Plan to join the International Glove Association (IGA) in Henderson, NV, near Las Vegas, this March to learn more about developments in workplace hand protection. Of special note will be a presentation on the new ANSI/ISEA 138 American National Standard for Performance and Classification for Impact-Resistant Gloves. Until now, there have been no uniform tests to evaluate gloves for impact protection. Impact injuries to the back of the hand can be traumatic, breaking bones and severing ligaments, muscle, nerves and tendons. The cost of these serious injuries can reach six figures in addition to significant lost time.

The presenter is Rodney Taylor, IGA member and global sales and marketing manager for D30. Taylor has said in a statement, “For impact protective gloves, performance can vary widely by manufacturer. Yet, without a performance standards infrastructure in place for impact protection, there is no reliable means of making comparisons between different products on an equal basis.”

Taylor will explain why and how this standard is helping the glove industry and end users better protect themselves and understand impact protective gloves.

About the IGA

The IGA has a long and rich history, having roots that can be traced to 1902, when the first glove association was formed. Through the years this forward thinking group has pioneered new marketing techniques, technological innovations, and promoted the safety, health, and economic benefits of hand protection.

In September of 2001, glove industry leaders met in Atlanta, Georgia, to discuss the formation of a new, all-inclusive organization. Members of the International Hand Protection Association (IHPA) and the National Industrial Glove Distributors Association (NIGDA) saw major benefits to be gained by combining the strengths of the two associations. These meetings resulted in the founding of the IGA in January, 2003

 The new IGA represents all elements of the hand protection industry — manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, manufacturers’ representatives, and suppliers to the hand protection industry. The combined strength of all elements of the hand protection industry work to increase public awareness, expand markets, and enhance the profitability of IGA members.

The IGA also speaks for its membership on legislative and regulatory issues of common concern and works with other industry groups to accomplish appropriate and mutual objectives.

IGA also offers these exclusives to members only:

• More than 15 years of annual market data and quarterly import data;
• New digital glove guides, the latest revision of IGA’s original glove guides, will be coming soon in an expanded digital format.
• Also coming soon: an IGA brand directory searchable by glove brands and manufacturers.

Brent Fidler of Southern Glove is the IGA president. Matt Piotrowski of the Showa Group is vice president. Kim O’Leary of Wells Lamont Industrial Group is the immediate past president. Other IGA directors: Larry Garner, MCR Safety; Hugo Kruiniger, Majestic Glove; Matty Moore, Watson Gloves; Tom Ragan, Shelby Specialty Gloves; Todd Romero, Forney Industries, Inc.; John Simmons, World Fibers, Inc.; and Rodney Taylor  of D30, The Lab.

Conference schedule

Sunday, March 17

• IGA Board Meeting, 9-noon
• General Session, 1-2:30 pm
• General Session, 2:30-4:30 pm
• Welcome Reception, 5:30-6:30 pm

Monday, March 18

• Breakfast Buffet, 8-9 am
• General Session 9-10:30 am
• General Session, 10:30-noon
• Lunch Buffet, noon
• Golf Scramble, 1-6 pm
• Awards Reception, 6:30-7:30 pm

Tuesday, March 19

• Breakfast Buffet, 8-9 am
• General Session, 9-11 am
• General Membership Meeting, 11:30-12:15 pm
• Lunch Buffet

About Green Valley Ranch

Green Valley Ranch is a hotel, casino, and spa located in the affluent master-planned eponymous community within Green Valley community in Henderson, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Station Casinos.

This Mediterranean-inspired casino resort is 9 miles from McCarran International Airport and 11 miles from The Strip.

Upscale rooms feature flat-screens, Bose sound systems, minibars and high-speed Internet. Suites add living areas and garden access. Upgraded quarters feature whirlpool tubs, pool tables and/or pianos.

An 8-acre garden offers an outdoor pool, bar service, and adults-only cabanas and a pool. There's a steakhouse, a cafe and several casual eateries, plus concert space, and five bars and lounges. In addition to the casino, there's a cinema and a spa.

A daily resort fee covers gym use, Internet access, and airport and Strip shuttles.

The property offers eight restaurants, a 143,891 sq. ft. casino, The Spa at Green Valley Ranch, 65,000 square feet of convention space and 495 guest rooms and suites. While a locals casino, the property was designed with an upscale element and draws many out-of-town visitors. The hotel is adjacent to The District, a mixed-use development.

On March 13, 2000, Station Casinos announced that they would build a resort-casino in the Green Valley neighborhood. The original expected cost of the project was to be $280 million.

The District at Green Valley Ranch was added as a multi-use project directly to the east of the resort in April, 2004. The property includes retail stores and restaurants on the first level and luxury condominiums on the upper levels, as well as standalone restaurants and commercial office buildings. A second phase of the District was opened in August, 2005, further to the east, and includes retail shops and commercial office space.