Members of the IWFA Members Action Committee at the Western Conference pictured from left: Jim Freeman, Chris Robinson, Patric Fransko, Jack Mundy, Keith Garwood and Paul Tauchar.

The effort, spearheaded by MAC Chair Jack Mundy, and successfully organized by Patric Fransko, Jim Freeman, Keith Garwood, Paul Mello, Sarah Ortiz, Chris Robinson and Paul Tauchar attracted nearly 50 area professionals.

Held at the Sheraton Ontario Airport Conference Hotel, the two-day event kicked-off with IWFA testing for accreditation followed by an evening networking event. Then on Saturday, a full day of learning and sharing were had by all. Topics included new building codes, utility rebate programs, marketing and advertising insights, how to increase your sales in both automotive and flat glass shops and harnessing the power of social media to drive more customers forward.  In addition, attendees received a status update on current IWFA activities and a review of the exciting upcoming IWFC conference.

“We are grateful for the hard work of our committee that made this first regional conference that was held in many years such a success,” said Jack Mundy, chair of the MAC. He also thanked the IWFA staff for their support and Window Film magazine for helping to promote the event.

Those attending the conference had comments as well. “I am thrilled to welcome the IWFA to California and learn more about their efforts to help grow the industry,” said Tim Gordon.

“After the meeting I have a better understanding of what is being done by the IWFA and now feel very positive about the association,” said Peter Maranan.

Once again HanitaTek Window Films is one of the Supporters of the 2013 International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ (IWFC). The event is set to be held this September 18-20 in Tampa, Fla., at the Tampa Convention Center and Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina. The Exhibition/Extravaganza will be held September 18-20.

During the conference, attendees will be able to take part in educational seminars by industry leaders and expert speakers, network on the Exhibition/Extravaganza show floor with window film manufacturers and suppliers and view the Tint-Off™ competitions.

We spoke with Sarah Ortiz, business manager for HanitaTek.

Window Film magazine: Sarah, why did HanitaTek choose to sponsor the 2013 International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ (IWFC)?

Ortiz: The IWFC is a unique event in our industry in which we can all get together and learn from one another. There is no other event that draws as many industry professionals into one place, with education and networking being the focus.

Window Film magazine: Why is an event like the IWFC important to the film industry?

Ortiz: It is so important for our dealers to interact and learn from one another. Education on current trends is so valuable to make your business grow and thrive. The more we work together as an industry to be professional and cutting edge, the better the future is for our industry.

Window Film magazine: What can attendees expect to see from HanitaTek at the 2013 show?

Ortiz: HanitaTek is excited to show our new films at the show. Our E-lite 70 spectrally selective film, our XTRM exterior films offering up to a 15-year warranty and our Skylite film for both glass and poly glazing will be featured.

We also will showcase our energy-efficiency program, our suite of security solutions and our top-notch personnel.

Window Film magazine: What do you hope your dealers and distributors can obtain by attending an event like this?

Ortiz: I hope they can get the knowledge they need to continue an educated and professional front for our industry. This will help take our industry into the future.

Window Film magazine: Does HanitaTek have any advice for the 2013 Tint-Off™ Automotive and Architectural Division competitors?

Ortiz: The best advice is to have confidence in your work and not to be too psyched out by the event. Act as if this is a job for your best customer and compete against yourself, not the other competitors.

The International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ is co-sponsored by Window Film magazine and the International Window Film Association. Auto Glass Week™ also will be held concurrently. The event is managed by Window Film magazine.

HanitaTek is the North American distributor of Hanita Coatings SolarZone and SafetyZone, window films. With a focus on energy savings, they work hard to partner with their customers to provide solar and safety solutions for their client base.

To register or for more information, visit the official event website, www.windowfilmmag.com/iwfc.

“Through advanced engineering, today’s window films give you energy savings, a neutral carbon footprint, UV blocking and security benefits while letting visible light in,” said Darrell Smith, executive director of the IWFA. “This can mean up to a 30 percent reduction in cooling costs, while eliminating hot-spots and making your home more comfortable.”

When Earth Day began in 1970, fewer than half of U.S. homes were air conditioned (AC), but today nearly 90 percent of homes use AC, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 25 to 35 percent of the energy used in American buildings and homes is wasted due to inefficient windows adding up to 10 percent of national carbon emissions annually.

Professionally installed window films can offer significant savings in cooling expenses as well as add resale value to a home. For a single-family home, window film installation costs can range from $3 to $11 per square foot, depending on the type of window film installed, and the process can be completed in one or two days. More can be learned on the IWFA YouTube channel as well.

The payback period for window film can be less than two years, but of course, construction details, location and the type of window film used can alter the energy savings and return on investment.

The IWFA offers a free consumer booklet available on its website which the non-profits says helps consumers understand more about how window film delivers up to seven times the energy savings per dollar spent, as compared to installing replacement windows.

At the first stop of the night, the first net-zero building, developed for several commercial business tenants, Tom Hall, building developer and manager of All Florida Management, says the energy-efficient building has generated credits with the power company.

“Since we started this project December 2, 2012, we have yet to have a power bill; in fact, we’ve only generated credits,” he said.

Hall said he projects the average energy credit at full production to be around $700 per month. Hall also said the building had submitted to platinum LEED certification and had recently received an Energy Star® designation.

Current highlights of the project include window tinting, solar photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging stations, a geothermal HVAC system, tankless point-of-use water heaters, a foam-insulated building envelope, independent recycling, green spaces that include indigenous plant life and rainwater harvesting.

One of the highest-performing products, noted Hall, was the Madico window films used on the building on low-E windows, as opposed to insulating glass windows which Hall said would not perform as well in the warmer environment.

The films, according to Hall, offered a lower-cost option that boosted the overall efficiency of the windows, helping to bring down the cost of the project without lowering the efficiency. The SunGard dual-reflective Optivision 25 film used on the building was also installed with an exterior perforated jet-tinting image film with one of the tenant’s logos. Hall said the use of the decorative film also helped the company get around a town ordinance on street signage.

The next stop at Madico’s plant offered attendees a glimpse into the manufacturing and assembly process for developing window films. Attendees were welcomed with a reception while Darrell Smith, NFRC member and executive director of the International Window Film Association, explained the assembly and coating processes as well as the benefits of film in a presentation.

Attendees were then invited to tour the facility with staff and review the many components to window film construction.

Once again Johnson Window Films is one of the Supporters of the 2013 International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ (IWFC). The event is set to be held this September 18-20 in Tampa, Fla., at the Tampa Convention Center and Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina. The Exhibition/Extravaganza will be held September 18-20.

During the conference, attendees will be able to take part in educational seminars by industry leaders and expert speakers, network on the Exhibition/Extravaganza show floor with window film manufacturers and suppliers and view the Tint-Off™ competitions.

We spoke with Denise Beck, marketing director for Johnson Window Films.

Window Film magazine: Denise, why did Johnson Window Films choose to sponsor the 2013 International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ (IWFC)?

Beck: As a founding member of the International Window Film Association (IWFA), we believe in the value of education for both industry professionals and consumers alike.

Window Film magazine: Why is an event like the IWFC important to the film industry?

Beck: It is a great opportunity to see the latest film technology in use and be able to interact in person with dealers and industry professionals.

Window Film magazine: What can attendees expect to see from Johnson Window Films at the 2013 show?

Beck: Attendees can expect to see a comprehensive look at our extensive line of films for automotive, residential, commercial and protective applications as well as receive help and advice on how to grow a window film business using our detailed sales materials.

Window Film magazine: What do you hope your dealers and distributors can obtain by attending an event like this?

Beck: We hope they are able to gather real solutions to their questions and concerns.

Window Film magazine: Does Johnson Window Films have any advice for the 2013 Tint-Off™ Automotive and Architectural Division competitors?

Beck: Practice, practice, practice and request Johnson Window Films to use in the IWFC competition.

The International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ is co-sponsored by Window Film magazine and the International Window Film Association. Auto Glass Week™ also will be held concurrently. The event is managed by Window Film magazine.

Located in Southern California for more than 35 years, Johnson Window Films’ family-owned and -operated business provides solar control and protective window film products throughout the world.

To register or for more information, visit the official event website, www.windowfilmmag.com/iwfc.

“We see the combination of our social media and web pages, along with articles in traditional media channels, as an integrated ‘one stop shop’ to educating consumers on the many benefits of window film,” says Darrell Smith, executive director of the nonprofit IWFA. “Social media make[s] the conversation surrounding window film more accessible and consumer-friendly. Window film is an affordable way to update living spaces and consumers deserve to know about it.”

Benefits the IWFA is discussing with consumers include the following points: “Savings on your cooling costs can reach up to 30 percent with window film,” “UV rays entering the living area may fade furnishings, create hot spots and harm the skin, but window film can block up to 99 percent of harmful UV rays,” “For each dollar spent on window film, the money invested can provide more cost-effective energy savings when compared to replacement windows,” and “Window film is a simple way to help reduce your energy use and when installed, it can assist in cutting the demand on utilities, which may further reduce carbon emissions.”

Registration is available online at www.windowfilmmag.com/iwfc. All pre-registrations must be in by the end of day today to qualify for the pre-registration discounts.

Attendee registration includes registration to all seminars, workshops, social events and admittance to the IWFC Exhibition/Extravaganza, where you can watch the Automotive and Architectural Divisions of the International Window Film Tint-Off™, as well as talk one-on-one with industry manufacturers and suppliers.

Registration will be available on-site, though pre-registration discounts are only available today.

To pre-register, visit www.windowfilmmag.com/iwfc and receive the discounted price through the end of the day today.

This year’s International Window Film Tint-Off™ – Automotive  Division will host 55 contestants in the two-day competition. In the first  round of the competition, each technician will have 20 minutes to complete a  film installation. The top ten technicians from the preliminary round then will advance to the finals round. Within the finals, technicians will have 60  minutes to complete a larger automotive window film installation. The first-place winner of the  Automotive Division will receive $10,000, a gold medal and trophy, as well as  bragging rights as the “World’s Best Automotive Window Film Tinter.” Second place  will receive $3,000 as well as a silver medal, and third will receive $1,000  and a bronze medal.

The International  Window Film Tint-Off™ – Architectural Division, last held in 2008, will have 13  competitors during this year’s competition. Within the competition, each  technician will have 60 minutes to complete an architectural film installation.  Industry veterans then judge the installation of the film.

The preliminary heats of the Tint-Off Automotive Division  will take place on Friday, September 21, during the IWFC Exhibition/Extravaganza  at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky. The  Automotive Division finals and the Architectural Division competition will be held Saturday morning during the Exhibition/Extravaganza and the winners will be  announced Saturday evening at the Gala Awards Reception and Ceremony.

Registration is still available if you are interested  in attending the 2012 IWFC to view the Tint-Off competitions. Pre-registration  discounts are available until August 31 and you can register online at www.windowfilmmag.com/iwfc.

The Automotive Division of the competition will be held September 21-22, 2012, and the Architectural Division will be held on Saturday, September 22. Both divisions of the competition will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center as a part of the International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ (IWFC).

Registration is available online at www.windowfilmmag.com/iwfc or call the event management staff at 540/720-5584 and they can mail or fax you a registration form. There will be no on-site registration to compete so be sure to register now. All registrations must be in by 11:59 p.m. on July 27, 2012.

Registration to compete in the Automotive and/or Architectural Divisions of the International Window Film Tint-Off is $250 for IWFA members and $350 for non-IWFA members. Contestants interested in competing in both divisions will receive a discounted price of $450 for IWFA members and $650 for non-IWFA members.

The IWFC is co-sponsored by Window Film magazine and the International Window Film Association. Auto Glass Week™ also will be held concurrently. The event is managed by Window Film magazine.

The competitions will be held September 21-22 as part of the International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off™ (IWFC) Exhibition/Extravaganza. The IWFC will run September 20-22, in Louisville, Ky., at the Kentucky International Convention Center, the Hyatt Regency Louisville and the Louisville Marriott Downtown.

Contestants and prospective contestants can download the rules and regulations and the annotated score sheet from the Contestant Resources on the Architectural Division and Automotive Division pages on the IWFC website.

The first-place winner in this year’s Tint-Off™ Architectural Division will receive $5,000, a gold medal and trophy, as well as bragging rights as the “World’s Best Architectural Window Film Tinter.” Second place will receive $1,500 as well as a silver medal, and third will receive $500 and a bronze medal. The first-place winner in the Tint-Off™ Automotive Division will receive $10,000, a gold medal and trophy, as well as the bragging rights as the “World’s Best Automotive Window Film Tinter.” Second place will receive $3,000 as well as a silver medal, and third will receive $1,000 and a bronze medal.

In addition, the first-place winner’s company in each division will receive extensive media coverage; a press release sent on its behalf; use of the respective competition winner logo on stationery, business cards and advertising for one year; use of the 2012 International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off logo for an unlimited time; and a congratulations ad and coverage of the victors and their companies will appear in Window Film magazine.

Anyone who wishes to compete in either division must be employed currently as an installer in a bona fide operating window film company and have at least one year of experience as a technician in the film industry.

The registration deadline for contestants is Friday, July 27, 2012. No registrations will be accepted after this date.