For many involved in nonwovens, the last several months have centered largely around preparation for IDEA 2007, this year’s big nonwovens-related trade show, which will be held later this month in Miami Beach. Held just once every three years, IDEA is returning to Miami Beach for the third straight installment, giving nonwovens executives the opportunity to enjoy some warm weather a little bit early, see the sights of South Beach and, most importantly, see what new products and services the industry has to offer.
    
This issue of Nonwovens Industry includes pages upon pages of IDEA Show information to help you make the most of your IDEA Show experience. On page 32, we present a list of exhibitors and booth numbers to help you narrow down whom you want to visit at the show and on page 40 is a more complete exhibitor listing with addresses, phone and fax numbers, websites and email addresses. This is followed by previews of what some exhibitors plan to present at IDEA 2007 (page 86), a continuation of a feature we published in March. We hope that all of this information provides you with a comprehensive preview of IDEA 2007, whether you plan to attend the show or not.
    
And, if you aren’t attending, don’t worry. The editorial staff of Nonwovens Industry will be there, and we will publish all of the news from the show both in real time on our website, nitesh_non.rodpub.com, and after the show in our May and June issues.
    
In addition to our comprehensive IDEA Show coverage, this edition of Nonwovens Industry contains a number of interesting features. Associate editor Ellen Wuagneux writes about two important nonwovens areas—roofing and construction on page 112 and flame retardants on page 122, and one of New York’s bravest, NYFD Lieutenant Michael Ciampo discusses firefighting gear and technology on page 136. Find out how firefighters are relying more on nonwovens technology to keep them safe from harm.

Karen Bitz McIntyre
Editor
[email protected]