2002 - Volume 1 - JEFF. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics

THE WORLD OF
ASSOCIATIONS
TAPPI’s ‘Ask the Experts’
One of the interesting features of
TAPPI’s newly revised Internet site
(www.tappi.org) is an online service
entitled “Ask the Experts.” This service
connects TAPPI members with industry
experts who can and are willing to provide
ideas, resources, and hopefully,
solutions to problems and questions that
are submitted.
The panel of experts for this service is
recruited from TAPPI members. Each
expert is identified by name and photo,
along with a profile giving their areas of
expertise in a “List of Experts.” Also,
there is an “Industry Segment” listing,
which categorizes the technology areas
covered. Questions submitted by segment
are directed to an appropriate
expert. These categories include the following:
Pulp
Wood Products
Paper
Paper Converting
Paper Coating
Corrugating Materials
Nonwovens
Packaging
Engineering and Utilities
Other
The inquirer sends a question directly
to one of the experts, or to an Industry
Segment for response; the expert replies
directly to the questioner, all via e-mail.
Once a response has been provided, it is
listed in a previously answered Q&A
page, so that other members have access
to the dialogue.
The expert agrees to respond to the
question within two days. If an expert is
going to be unavailable for a period, a
note is placed by that name, indicating
when the expert will be available again.
At a point two weeks after inaugurating
the site, 64 experts had signed up for
service. The association is actively
seeking additional experts to participate
in the service (Contact Jennie Lazarus,
Knowledge Management Administrator
jlazarus@tappi.org; 770-209-7237; Fax
770-446-6947.)
INDA Test Methods Kit
When two nonwoven technologists
from opposite sides of the world get
together, they can usually understand
each other on technical points. This is
possible because of standardized test
methods — methods that are equivalent
whether you are from Moscow/Idaho
Moscow/Russia, Manila, Milan,
Madrid, Manchester or Miami.
INDA has a resource that compares
nonwoven test methods developed by
six international and authoritative organizations,
including AATCC, ASTM,
EDANA INDA, ISO/CEN and TAPPI.
The is entitled 2000 Global Comparison
of Test Methods. When this item is
combined with the latest INDA test
methods manual — INDA Standard
Test Methods Manual (STM) 2001 — it
is the 2001 Test Method Kit, a combination
that insures wide technical communication
without the usual confusion.
These two publications are available
as a unit, 2001 Test Methods Kit, at a
special price ($300 to INDA members,
$415 to non-members) from INDA
headquarters. Also, the individual publications
can be purchased separately.
The table of contents of each book can
be viewed and the books can be purchased
at the INDA website —
www.inda.org.
Co-Location of Textile Shows
Discussions are underway by several
North American trade associations to
INJ DEPARTMENTS
adopt the concept of “Co-location” for
related trade shows at some time in the
future. “Co-location” involves the concept
of single-location and same-time
presentation for closely related trade
shows, exhibitions and conferences.
While such coordinated efforts will
involve closeness in time and location,
individual events will not lose their
identity. Each show will maintain its
own uniqueness and physical separation
from the cooperating exhibition or exhibitions.
Attendees will benefit by saving
time and expenses involved in traveling
to different locations at different times
of the year. It is anticipated that such an
arrangement will appeal not only to
North American participants, but especially
to visitors and attendees from foreign
countries.
Current plans call for the concurrent
presentations to take place in Atlanta,
GA, with its excellent exhibition facilities
at the Georgia World Congress
Center, and also the very strong infrastructure
of transportation, hotel, dining
and entertainment facilities in Atlanta.
Positive responses for using this
umbrella concept have come to the original
organizers, the sponsors of
American Textile Machinery
Exhibition-International (ATME-I) and
the Annual Exposition of Industrial
Fabrics Association International (IFAI
Expo). These positive responses have
come from numerous textile, apparel
and industrial groups such as INDA,
AATCC, American Fiber
Manufacturers Association, Knitted
Textile Association, The Hosiery
Association and several others.
Because of the transition steps
required and the necessity of advanced
planning, initiation of this approach is
proposed to occur by November of
2006. As can be appreciated, much
work will have to be done before Colocation
is a reality. With the substantial
interest in the concept and the recognized
need for such new management
approaches, it is to be hoped that these
concepts can reach fruition. — INJ
INJ Spring 2002 53