scott Woodruff, Event Central

"The opportunity to network with other tent professionals."
John Leberman, TentandTable.com

"This is a great way to meet people in the tent business and learn more about my business."
Rich Rodems, TentandTable.com

"For education and vacation."
Susan Jones, Red Hat Rentals

"To support our association and make money."
Danielle Manzella, Filmwerks

"Networking means dollars."
Jason Reams, American Rentals Inc

"I wanted to stay current with the new tent designs and meet other people outside my area of the Northeast."
Daryl Benz, Aggreko Event Services

They are addressing issues of importance to us, namely tent staking. We feel strongly there is much risk in not addressing this as an industry. Left alone, state legislatures will address and not in a way that will be favorable to the industry!"
Jill Rondeau, Event Central

Stay tuned for more. Videos, photos and the Award of Excellence winners will be posted soon.