The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) announces its leading international trade event, Specialty Fabrics Expo 2014 and the expanded Advanced Textiles Expo to be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn., Oct. 14-16, 2014. The event is the largest specialty fabrics and technical textiles trade show event in the Americas.

The flagship specialty fabrics show will continue on its great success, focusing on the needs of the traditional market segments, while the Advanced Textiles Expo will meet the needs of the top level of the industry supply chain, serving roll goods suppliers, materials and other products and services for advanced applications as well as advanced product fabrication. The specialty fabrics show is designed to align with IFAI's publication, Specialty Fabrics Review, while the advanced textiles show aligns with the newly introduced Advanced Textiles Source, a digital publication by IFAI.

The show will also feature comprehensive programming designed to help attendees understand the current specialty fabrics markets, end-user applications, emerging markets, advanced technologies and the future of fabric products. Attendees can expect professional business sessions and roundtables, outstanding networking events, keynote speakers and CEU credits for architects. The 2014 show also features the third annual ShowStoppers awards competition, displaying innovative products and services, and the International Achievement Awards.

Minneapolis is the backdrop for decision makers and influential goods and services providers from across the industry and around the world as they come together to research, buy, network and learn. The business climate in Minneapolis is top-notch as the area is headquarters to 20 Fortune 500 companies and is the heart of the country's bio-medical industry.

The area is home to a thriving arts scene, as well as the #1 tourist destination in the United States, the Mall of America. Visitors will relish in a world-class culinary experience, with restaurants serving up award-winning delights from around the world. Plus, navigating the city is a breeze, with an eight-mile climate-controlled skyway interconnecting shopping, restaurants, entertainment and more.

About IFAI

The Industrial Fabrics Association International is the world's leading and longest-running specialty fabrics trade organization since 1912, with nearly 1,800 member companies located in 55 countries. IFAI publishes seven market-specific magazines and organizes global industry events.