The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) recently completed the process of developing a new logo, with members of the MFA board of directors and other association members involved in the process. A task force completed the work on the logo and new tagline.

The MFA exists to serve its members and to be the source for innovation in marine fabrication, a message that has been incorporated into the design.  The division’s goal is to make it a recognizable graphic for members and consumers.

Hood was certified as a Master Fabrics Craftsman in Marine Exterior on November 28, 2011.  As a member of a select group of certified professionals, Hood has gained experience through continued professional development, contributed to the advancement of specialty fabric products and has endorsed the Code of Ethics of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) reflecting ethical business leadership and management practices.

To become professionally certified through IFAI, individuals participate in project submission, essay questions and written exams that test knowledge of the principles and practices of exterior marine custom fabrication.

The recipient of the MFA Membership Scholarship is Larissa LeClair sponsored by Carriage House Canvas of Betterton, MD. The scholarship is funded by the MFA a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International.

LeClair is a student atTowsonUniversitypursuing a degree in Accounting. She has been involved with the Towson Equestrian Club as well as working for Carriage House Canvas. Her degree in Accounting will allow her to follow her dream of opening her own shop. LeClairs dedication to her goal of pursuing higher education and obtaining a degree is inspiring.

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 MFA Member Scholarship award, applicants must be employed by or related to an employee of a MFA member company.

Applications for the next MFA scholarship award will be available in January 2012. 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(a)(3) organization dedicated to education and research in specialty fabrics. For information on the IFF or our scholarship programs, please contact the IFF at 651 225 6545 or blhungiville@ifai.com.

Members and non members of the association are encouraged to enter into the annual awards program. All projects entered into the program are promoted on the MFA website. Winning entries receive additional promotion on the website, in Marine Fabricator magazine and a professional plaque to display in your showroom.

Judging takes place at the 2012 MFA National Convention by a panel of industry experts who are Master Fabric Craftsman (MFC) certified will conduct the judging. Criteria used in judging are design, craftsmanship, originality and difficulty. Two outstanding achievements and one award of excellence are given in each category.

On-line entries are now being accepted - deadline to enter is December 16, 2011.

 - Marine Powerboat Covers
- Marine Powerboat Tops – Soft Enclosures
- Marine Powerboat Tops – Hard Enclosures
- Marine Upholstery
- Marine Sailboats

- Auto & Transportation Upholstery
- Residential Upholstery
- Commercial Upholstery

 Read more about IAA categories

 View 2010 IAA Winners  

 How do I enter? 

Click to here enter online. Entrants need jpeg images (at least 1 mg) and a description of the project, which includes the purpose of the project, what the client requested, and what is unique about it.

 What do winners get?

Winners are featured on the IFAI website and IFAI sends a press release to the industry media. You will also receive an award to display on the wall of your awning business, and an award logo for your company website, email tag and/or business card.  

 Special Offer

Enter IAA before June 15, 2011 and we will waive the $50.00 registration fee and you'll receive four FREE entries as an IFAI member.

 We look forward to receiving your spectacular marine work.  For more information about IAA, contact Christine Malmgren, IAA manager at +1 651 225 6926, +1 800 207 0657, or awards@ifai.com.

The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) announced the 2011 Membership Scholarship award in the amount of $2,000.

This scholarship 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 MFA Member Scholarship award, applicants must be employed by or related to an employee of a MFA member company. This scholarship is awarded by the Industrial Fabrics Foundation but funded by a donation from MFA.

The deadline to return a completed application is May 13, 2011.

For more information, contact the MFA office at +1 651 225 6952 or email blhungiville@ifai.com to request an application.

Winners of each of the categories are entered into the IFAI International Achievement Awards. Winning projects receive media exposure including press releases written and distributed to trade and consumer media outlets, and featured in Marine Fabricator magazine and on the MFA website. Winners also receive an award plaque.

Winners are selected based on design, craftsmanship, originality and difficulty. Award of Excellence and Outstanding Achievement Award winners are announced during the awards dinner at the annual national convention.

The 2011 MFA Fabrication Excellence Award winners are:

Cockpit covers

Outstanding Achievement Award
Protective cover for mahogany finish
Cape Canvas & Rigging
West Yarmouth, Mass.

Cockpit upholstery

Award of Distinction/Award of Excellence
Fountain cockpit upholstery
Paul’s Custom Canvas Inc.
Denver, Colo.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Flooded boat transformation
The Nautical Needle
Holland, Mich.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Pontoon repair
Paul’s Custom Canvas Inc.
Denver, Colo.

Complete interior upholstery

Award of Excellence
Fabric walls and headliner
Watkins Custom Sewing Inc.
Wanchese, N.C.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Picnic boat reupholster
Nautilux Custom Canvas LLC
Hazlet, N.J.

Dodgers

Award of Excellence
California dodger
Bennett Custom Canvas Inc.
Toronto, Ontario

Outstanding Achievement Award
Dodger poles redesign and re-cover
Canvas by Victoria
Worton, Md.

Exterior upholstery

Award of Excellence
Yacht cushions
Custom Canvas of Charleston
North Charleston, S.C.

Full covers 27' and up

Award of Excellence
Winter cover
Seacanvas
Egg Harbor Township, N.J.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Custom-fit winter cover
Bennett Custom Canvas Inc.
Toronto, Ontario

Outstanding Achievement Award
Two-section cover
Nautilux Custom Canvas LLC
Hazlet, N.J.

Full covers under 27'

Award of Excellence
Florida storage cover
Riverside Covers
Fort Myers, Fla.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Fishing boat cover
Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas
Virginia Beach, Va.

Full exterior canvas sailboat 27’ and up

Outstanding Achievement Award
Traditional sailboat enclosure
Canvas by Victoria
Worton, Md.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Sailboat cockpit coverage
Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas
Virginia Beach, Va.

Full exterior canvas powerboat 27’ and up

Award of Excellence
Tiara overhaul
Canvas Innovations
Holland, Mich.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Biminis and clear enclosure
Riverside Covers
Fort Myers, Fla.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Complete yacht enclosure
Seacanvas
Egg Harbor Township, N.J.

Full exterior canvas powerboat under 27’

Outstanding Achievement Award
Clear powerboat enclosure
Seacanvas
Egg Harbor Township, N.J.

Miscellaneous

Award of Excellence
Doglsed bag
CYA Canvas
Helena, Mont.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Gazebo
The Nautical Needle
Holland, Mich.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Hummer golf cart
Signature CanvasMakers
Hampton, Va.

Rigid enclosures

Award of Excellence
Soft to rigid window enclosure
Canvas Innovations
Holland, Mich.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Flybridge hardtop
Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas
Virginia Beach, Va.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Three-sided enclosure
Seacanvas
Egg Harbor Township, N.J.

Soft enclosures

Award of Excellence
Full-aft enclosure
Bennett Custom Canvas Inc.
Toronto, Ontario

Outstanding Achievement Award
Curtained enclosure
Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas
Virginia Beach, Va.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Fisherman cover
Nautilux Custom Canvas LLC
Hazlet, N.J.

Tops 27' and up

Award of Excellence
Sunshade over cockpit
Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas
Virginia Beach, Va.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Banded catamaran top
Mariner Canvas Company
New Bern, N.C.

Outstanding Achievement Award
Deluxe bimini top
Mariner Canvas Company
New Bern, N.C.

For more information on the 2011 MFA Fabrication Excellence Award program, contact Beth L. Hungiville, MFA Managing Director, 1801 County Road B West, Roseville, MN 55223; +1 651 225 6952; blhungiville@ifai.com, or visit marinecanvas.com

MFA is a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), a not-for-profit trade association whose member companies represent the international specialty fabric marketplace.

Always the premier showcase of the marine fabricator industry’s latest products, this year’s convention will feature new fabrication techniques, hands-on demonstrations, visits to marine canvas shops and outstanding opportunities for one-on-one contact with customers and peers.

In conjunction with the convention, MFA will hold its annual Fabrication Excellence Awards program. The competition is designed to recognize excellence in marine fabrication. Winning entries will be announced and showcased during the convention’s awards banquet.

MFA strengthens the marine fabrication industry by providing resources and programs for marine fabricators and establishing standards of excellence for business practice, products and craftsmanship.

For more information on the 2012 MFA National Convention, contact Beth Hungiville, MFA Managing Director, 1801 County Road B West, Roseville, MN  55223; +1 651 225 6952; blhungiville@ifai.com; visit www.marinecanvas.com.

MFA is a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), a not-for-profit trade association whose member companies represent the international specialty fabric 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.

The Paradise Point Resort was the perfect setting for a marine fabrication convention, surrounded by water and beautiful exotic foliage. The convention held educational sessions, hands-on demonstrations and visits to local canvas shops to make for a great variety of learning experiences. The convention opened with keynote speaker Charlene Clark, of Signature Canvasmakers, discussing the mystery of social media. Clark discussed the most popular varieties of social media while giving real examples of how a marine fabrication shop can use social media to grow their business.

Industry experts presented on a variety of topics such as yacht bedding, pillows and window treatments, high end travel and storage covers, what’s wrong with this design, foam selections and shaping, dodger varieties and designs, tools, tips and tricks, fabric selection – interior and exterior, and patterning exterior accessories. During the MFA annual meeting it was announced that the association would be launching a new website in February 2011.

For more information on the 2011 MFA National Convention, contact Beth Hungiville, MFA Managing Director, 1801 County Road B West, Roseville, MN  55223; +1 651 225 6952; blhungiville@ifai.com; visit www.marinecanvas.com.

MFA is a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), a not-for-profit trade association whose member companies represent the international specialty fabric 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.