Specialised Textiles and Blind Manufacturers Associations to stage a super expo in 2013.

The Specialised Textiles Association will join forces with the Blind Manufacturers Association to create and stage a super expo on the Gold Coast in June 2013.

The Specialised Textiles Association (STA) will join forces with the Blind Manufacturers Association Australian (BMAA) to create and stage a super expo at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre from 5-7 June 2013.

At its annual general meeting held during the association's Expo2012 last week, STA members were told that the combined offerings of the window furnishings and specialised textiles industries "will provide a bigger market for sellers and a more unique one stop shop experience for buyers."

Incoming president, Lance St Hill said, he believed that both, exhibitors and attendees were likely to be more excited about the potential benefits of a super expo. St Hill also said that in this economically uncertain environment, it makes particularly good business sense for exhibitors to consolidate and redirect their planned expenditure at both association expos in 2013 to the super expo."

In confirming the announcement to BMMA members, president, Joe Turner said that BMAA was excited to be collaborating in a super show with the Specialised Textiles Association.

With involvement from members of both associations, Turner said the super expo was likely to be the largest trade exhibition ever staged for the window furnishings and specialised textiles industries in Australasia, and that he anticipates a significantly greater number of visitors to the super expo – both from Australia and overseas.

With the Expo2012 only just completed, planning for the super expo will commence shortly with booking information for exhibition space expected to be available by the end of July once a joint steering committee and independent project manager is in place.

The Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre was selected as the venue for the super expo because of its capacity to accommodate the needs of both associations.

For more information about the Gold Coast Exhibition & Convention Centre, please visit gccec.com.au

Expo2012 Event wrap up.

Expo2012 declared a great success despite the uncertain economic climate with early feedback from exhibitors and attendees confirming that a balanced mix of business and pleasure in high quality venues seems to be a winning formula. Here's a brief wrap up of each of the events.

• The Young Leaders Challenge team presentations and judging generated a lot of activity as well as excitement and buzz in the exhibition hall. The activities being developed for our young leaders has captured the hearts and minds of our membership and will continue to be a feature of future expos.

• Our technical/business sessions - held on the floor of the exhibition hall - were well attended. Despite some initial doubt about how the presentations would work in the noisy, open exhibition space, most attendees said they liked the format despite the fact that wearing headsets meant limited opportunity for interaction between the presenters and the audience as a whole. Exhibitors particularly liked the format because it avoided a mass exodus from the hall and also enabled staff rostered on stands to look in on presentations even if they couldn't hear much.

• The industry and special interest forums - a new addition to the program - were well received and will continue to be developed further.

• The number and quality of exhibitor stands continues to grow, which shows just how far our industry has come along in the past 5-6 years. The perception generated by visually appealing stands and clever stand activities cannot be understated and we will continue to work on the way we market ourselves to our customers. Exhibiting in a big, open, modern space like the Melbourne Exhibition Centre also enhances the perceptions of our industry enormously.

• Unfortunately despite our efforts, and high pre-registrations, visitor numbers to the trade exhibition on both days were down on last year. Whether this was due to current economic and political circumstances impacting consumer sentiment, and in turn, business confidence or whether it was due to other factors, it's hard to say, and there is probably no simple explanation. On the positive side, many exhibitors noted that engagement levels and quality of the leads coming from those that did come, more than compensated for the overall lower visitor numbers.

• Attendance at each of the networking events was exceptional as usual. Due to the friendly, approachable, down-to-earth nature of our membership - and its willingness to get into the spirit of things whether its an elegant black tie dinner, chilled out cocktails or raucous night of dancing and singing - this is a part of the expo program that always works.

A formal post implementation review of the Expo2012 will be held in the coming weeks and the results of this feedback will be used to help us shape our joint super expo with the BMAA next year.

Here is some of the early email feedback received from exhibitors, sponsors and attendees at Expo2012:

"Once again, we all had a fantastic time mixing business with pleasure...I felt this year's expo/convention was one of the best I have ever attended." (sponsor/exhibitor)

"The association has made great strides forward...very professional staging of the trade exhibition...(with) good size and spread of exhibitors..." (member/delegate)

"For us, best expo in 5 years...Numbers were a bit low, but those that came to the stand were engaged...and the quality of leads were excellent." (sponsor/exhibitor)

Young leadership concept is, not only a great idea, but reflects the maturity of the industry body." (member/delegate)

"...another great expo...It was really a step up, great venue and a big open bright space." (exhibitor)

Young leader's rise to the challenge.

Set a challenge to design and build an emergency relief structure for Expo2012, the A2Z team pulled off a narrow victory over the A-Team to win the inaugural Young Leaders Challenge.

As part of the Young Leaders Conference in November 2011, two teams made up of the industry's best and brightest under 35 year olds, were set a challenge to design and build a disaster relief structure in time for Expo2012.

The special purpose structure had to be capable of being easily deployed in an emergency situation.

The structures were judged by Steve Ray, the Australian Red Cross's Manager of International Emergencies the Red Cross during Expo2012 and the winning team was announced at the Awards for Excellence dinner on Monday evening.

In awarding a narrow victory to Team A2Z team over the A Team, Steve Ray said he was extremely impressed by the quality of both structures, and particularly blown away by the commitment the young leader's showed to the challenge.

The winners of the 2012 Young Leader's Challenge, Team A2Z Team, comprised:

• Justin Esdaile, Triax Systems (NSW)
• Angela Courie, Ricky Richards (NSW)
• Leisa Manning, Ricky Richards (NSW)
• Sean Toohey, Nolan UDA (NSW)
• Aaron Purdey, Nolan UDA (NSW)
• Robert Bull, EH Brett & Sons (NSW)
• Michael Guinea, Sail Structures (QLD)
• Chris Smith, Campbell & Heeps (VIC)
• Zoe Smith, Campbell & Heeps (VIC)

The A-Team comprised:

• James Formosa, ABC Products (NSW)
• Christopher Field, ABC Products (NSW)
• Dan Wright, Pattons (NSW)
• Luke Goddard, Rainbow Shade (QLD)
• Albert Malouf, Ricky Richards (NSW)
• Katherine Szczepanska, Ricky Richards (NSW)
• Sarah Lavorator, Ricky Richards (NSW)
• Ben Thorburn, Thorline (QLD)
• Jamie Howard, Total Shade Solutions (QLD)

Max Brady welcomed as honoured life member of the association.

Each year without fail, Max Brady packs his swag and billy – stocks up with plenty of cab sav - and sets off with colleagues Roger Bishop, Jim Kelman and their wives on a camping adventure heading to expo, and this year, also to life membership of the association. 

Max Brady, principal of Darling Downs Tarpaulins (DDT) in Toowoomba, Queensland is the latest recipient of the associations Honoured Life Membership.

Through this award, the association – and his colleagues – recognise Max for his achievements in the geotextiles industry, which include - but are not limited to - his 'big picture' solutions oriented approach, unwavering commitment to quality, passion for his profession, determination to wave the flag for installation and construction technologies and provide a forum for geosynthetics installers, and legendary pre-expo camping adventures.

Here is a snippet of Glenn Barlow's speech at the Awards for Excellence Ceremonial Dinner last Monday in designating Max Brady of Darling Downs Tarpaulins (Qld) with Honoured Life Membership (HLM) of the association.

"Welcome Master Max, to Life Membership of the Specialised Textiles Association, in recognition of your achievements to industry, your willingness to share your knowledge, your reliable ongoing contributions to Connections magazine, and finally, for your all-round assistance and enthusiasm.

We are honoured to have you as a vital player in this vital industry.

Sincere congratulations ... it is well and truly well deserved."

You can read the transcript of the whole speech on our website.

Honoured Life Membership is awarded to individual members of the association who are or have been actively involved in the industry as an end-product manufacturer or supplier and who have made an outstanding contribution to both the industry and association.

In the history of the association dating back to the mid 1940's, only 23 HLM's have been awarded. Our first HLM was awarded in 1966 to John Armstrong of Michaelis Hallenstein & Co, leather tanners and general merchants. Our last inductee in 2009 was Jim Kelman of Wax Converters Textiles in NSW.

Visit our website to find out more about our life members and what you need to do to nominate someone you feel merits future life membership of the association.

2012 Awards for Excellence winners announced.

Fabritecture named overall winner in the 2012 Awards for Excellence for Caxton Street Nightclub Roof project. Jamie Howard named 2012 Young Achiever for his contribution to the Dreamworks Theme Park project.

Congratulations to Fabritecture the Overall Winner of the 2012 Awards for Excellence for the Caxton Street Nightclub Roof project.

The Caxton Street Nightclub Roof project involved the design and construction of a distinctive weatherproof 'halo' like fabric roof structure for a venue, an outdoor lounge bar, to give it an 'indoor-outdoor ' feel that would enable guests to enjoy the venue all year round, even in colder months. The structure also allows for image projection onto internal fabric screens, a unique addition to the solution, which makes the venue stand out from other buildings in the area.

Fabritecture was also named the outright winner of Category 7 Tension Structures (coated fabrics less than 500sqm) for the same project.

Special commendations in this category went to:

• Horizon Sail Structures Pty Ltd for its Georges Paragon Restaurant project, and
• MakMax Australia for its South Hedland Town Centre project.

The other category winners are....

Category 3 Window Coverings, Canopies and Awnings: Domestic and Commercial

• Winner - EH Brett & Sons Pty Limited (Tracking BlindSystem)
• Special commendation - Weathersafe Shades (Arkaba Hotel Outdoor Dining Awning)

Category 5 Shade sails or structures – commercial

• Winner - Abacus Shade Structures (Gungs Place)
• Special commendation - Abacus Shade Structures (Rockdale Council)

Category 6 Tension structures - (coated fabrics) greater than 500sqm

• Winner -Fabritecture (Macquarie University Lotus Theatre
• Special commendation - MakMax Australia (Brisbane Domestic Airport Terminal)
• Special commendation - MakMax Australia (Cabramatta Bowling Club)

Category 7 Tension structures - (coated fabrics) less than 500sqm

• Winner - Fabritecture (Caston Street Nightclub Roof)
• Special commendation - Horizon Sail Structures Pty Ltd (Georges Paragon Restaurant)
• Special commendation - MakMax Australia (South Hedland Town Centre)

Category 8 General

• Winner - Clark Shade Sails (Flemington Race Course Sponsor Chalets)

Category 9 Innovation

• Special commendation -Weathersafe (Portable Shade Sail Structures)

Category 10 Young Achiever Award

• Winner - Jamie Howard, Total Shade Solutions (Dreamworks)

There were no entries in Category 1 Geosynthetic Projects: Liners/Covers and Category 2 Marine, Motor Trim and Transport. There was no winning entry in Category 4 Shade Sails or Structures – Domestic.

Association appoints new president.

Lance St Hill of Fabric Solutions Australia was appointed as the new president of the association. Council of Management also welcomes two new councillors: David Burton of Ricky Richards and Jamie Howard of Total Shade Solutions.

Lance St Hill of Queensland based manufacturer Fabric Solutions Australia is the new president of the Specialised Textiles Association, appointed following its annual general meeting held during Expo2012.

• Tom Gastin of Pattons – Textile Fabrication in NSW has stepped into the role of vice president.
• Kent Williamson of RMIT in Victoria is the new treasurer.
• Gary Smith, Managing Director of Campbell & Heeps in Victoria, will continue in the role of councillor.

Council of Management (COM) welcomes two new councillors: David Burton of Ricky Richards in NSW and Jamie Howard of Total Shade Solutions based in QLD.

Glenn Barlow of Nan's Tarps in NSW has stepped down from COM following the completion of his fixed 3-year term on COM, which included an exceptionally successful presidency.

Brendan Hall of Victoria's Bradmill Outdoor Fabrics also leaves COM having also completed three years on Council of Management in the roles of both President and Treasurer.

Glenn Barlow reflects back on his year as association president.

Nurturing our young leaders, initiating a combined super expo in 2013 with the BMAA and launching the association's new name are just some of the highlights of Glenn Barlow's year as president.

An open letter from Glenn Barlow, president, 2011 -

"Undoubtedly, my biggest highlight over the past 12 months was the introduction of the Young Leaders Conference, held in Sydney in November 2011.

When we were planning a conventional program of learning, sharing and networking, I could never have imagined just how much the group of young leaders in attendance that weekend would not only embrace the concept of leadership but take it to a level none of us even contemplated.

When Bob Cahill of TexConnex split the young leaders into two teams and set them a challenge to design and build a 5-star emergency relief shelter in time for Expo2013, our expectations were high but we never expected to be blown away with the final results: two superb, incredibly finished structures.

Even Young Leader's Challenge competition judge, Steve Ray, the Australian Red Cross's Manager of International Emergencies, a guy who has been immersed in humanitarian emergency work for more than 20 years, was blown away with the finished structures not to mention the young leader's talent and level of commitment to the challenge.

I will never forget the effort these amazing young people put into this task. Or the incredible level of excitement and fulfilment they injected into my year as president. The fact that they have become good mates and life-long business contacts pleases me no end .

I am also incredibly grateful to all the members of the association - many different companies - that contributed valuable resources to the Young Leader's Challenge – time, money, materials, mentoring and so forth. Thank you to all involved. This generous involvement helps our industry continue to grow and become stronger, so as many of us that can get involved, the better and stronger we all will be in the future.

My second biggest highlight would have to be our ongoing talks with the Blind Manufacturers Association of Australia, which has resulted in both associations agreeing to jointly stage a super expo on the Gold Coast in June 2013. This is a collaboration that I believe will be extremely beneficial to our industry as a whole. I for one, am really looking forward to it.

Our name change is another highlight. Having been heavily involved in the name change debate over the past 3 years, it is great now to see our new identity in place and our attentions focussed on other important initiatives like the introduction of accreditation. During the name changeover, I particularly enjoyed presenting the concept to members during our road show in February as well as finally putting some names to their faces.

I am also proud of the work we have done to revamp the Fabric Structure committee, overseeing another successful expo and Awards for Excellence and getting the opportunity to present a legend of the ilk of Max Brady with a life membership,

In my presentation at the Awards for Excellence Ceremonial Dinner last Monday, I forgot to thank the Expo2012 organising committee for their hard work. Chaired by Brendan Hall, Danny, Ali Ozen, Gary Smith, Zoe Smith, Kent Williamson, Ana Drougas and Mina Geremia put together an exceptional program of business and fun. As I chaired the Committee in Sydney I'd love to say the Melbourne crew did as good a job, but I won't! Thanks for your efforts guys.

Finally, I am grateful to have had the chance to work with a highly professional team over the past 12 months. Thank you to my fellow councillors for having the determination and courage to push the association to new heights and thank you to an incredible administration headed by hard working, dedicated Association Manager Ana Drougas.

Regards,

Glenn Barlow"

Specialised Textiles Association, the peak national industry body for industrial textile products, has released a set of Guidelines for the design, fabrication and installation of shade sails.

The Guidelines highlighting that despite shade sails being around from many years as a cost effective and aesthetically attractive shade solution, the growing number of installations and general public interest, required a structured framework to ensure optimal results for all involved. In many ways, these Guidelines formalise what Specialised Textiles Association members have been doing for many years.Specialised Textiles Association members include many professional businesses involved in every aspect of shade sail construction – from architects and engineers specialising in efficient shade design and structural integrity, right the way through to fabric manufacturers and installers.

Specialised Textiles Association, with over 200 members nationally and 60 years of experience in making quality products from the best indsutrial textiles - inckuding shade cloths and architectural PVC's - is ideally placed to set the benchmark for what to expect when purchasing and effective shade sail or tension memberane.

We see it as a major responsibility in the industry to ensure the best possible outcomes in shade design and construction, using fabrics. Indeed many of our membes have reputations worldwide for leading the way in this field. We are also committeed to ensure that the end users which include schools, businesses, restaurants and home owners are provided with a quality product rather than one which is substandard, not meeting shade expectations, or even worse, potentially dangerous because basic design and engineering benchmarks have not been met.

The Specialised Textiles Association Shade Sail Guidelines will help ensure all important aspects are appropriately dealt with, including design, engineering, fabric selection and safe location and installation of the sturcture.

They also provide a common point of refernece regardless of where you ar in Asutralia, also regardless of differing building codes or consumer protection laws from state to state. This was an importnat goal in stablishing the Guidelines and one made possible by our national coverage of membership.  By addressing each of the key areas, the result is an effectice shade solution at a considerable cost saving when compared to a more conventional hard roof structure.

The aesthetic attraction of fabric structures has always been apparant to installers and end users alike. By ensuting these other important areas of design are dealt with, engineering and safety, only improves the outcome for all and ensure Australian manufacturers remain at the forefront, worldwide with shade sails.

The Guidelines are available for use by all Shade Sail Installers.

Click here to download the Guidelines for Shade Sails document