Tecsew, a U.K.-based leader in the design, manufacture and installation of premium marine canvas, hosted its first global industry event in Lee-on-Solent in September 2024. 

Initially conceived as a European forum for collaboration, the event ultimately included 47 participants from 12 different countries: Australia, Brazil, the U.S. and Canada, as well as industry leaders from The Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Croatia, Sweden, Finland, Norway and the U.K. 

With interactive showcases, panel discussions, and networking sessions, the event fostered an atmosphere of knowledge-sharing and collaboration, which left attendees both energized and motivated.

“The hospitality, professionalism and openness were beyond all expectations,” says Igor Vashchilov, Drakkar Service D.O.O., Vodnjan, Croatia. “The amount of information on various topics made my brain steam by the end of every day.”

For Antonios Giatras, Giatras Boat Covers, Corfu, Greece, what really stood out was, “getting to know new important techniques that other fabricators use and meeting interesting people with the same interests.” 

Event highlights included hands-on demonstrations of advanced manufacturing techniques and expert panels discussing emerging trends in marine canvas with a focus on sustainable materials, enhanced durability, functional design and global networking.

“We are thrilled by the incredible response and participation,” says John Bland, one of Tecsew’s directors. “This event has sparked lasting connections and new possibilities for innovation in our industry.”

Bland says Tecsew is considering plans for future international conferences and attendees expressed their hopes that this gathering will become an annual event. 

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MFA Regional Workshops offer connection and creativity

The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Southeast Regional Workshop held Oct. 17-18, 2024, at Great Lakes Boat Top, Vonore, Tenn., and the MFA Great Lakes Regional Workshop held Nov. 15-16, 2024, at Marine Tops Unlimited in Omro, Wis., offered robust networking and hands-on education in a buzzing shop setting.  

Educational sessions included management efficiency processes, bows and biminis, gauges, sewing and binding; EVA foam flooring, boat support systems, frame bending, pricing and estimating projects, enclosure panel construction, U-zip use, upholstery techniques, 2D patterning, 3D digital measurement tips and more. In addition to the educational sessions, the workshops included tabletop exhibits, networking events and an in-depth shop tour of both marine shops. Information about the 2025 MFA Regional Workshops will be coming soon.

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Still time to register for marine events 

The North East Canvas Products Association (NECPA) 2025 Expo and Conference will be held January 28-30 in Atlantic City, N.J. The 2025 theme is “Raging into the Future: Full Steam Ahead” and will take place at the Showboat Hotel Atlantic City. For more information, visit NECPA.org.

The Chesapeake Marine Canvas Association Convention (CMCFA) is taking place Feb. 13–15, 2025, at the Hyatt Resort and Conference Center in Cambridge, Md. The event also features marine canvas fabrication sessions. Visit CMCFA.org for registration information and more details.

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IAA Awards announced 

The 2024 International Achievement Awards (IAA) drew more than 200 entries across 46 categories, with winning projects selected for their complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and function. The judging panel included industry experts, editors, architects, educators and design professionals. 

The top winner in the Marine category was Kustom Canvas & Vinyl, Queensland, Australia, for its dramatic Grand Banks Transformation project (featured on the cover of this issue). The project also received a 2024 Award of Excellence in the MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards. To explore all the marine entries and read detailed project descriptions, visit iaa.textiles.org.

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MFA Board Notes 

The 2025 MFA Conference Program Committee has worked hard putting together the great event that took place this month in Corpus Christi, Texas. Here is the National Conference Committee team behind all the planning for this event:

Mike Charpentier (chair)
Paul’s Custom Canvas

Jeff Newkirk, MFC
Precision Custom Canvas

Jamie Marozzi
Keyston Bros.

Justin Jones
SewLong Custom Covers 

Camari Henderson
Camari’s Custom Canvas 

A big thank you to all the committee members for volunteering their time and working hard all year long to make this event a success!