With the ambitious goal of connecting cutting-edge technical innovation with real world applications, the second annual Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics (RISE) Conference will be held October 3-6 at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel in Raleigh, N.C.

Organized by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, RISE will once again provide information and stimulation for innovation in all aspects of the development, production, marketing and sales of disposable and durable nonwovens and engineered fabrics to help companies compete in the 21st century. The inaugural RISE Conference was held in Baltimore last September.

Sessions at RISE will cover a range of growth markets, including Automotives, Construction/Geotextiles, Equipment, Home Furnishings, Hygiene, Medical and Raw Materials.

"Attendees at RISE - ranging from product managers and technical sales and marketing executives to product engineers, purchasing managers and research and development executives and staff - at both consumer and industrial products companies - will learn about the latest technical innovations in nonwovens and will see new technologies that can advance their businesses," organiser INDA says.

"A focus of RISE once again will be the use of nonwovens and engineered fabrics in emerging markets and how to marry technical developments with real-life market needs," says INDA President Rory Holmes.

As with all INDA events, networking among suppliers and customers will also be a key component of RISE. "RISE will provide significant opportunities for attendees to share their ideas with their colleagues to help drive our industry as a whole into the future," Holmes adds.

An exciting addition to the RISE Conference will be the presentation of the inaugural RISE Durable Products Award. It will be given to a durable product using nonwoven fabric and technology that is commercially available and utilized in the consumer or industrial marketplace.

Finalists will present their innovation to the industry at RISE 2011 and the recipient will be selected by RISE attendees and announced on the final day of the Conference. The list of nominated products will be posted on August 15 on the RISE website: http://www.inda.org/events/rise11/index.html

Registration for the full RISE Conference and Workshop for INDA members is $1,195 before August 21 ($1,435 after August 21.) For non-members, registration is $1,675 before August 21 ($2,010 after August 21). If you prefer to tailor the conference to your specific interests, separate registration packages are available for the Durables Track and the non-Durables Track (see registration form for pricing details).

For a complete agenda and to register for the 2011 Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics (RISE) Conference: http://www.inda.org/events/rise11/index.html