Activating and using outdoor space, particularly rooftops, for bars, nightclubs and restaurants will continue as a major trend in the hospitality arena, according to outdoor textile manufacturer MDT-Tex, who saw sales of its customized shade structures increase significantly in the last half of 2010.

MDT-Tex is the leading designer and manufacturer of large-scale sunshade systems and serves a variety of hospitality interests, including trendy nightclubs and rooftop oases, to posh hotels and restaurants. For 20 years, MDT has been collaborating with architects and designers worldwide to develop unique, customized umbrellas and shade structures that harmonize perfectly with the surrounding architecture.

One of the most unique design elements for rooftops is MDT's Tulip umbrella, said Joel Linton, MDT's vice president of business development. The Tulip is showcased at Chicago's Witt Hotel "Roof" Lounge, the Encore Beach Club at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas and at the Hookah Lounge in Mexico City. Additionally, it was featured on the grounds at the 2010 U.S. Open Tennis Tournament in Flushing, N.Y. this August.

"Today's restaurant and bar patrons seek out venues with aesthetic appeal and as such the establishment becomes a preferred destination, driving sustainable revenue and profits," says Linton. "Our customers, who include hotel and restaurant designers, architects, along with chain hotel executives and independent owners, tell us that our Tulip combines the elegance and functionality that attracts patrons and keeps them coming back."

In addition to rooftop design, MDT collaborates with designers to transform outdoor areas into attractive, usable spaces, allowing customers to make full use of patios, plazas, courtyards, rooftops and other outdoor spaces. The company controls the entire production process in its own factories throughout Europe, allowing for complete control and reliable delivery.