CARY, N.C., Oct. 13, 2026 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has opened registration for IDEA®27, the premier global event for the nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry, taking place March 23-25, 2027, at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Participants can register for IDEA27 at https://events.american-tradeshow.com/IDEA27.
Expected to bring together more than 4,000 industry professionals and 400 exhibitors from across the nonwovens value chain, IDEA27 will provide three days of business development, sourcing, innovation and industry connection. Exhibitors will showcase the latest materials, technologies, equipment and solutions serving markets including hygiene, medical, filtration, automotive, geotextiles, building and construction, and home furnishings.
“IDEA is where the global nonwovens industry comes together to discover what’s next, strengthen business relationships and turn new ideas into opportunities,” said Ben Muller, executive director of INDA. “IDEA27 will bring together the people, technologies and expertise that drive our industry forward, and we look forward to welcoming the global nonwovens community to Kansas City.”
INDA Members Receive Show Floor Pass at No Charge
INDA recognizes the economic pressures and market uncertainty our industry is facing and its impact on our members’ ability to convene and connect. To facilitate members building relationships, sourcing solutions, identifying new opportunities, and moving business forward, INDA Members can receive an IDEA®27 show floor pass at no charge in 2027.
RISE® Technology Conference Joins IDEA27
For the first time since its inception, the RISE® Technology Conference will be held in conjunction with IDEA27, expanding the event's technical content and providing professionals with greater access to emerging technologies and innovations that have the potential to influence future products and processes.
The combination of RISE and IDEA27 will create a comprehensive experience connecting forward-looking technical content with commercial technologies, market developments and business opportunities across the show floor.
The reformatted RISE program will highlight innovation across the full spectrum of development, including fundamental and corporate research, upstream innovation and performance-driven applications. Designed to be broadly applicable across markets, the program will provide actionable technical insights for professionals throughout the global nonwovens value chain.
Details on the RISE conference program will be announced in the coming months and available on the IDEA27 website.
IDEA27 Professional Development
IDEA27 will begin Monday, March 22, with six professional development courses designed to build technical knowledge and address key nonwoven market applications.
Course offerings will include an introduction to nonwoven manufacturing as well as specialized education focused on the technical design and performance of baby and adult care absorbent systems, wet wipes and period products. A one-day filter media course also will be offered featuring technical content.
Additional course details will be announced this fall at ideashow.org.
IDEA Achievement Awards
INDA and Nonwovens Industry magazine will once again collaborate to present the IDEA Achievement Awards, recognizing outstanding innovations, technical advancements and achievements across the nonwovens and engineered materials industry.
Industry professionals are invited to submit their companies' most innovative products, materials, equipment and sustainability advancements or nominate innovations on behalf of their clients. Finalists will receive global industry recognition, with winners announced during IDEA27.
Nominations will be accepted through Nov. 8, 2026, on the Nonwovens Industry website: https://www.nonwovens-industry.com/vote-now-for-the-2027-idea-achievement-awards/
Exhibiting, Sponsorships and More Information
For information about exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities at IDEA27, contact Dan Noonan at sales@inda.org. For complete event details, visit ideashow.org. To register for IDEA27, visit https://events.american-tradeshow.com/IDEA27.
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About INDA
INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, serves hundreds of member companies across the nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry to support business growth. Since 1968, INDA has helped members convene and connect, innovate, and grow through industry-leading events, professional development courses, market intelligence, test methods, consulting services, and advocacy.
INDA Media, the association’s business-to-business publishing arm, produces the International Fiber Journal and International Filtration News, reaching a global network of professionals who utilize fibers, filaments, and filtration systems to optimize performance across diverse applications.