Article Number : 1596 |
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| Date | 12/21/2006 10:03:28 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=1596 |
| Abstract | (Dallas, Texas) Surfaces 2007, THE floor covering industry event of the year, offers SO MUCH MORE information that floor covering professionals need to grow their businesses and increase their bottom line... |
| Article | (Dallas, Texas) Surfaces 2007, THE floor covering industry event of the year, offers SO MUCH MORE information that floor covering professionals need to grow their businesses and increase their bottom line. Surfaces has a history of offering the best education in the industry and this year’s program maintains that reputation. The 2007 Conference Program, which is sponsored by Mannington Mills, offers 42 conference sessions to choose from in five targeted tracks – Marketing, Business, Sales, Design and Installation. Retailers, installers, architects, designers, distributors and builders can get all the information they need to succeed, all in one place, at Surfaces 2007. “I attended Surfaces for the first time last year and learned the importance of selling more products to each customer rather than looking for new customers and only offering one product to them,” says Patti Sadowski, Polycoating Systems, Lake Oswego, OR. “We added a new product line to our business with this idea in mind and are starting to see increased sales for a larger dollar amount.” This year’s program delivers hot new topics floor covering professionals need to stay competitive and improve their businesses. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the courses to choose from: “25 Ways to Increase Profits,” “Most Common Failures with Ceramic Tile,” “Showroom Design for Retail Success,” “Advanced Selling Skills – Making it to the Next Level,” “Controlling Overhead Cost,” “Managing Homeowners’ Expectations,” “How to Sell to All Types of Customers” and much more! As always, the program is led by top-notch speakers. Warren Tyler, Jim Walker, David Gobis, CTC, CSI, Deborah Burnett, ASID, Kizer & Bender and Scott Perron are all back for Surfaces 2007 to share business and marketing strategies that will increase attendees’ profit margin in their businesses. New speakers for Surfaces who are sure to bring fresh ideas to the table include Michelle Nichols, BusinessWeek Online writer and sales specialist; Leslie Shiner, MBA; and Les Cunningham—just to name a few. New at Surfaces 2007 is the Designer/Architect Program. This program was created specifically for designers and architects, providing an ideal forum to get continuing education, network with peers and see thousands of the hottest floor covering trends. • The keynote luncheon—“Finding Your Design Inspiration” with Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz—takes place Thursday, February 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Noriega-Ortiz, who transforms interiors into environments of living art, was named America’s “Most Brilliant Decorators” for 10 consecutive years by House Beautiful. He will explain his techniques for diffusing everyday reality by creating spectacular designs. • A networking reception at the dazzling TAO Las Vegas, which takes place Thursday, February 8 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., is a perfect opportunity to network with other designers and architects and have some fun. • Design sessions that count toward Continuing Education include: “Designing for the Senses,” “Are Your Rates Fair? How to Stay Competitive,” “Specifying Reclaimed Wood Flooring,” “Dare to be a Different Designer,” Sustainability and the Floor Covering Industry,” “Building Partnerships Across Industries” and “World of Color ID.” • Visit www.Surfaces.com for more information on the Designer/Architect Program. The 2007 Conference Program starts Tuesday, February 6 with Pre-Show Workshops, which cost $85 each ($110 after January 8). Seminars run Wednesday, February 7 – Friday, February 9 for only $60 each ($80 after January 8). For complete course descriptions, speaker bios and schedules, visit www.Surfaces.com. Retailers and installers will have an up-close opportunity to learn time-saving, quality-enhancing techniques from leading installation experts at the Surfaces 2007 Installation Showcase. These live sessions, which are free to all Surfaces 2007 attendees, will cover installation methods on carpet, tile, stone, resilient, hardwood, laminate, mixed media and more. The Installation Showcase is sponsored by James Hardie. For Installation Showcase titles, descriptions and times, visit www.Surfaces.com. “The information I gained last year at the Conference Program and Installation Showcase helped me stay ‘grounded’ in the overwhelming environment of Surfaces,” says Jim Schulz, Nationwide Floor & Window Coverings, Victor, ID. “The presenters were very knowledgeable, yet they discussed things in a down-to-earth way that helped me stay comfortable and come away from the show with a lot more shared experience and knowledge than I had going in.” “The Surfaces Conference Program is a very worthwhile investment,” says Jonathan Ackerman, Cross Island Trading Co., White Plains, NY. “I took many classes last year that benefited my new business, and I plan to take more at Surfaces 2007.” Continuing Education Units from leading industry associations can help strengthen floor covering professionals’ competitive edge. Most of the seminars and workshops in the 2007 program qualify for the certification programs. Hanley Wood is a registered provider with the American Institute of Architects/Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES), AIBD, ASID, NKBA, IIDA, IDEC, IDC, NAHB and IICRC. Visit www.Surfaces.com for details on CEUs. In addition, floor covering professionals can earn World Floor Covering Association certifications. The WFCA offers three industry certification programs to recognize career achievement and provide a marketing advantage to floor covering industry professionals: the Certified Flooring Executive, Certified Flooring Sales Consultant and Certified Flooring Professional. Exams to earn these certifications take place at Surfaces on Friday, February 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For details, visit www.Surfaces.com or www.wfca-pro.com or call 800.624.6880. Once again, the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAAFCD) will offer a sales educational session at Surfaces. This year, NAAFCD will help members gain a better understanding of the importance value-added selling brings to an organization. Open to NAAFCD members, the session will take place Thursday, February 8 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and will be presented by Tom Riley. For details, call 312.321.6836 or visit www.nafcd.org. Surfaces 2007 will take place February 7-9 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada USA. For details on all events at the show and to register for Surfaces 2007, visit www.Surfaces.com. Call 800.547.3477 or 972.563.6400 for more information. The official sponsor of Surfaces is the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), the floor covering industry's largest advocacy organization representing floor covering retailers, contractors and allied service providers throughout North America. The WFCA is a recognized leader in industry education and certification programs, and influences public policy affecting the floor covering industry and consumers. For more information about the WFCA, visit www.wfca-pro.com. About Hanley Wood Hanley Wood, LLC, is the premier media company serving housing and construction. Through five operating divisions, the company produces award-winning magazines and Web sites, marquee trade shows and events, rich data and custom marketing solutions. The company also is North America’s leading publisher of home plans. Hanley Wood Exhibitions (Dallas) conducts 17 trade shows, including World of Concrete, one of the top 20 trade show events in the country. Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is a $240 million company owned by affiliates of JPMorgan Partners, LLC. CCMP Capital Advisors manages the Hanley Wood investment for JPMorgan Partners. |