Retractableawnings.com Proudly Featured Five Entries in IFAI's International Achievement Awards at 2008 Expo

For the first time, RetractableAwnings.com entered projects for the International Achievement Awards at the Industrial Fabrics Association International's 2008 competition at its annual expo and trade fair. RetractableAwnings.com submitted five projects in two categories, facing competition from retractable awning and shade companies from Ohio to Australia. The winners of the awards of excellence and achievement were announced in the middle of the expo in Charlotte, NC, in late October.

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) hosts one of the largest trade shows in the world, focusing on all manners of fabrics manufacturing, technology, and application and boasting nearly 500 exhibitors and over 8200 participants. These shows emphasize the evolving creativity, science, and practical application of awnings and shade systems (among dozens of other industrial fabric applications).

The tagline of the IFAI International Achievement Awards is "Create. Enter. Inspire." "These awards increase the appreciation of the beauty and design behind retractable awnings, which is why RetractableAwnings.com decided to compete," said Eric Scop, vice president of Sales and Internet Marketing for RetractableAwnings.com. "We see that beauty, design, and efficiency with every customer we have; the competition allowed us to display that."

Over 350 entrants competed in 28 categories for recognition of their projects. A panel of architects, designers, and other experts judged the entries on complexity, uniqueness, workmanship, function, and overall design.

RetractableAwnings.com had one entry in the "Exterior Shades" category, dramatic blue-on-turquoise striped drop screens enclosing both ground floor and second story porch areas on a pristine white house. They had four entries in the "Retractable Awning and Canopies" category:
• Striking blue and turquoise striped lateral arm awnings, contrasting with a white modern home, encircling an icy blue swimming pool and marble fountain;
• Sporty brick red awnings installed back to back along a central frame, creating a kind of butterfly effect, to cover seating areas along tennis courts;
• A dramatic cherry red awning over a balcony, with an unusual truss mount;
• Demure sand-colored drop arm awnings covering large, angled windows on a futuristic beige beach house.

"We faced stiff competition," said Scop, "but we're proud of the work we've done for each and every single one of our customers."

All entries were displayed prominently at the expo arena, something Scop said is important. "Effective retractable awnings, along with being functional, are visually striking," he explained. "Thousands of people were able to see and experience what RetractableAwnings.com created for our customers."

About RetractableAwnings.com
Retractableawnings.com has been shipping all types of retractable sun, wind and rain protection systems to residential, commercial, and institutional customers worldwide since 1998. Products manufactured include, but are not limited to, retractable lateral arm awnings, retractable window awnings, retractable vertical drop awnings, retractable telescoping awnings, retractable patio cover systems, retractable canopy awnings and retractable side arm awnings. All products are available with wind, rain, motion, and sun sensors. For more information, call 305-628-2424 or 1-866-GET-AWNINGS (1-866-438-2964), email sales@retractableawnings.com, or visit www.retractableawnings.com