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All the best from New Orleans: Thursday morning at IFAI Expo led off with lists of winners for the year, including the most popular products on the show floor. The sixth annual Show Stopper competition was designed to showcase the best of the best in the industry, from fabrics, equipment and chemicals to services and end products. Entries were submitted by exhibitors and displayed on the show floor, with winners selected by a committee of industry experts. This year, we received 75 entries from 35 different companies.
And the winners are:
HEYtex® and BondCote Corporation took the award in the Chemicals, Coatings & Compounds category with Coastbar TPU, designed for safe and reliable water vehicles – from dinghies to rescue islands. The seawater-resistant range of Coastbar TPU is recommended for a variety of inflatable products; the special coating technology adds durability and safe air tightness.
MPanel Software Solutions won in the Equipment & Tools category with MPanel Sail Creator, a shade sail design tool for sales staff that produces 3-D designs in minutes, without the need for CAD.
Supreme Corporation was tops in the Fabrics, Fibers & Films category. Volt Smart Yarns are created with specific levels of conductivity, resistance and strength, addressing the rapidly growing need for highly conductive yarns that can send signals or heat fabrics without sensors or additional electronics.
YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. was the winner in the Hardware, Findings & Accessories category with the AQUASEAL® zipper: flexible, lightweight, airtight and watertight.
Awning Tracker took the prize in the Services to Manufacturers Category with Awning Tracker project management software, which helps users track jobs as they move through each stage of production and installation.
Rainier Industries won with the Glacier Awning in the End Products category. Built to order, it can be made in any width and projection up to 13 feet, six inches, and powder-coated any color. All hardware is enclosed within the arm, and the entire arm assembly can be repaired in the field, with individual components replaced rather than the entire arm.
A list of all 2017 Show Stopper entries was printed in the August 2017 Specialty Fabrics Review, and can be viewed online at https://specialtyfabricsreview.com/2017/show-stoppers. More information about this year’s winners will be included in the November 2017 issue, as part of the coverage of IFAI Expo 2017 in New Orleans.