Article Number : 3062 |
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| Date | 3/10/2008 10:29:16 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3062 |
| Abstract | By Sarah Zimmerman The National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA) 2008 convention, slated for March 25 to 28 at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale- Broward County convention center, is aimed at educating attendees on how to survive during this tough economy... |
| Article | By Sarah Zimmerman The National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA) 2008 convention, slated for March 25 to 28 at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale- Broward County convention center, is aimed at educating attendees on how to survive during this tough economy. Ed Korczak, executive director of the NWFA, said this year’s convention will look at marketing strategies, financing, global marketing and the green movement. He reported the show’s advance registration is ahead of previous years but admitted “overall attendance might be down—5% to 10%— due to the current economy.” Last year’s convention hosted 3,500 flooring professionals and offered visitors 570 exhibit booths. At press time, this year’s show already had 572 booths sold. Korczak noted the changing industry, saying this year’s program is designed to allow flooring professionals to have a chance to discuss how to best support themselves in the current market. One special topic of interest is green offerings, which he said will be addressed in targeted educational programs. “We’re offering two programs to educate attendees on the different aspects of green: How green is interpreted/credited by LEED and the like. And, practical tools to address green in the industry—knowledge on the subject and confidence to work with architects and designers to promote it.” Along with educational seminars and networking opportunities, the convention will offer hundreds of exhibitors featuring thousands of the latest products and practices including: Accord Flooring Accord will present its Belmont and Brisbane collection. The Belmont Collection is the company’s latest handscraped engineered product offered in three colors and a 5-inch width. Brisbane features the mill’s mechanical click system and is available in five colors and 5-inch planks. Arimar Emphasizing its engineered wood flooring options, Arimar will focus on two additions— Sucupira and Brazilian Walnut, Ebony stained. The company said the market is interested in engineered products given the greater awareness of using resources responsibly. Ark Floors Closing in on its move to a larger facility in El Monte, Calif., Ark Floors will be outlining its new level of warehousing, shipping and customer service. The 70,000-square-foot facility will enable the company to warehouse and ship four times its current capacity, and an inhouse sample department has been set up to increase merchandising capabilities. Electro Plastics STEP Warmfloor, which gives even heat as the only low-voltage, self-regulating system available, according to the company, will be Electro Plastics’ main offering. Some key benefits of STEP Warmfloor are: comfort, energy efficiency, health benefits, ease of installation, environmentally friendly, maintenance free and domestically produced. ForesFloor ForesFloor continues its multimillion dollar expansion program, which has generated a number of new ideas to present at this year’s NWFA convention. These concepts include: a total lifetime warranty, a new commercial warranty, a new brochure, new display and builder programs, expanded product offerings and a new distribution product. Lauzon In line with the environmental initiative, Lauzon will introduce its Forests First program—a fully integrated operation “from forest to floor.” All products in the program are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. The company is also stepping up its product offerings with additions to its Antique Collection, new colors in both the Classics and NextStep collections, new exotic species and additional SKUs in its low-gloss pearl finish. Mapei Mapei will be in attendance with its family of hardwood installation products. This includes the company’s Ultrabond 980 one- omponent urethane adhesive, Ultrabond 990 premium one-component urethane adhesive and Ultrabond ECO 972 adhesive. Mapei will also feature its new Planiseal WFM, a high-performance, one-component urethane membrane providing crack isolation, sound reduction and moisture mitigation. Mercier Mercier will be spotlighting its wider-plank offerings—engineered 5½- and 6½-inch boards and 5-inch exotics—and its new wide-board display. The company also plans to focus on its new matte finish—available in every color offered by Mercier— which provides a more natural, authentic look. Mirage Showcasing its new color Umbria, Mirage aims to evoke the joy of living in the Italian region that inspired the hue’s name. The company said Umbria’s deep, rich brown tones match clay and earth colors as it provides the “perfect neutral.” Mullican The Nature Collection, Mullican’s newest line, is offered in five species and 4- and 5-inch widths and features an appealing grain pattern finished in the company’s Alpha A’lumina for extra durability. The Chalmette Collection—1/2-inch, engineered hand- sculpted flooring—will also be featured with five new offerings. Preverco The manufacturer will offer a broad array of products, showcasing a new selection of colors for its wirescraped finish, Original Series, Engenius Series and PreLoc Series. Preverco will also highlight its flexible shipping options—cut orders, mixed skids, etc.—in response to the current economic downturn. W.F. Taylor Also known as Taylor Adhesives, W.F. Taylor will demonstrate its MS-Plus one-part moisture cure wood flooring adhesive. It contains no isocyanate derivatives and is GreenGuard approved for low VOCs. Along with quick cure time and easy clean up, MS-Plus offers moisture barrier and sound protection. For a complete list of exhibitors or more information, visit www.nwfa.org. |