The phrase “show, don’t tell” is perfectly embodied at the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Roadshow, which took place Nov. 5, 2026, during Advanced Textiles Expo^®.

This is a hands-on, in-depth session hosted by the MFA that shares presenters’ knowledge about how to do certain projects. Presenters use live demonstrations to offer lively education.

The first session for the 2026 roadshow, “Building a U-Zip,” was hosted by Jeff Newkirk, MFC, and Olivia Dobbie, owner and production manager, respectively, of Precision Custom Canvas Inc. in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. The presenters showed each step of the process, answering questions and providing advice along the way. After they finished, attendees were able to come up and feel the U-Zip afterward and check out the details of the work.

The second session, “Window Fabrication: Tips, Tricks and Techniques,” was presented by Greg Keeler, owner of Oyster Creek Canvas in Bellingham, Wash. He showed how he fabricates windows and answered any questions fellow fabricators had about their own work, based on the types of projects they typically complete.

The final session, “Patterning with Canvex: Custom Covers for Any Shape and Size,” was presented by Jess Flegel, production manager at Oyster Creek Canvas. Flegel demonstrated the versatility of Canvex and walked through each step of how she utilizes the material in a project, allowing attendees to come forward and view her work.

The three hours of education at the roadshow is a taste of what marine fabricators can expect every year at the Marine Fabricators Conference, which will be Jan. 7-9, 2027, in Nashville, Tenn. The show will offer session topics such as marine canvas and fabric selection, digital patterning, and frame bending basics.