Specialty Fabrics Review September 2022 - 79

[ MARKETS ] INDUSTRY IN FOCUS
W
Talking Textiles
ATA's podcast series celebrates
its one-year anniversary this
month. Here's a look behind
the scenes.
by Jean Feingold
ant to learn more about what's happening in the
textiles industry? Just tune in to Talking Textiles,
a series of free podcasts available online on Apple,
Google, Spotify and Libsyn and at textiles.org/podcast/. The
first show was posted online on September 8, 2021. New shows
appear the third week of each month featuring topics from the
Canada and the emerging technologies markets.
ATA's podcasts are produced by Christine Gerard, Janelle
Buerkley and Ineke Conway of the ATA staff. The 30-minute
(or more) Canadian podcasts are co-hosted by Mark Tyrrell
of LaSalle Canvas Inc. and Alex Petizian of Naizil Coated
Fabrics Inc. The emerging technologies podcasts are hosted by
members of the Emerging Technologies Division board. The
interview sessions are conducted over Zoom with the audio
recorded, edited and posted online by Studio Americana.
" The idea to do a podcast came from members of both the
Canada and Emerging Technologies [previously the Advanced
Textile Products] divisions of ATA, " Gerard recalls. " It was one
of those serendipitous things where two different groups were
talking about the same idea at around the same time and, as
an association, we decided there was enough interest to move
forward. The goal of the podcasts is to highlight the Canadian
and emerging technology markets. We recognize we are a
niche industry talking about textiles and that conversation isn't
for everyone. We're not trending or reaching the masses. The
podcast offers an alternative way to connect with the industry
and provide value for the industrial textile market. "
Tyrrell sees the podcasts as a different, more contemporary
way of communicating with members. He describes them as a
good complement to monthly newsletters and a break from all
the written media people get. " People can listen to them and
consume information while doing other things, " he says. " We
felt that it was something different we had never tried and that
was not currently available from any sources in our industry. "
Meet the Canadian co-hosts
Alex Petizian graduated from St. Lawrence University in New
York and earned his master's degree from John Molson School of
Business in Montreal. He was a professional hockey player until
an injury forced his retirement and he joined the family business.
His father is president of Naizil, a manufacturer and distributor
of PVC-coated fabrics and distributor of Italian textiles. Petizian
heads North American sales and account management. He has
no background in broadcasting or journalism.
Mark Tyrrell earned a bachelor of commerce degree from
McGill University in Montreal. He is owner and vice president
of LaSalle Canvas , a distributor and contract manufacturer to
the textiles industry, servicing mostly the sun protection, marine
SpecialtyFabricsReview.com 79
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Specialty Fabrics Review September 2022

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