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The Bar Has Been Raised
International Window Film Expo, Conference and Tint-Off™ 2008
The window film industry is
constantly evolving. But one
part of the industry has
evolved at an exponential rate recently:
its customers. The green
movement and a slow economy
have led homeowners to begin exploring
energy (and thereby money)
saving options, but it also has led
those same consumers to develop a
scrupulous eye. As of May 3, 2008,
several hundred professionals left
this year’s International Window
Film Expo, Conference and Tint-
Off™ (IWFE) more qualified to meet
these challenging opportunities.
Early Birds Got the Worm
Early birds were rewarded as
Speaker Dave McFadyen held them
on the edge of their seats while he
shared insights to help dealers
improve their businesses.
McFadyen, who owned American
Window Tinting for 12 years, covered
operational, sales and marketing,
and financial best practices
from a window film point of view.
In an opening session, WINDOW
FILM’s editor, Drew Vass, shared
some the past year’s events and
explained how they often link to
create opportunities. Vass then
turned the session over to Brett
Webster, product manager for
Venture Tape Corp. in Rockland,
Mass., who covered advancements
in paint protection technologies
and provided key considerations
for any window film dealer looking
to capitalize on this segment.
Webster said window film dealers
who wish to provide paint protection
as a side product would need to
do their homework and be able to
provide a complete installation in
two hours or less in order to be
competitive. In a later session, Dana
Curtis covered technologies that
can help dealers meet this goal by
utilizing plotter systems and pattern
software. Curtis covered the ins and
outs of selecting and implementing a
plotter system then provided a live
demonstration followed by a question-
and-answer session.
Tying into Webster’s presentation,
Barry Edwards, president of Aegis
Films in Norcross, Ga., provided an
overview of the automotive market.
Edwards provided key statistics,
including expected new car production
levels and explained that his
company anticipates the automotive
film industry to remain strong.
Edwards message was later echoed
by keynote speaker Christophe
Fremont, president of Bekaert
Specialty Films in San Diego, who
delivered a spirited message to a
standing-room-only crowd of more
than 120 attendees. Fremont also
advised taking full advantage of
industry associations—citing
numerous points shared by Darrell
Smith, executive director of the
International Window Film
Association (IWFA), in his prior session.
(Read more on Fremont’s
speech on page 28 of this issue.)
Inspiring Short Courses
IWFE boasted a number of sessions
aimed to deliver the “shortcourse”
on various areas of improving
any window film business.
Ed Golda, president of Michigan
Glass Coatings Inc., addressed the
issue of softer times by explaining
how dealers can manage to prosper
in a down market; Dan Molloy and
his partner Mel Auston of Molloy
LLC enlightened attendees with
sales techniques centered on effective
sales language; Kathryn Giblin,
vice president of global marketing
and technical services for Bekaert
Specialty Films, tackled the green
movement; and Mike Raymond of
ASTIC Signals Defenses LLC brought
dealers up to speed on the signals
defense market, to name a few.
Teaming Up
Being co-located with the
Independent Glass Association’s
Spring Auto Glass Show and
Americas Glass Showcase gave
IWFE attendees the advantage of
rubbing elbows with a sister industry.
The conference portion of this
year’s event wrapped up with a
glass industry update, provided by
Donn Harter of the Americas Glass
Association.
Never has there been a more critical
time for window film professionals
to grow and learn. And this
year’s event left several hundred
ready to meet the modern challenges
this industry faces.
Showcase
In between educational sessions
and watching the Tint-Off™, attendees
had the opportunity to rub
elbows with some new and favorite
manufacturers.
Aegis Films
Aegis Films had a crew on hand
to promote everything from the
company’s premium films and
ClearBra paint protection, to plotters
and software. The Norcross,
Ga.-based manufacturer’s Acuity
Architectural Films are made from
all metal laminates and ultraviolet
(UV) protection is built into all layers
as well as in between laminates
to provide a high level of UV
protection. www.1800gettint.com
Bekaert Specialty Films
Bekaert had a full staff at IWFE to
demonstrate the company’s plotter
system, Specularis software and
full film lineup. Live demonstrations
showed how the company’s
Panorama dealers utilize
Specularis to produce reports and
sales packages including accurate
impact predictions based on project
parameters. In addition to
inputting building characteristics,
the software also uses historical
weather data and sun positioning. www.bekaertfilms.com
Johnson Window Films
Johnson Window Film’s booth
promoted all of the company’s
offerings, including Insulatir—an
IR-rejecting, ceramic film that the
company says is long-lasting and
wireless-signal-friendly. The
Carson, Calif.-based company also
had a number of free handouts for
visitors including its handy tool
pouches.
www.johnsonwindowfilms.com
Madico Inc.
Madico drew a crowd with its
complete line-up of films, including
everything from decorative and
impact resistant to premium automotive
products.
The company’s Onyx® and
Charcool® lines provide nearly
100-percent ultraviolet protection
and block more than 66 percent of
the sun’s heat, according to
Madico. www.madico.com
UltraFilm USA
UltraFilm parked a Ferrari F40 in
its booth this year. The company’s
complete portfolio of value-priced,
premium and specialty window
film lines also drew a crowd while a
mini-lab setup demonstrated its
special plasma process. www.ultrafilm-usa.com
Roland ASD
Roland Advanced Solutions Division
(ASD) provided live demonstrations of
its plotter systems and Film Designs
Pro software. This advanced system
allows film professionals to add
designs, logos and text to window film
patterns. www.rolandasd.com
WINDOW FILM
© Copyright 2008 Key Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.
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