Talking Textiles

In this episode of Talking Textiles, Apurba Banerjee talks with Danielle Jones, Lindsey Hynek, and Samantha Marion about their unique career paths and the different roles they play across the textile industry. They explore how women are shaping the industry, the value of mentorship and confidence, and the opportunities for women entering textiles today. It's a conversation about finding your path, building connections, and making an impact in a diverse and evolving industry.

In this episode of Talking Textiles, Kevin Vasquez, TRD Advisory Board member and Chair of the Code and Education Committee, takes a deep dive into event safety, tent liability, and risk management. Joined by Richard Nix of ESTA and Doug Bruce of ESA, they explore why developing a comprehensive site and weather plan well before event day is essential to creating safer, successful events. The conversation also covers proper staking and ballasting, the importance of pre-event collaboration, weather preparedness, and effective evacuation planning. Kevin, Richard, and Doug discuss TRD's Safe Tenting Professional Certification program and the ongoing collaboration with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to promote stronger safety practices and safer events across the industry.

Jonathan Sweet, ATA, sits down with Richard Martin from Pro Em to discuss his company's tent installation for the UFC 250 at the White House. Richard shares about the unique challenges of working with government bodies in Washington, DC, such as complexities of the bidding process, and stringent security requirements. He covers what it was like being in the national spotlight, and how the project scope evolved as more stakeholders became involved. Martin also touches on safe tent installation practices, his team, and leaning on the tent industry for assistance.

In this episode of Talking Textiles, host Michael Woody speaks with Dr. Karl Aspelund of the University of Rhode Island about the growing future of the textile industry and the importance of collaboration between academia, manufacturers, and community organizations. Together, they explore the origins and impact of the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network, efforts to close the textile skills gap, and the development of regionally focused workforce education programs designed to reconnect students with modern textile manufacturing.

Listen in as Dan Litster [Keyston Bros] sits down with featured guests Michael Yungman, [Yungman Engineering], Ethan Halpern [American Awning and Blind Co.], and Scott Neville, [Welhener – H.B. Wall Awning and Kansas City Tent and Awning Co.]. Yungman shares on how he became interested in engineering and his experiences with his clients. The conversation covers communication with your engineer and your customers. The guests touch on building relationships, the design process and problem solving, surveying your site, and identifying the scope of work.

Listen in as Jasmine Cox, Executive Director at Gaston College's Textile Technology Center and ETC Chair, interviews, Lynn Wagner, Senior Research Textile Manager, FASTR Lab at the University of Maine and ETC Board Member. The discussion focuses on the Fiber & Specialty Textiles Research (FASTR) Lab at the University of Maine. The lab is a is a state-of-the-art research and development facility dedicated to advancing the frontiers of industrial fabrics. Lynn notes that while the university does not directly teach textiles, it emphasizes advanced composites, where materials can function as sensors or integral components within larger systems. Learn more as the discussion continues about priorities for the lab and student work within the lab.

Kyle Van Damme, MFC [Marine Tops Unlimited], got together with Mike Boatman [Boatman Marine Canvas], and Justin Jones [SewLong Custom Covers] to talk about branding and rebranding your marine canvas business. The importance of being consistent across your digital and social media platforms to build customer trust and company perception was discussed. Using brand as a tool to take your company to the next level, along with being intentional about your brand at the start of your business was covered. Plus, tips on when it's important to transition to a rebrand and how making gradual changes is key to rebrand success.

Julie Tinsman [Strataglass LLC] sat down with featured guests: Charlene Clark, IFM [Signature CanvasMakers LLC], Jeff Newkirk, MFC [Precision Custom Canvas], and Andrew Oatley [Oatley's Top Shop] at the Advanced Textiles Expo to talk about seasonal business. They covered the year-round business and strategies for slow times, from products to training to business improvements, to setting expectations with customers during peak times. They shared on common client misconceptions about being a skilled trade, negotiating for a better price, and trying to jump ahead of other customers.

Liz Johnson [Brookwood Companies] sits down with featured guests Tanya Wade [Manufacturing Solutions Center at CVCC]; Jennifer Fennell [Polo Custom Products]; and Robert Finnegan [AFFOA] to record a live podcast from Advanced Textiles Expo 2025, focusing on how to assess and hire talent. They open by exploring key qualities to define strong candidates—such as drive, curiosity, adaptability, and a desire to contribute to a larger purpose. The discussion then shifts to the importance of educating prospective workers about the opportunities within the industry and the landscape of today's industrial fabric trades. The guests also highlight the value of creating environments that support work–life balance, foster leadership development, and offer pathways of innovation and technology growth. They conclude by discussing innovative training tools like Thread X, which uses augmented technology to help train employees on manufacturing processes.