Dalton—With popularity of hard surface flooring at an all time high, so much so that the industry’s major carpet mills have gotten involved in this area, the American Floorcovering Alliance (AFA) has expanded the scope and breadth of the biennial FloorTek Expo. Formerly known as The Carpet Technologies Show, the manufacturing and technology trade market will take place April 22 to 24 at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center here. It is produced by AFA, formerly the Dalton Floor Covering Market Association (DFCMA).

“In recent years, the solid surface side of the floor covering industry has increased drastically,” said Jim Shaheen, AFA’s president. “and the industry has grown through consumer demand and new technologies. Our goal in broadening the scope of FloorTek to include these manufacturers was to provide an opportunity for the entire industry to come together and share information—therefore strengthening our position in the marketplace and growing the industry.”

Since its beginnings in 1994, FloorTek has showcased the latest technologies and the most up-to-date services available to the industry from around the world. In addition, to the exhibit hall, the Expo offers numerous educational opportunities with various seminars and networking. This year’s new format will see technology and services from all aspects of the floor covering industry including carpets, resilient, laminates, fibers and yarn, machinery, applications and other manufacturing and distribution related equipment. Exhibitors and attendees to previous shows have touted FloorTek’s unique perspective of being the only market to exclusively target companies that service and supply the flooring covering industry as a huge benefit.

“FloorTek offers us the ability to introduce new products, meet new potential customers and solidify our relationships with our ex isting customers all at the same time,” said Brad Potter, market ing manager of Home Textiles for Bayer Chemicals Corp. “No other show reaches our customer base—the mill producers—better than FloorTek does.” “Mannington is a huge supporter of the show,” said Larry Keown, vice president of manufacturing. “It give me the ability to send all my key personnel to see the latest flooring technologies. And, this year, I’m looking forward to the expanded venue into hard sur face flooring.”

In addition to broadening its exhibit hall, AFA has also added another feature to this year’s show—the Best of FloorTek awards. These honors will be given to companies or individuals that have demonstrated environmental responsibility; the best product or method of innovation; exceptional individual leadership, and the company that has had the largest historical contribution to the industry. “We at the AFA feel that it is time we re cognized those people and companies that go above and beyond the industry stand ard,” Shaheen. The Best of FloorTek awards will be presented at a dinner on Monday, April 22 at the Dalton Golf and Country Club. Reservations for the evening can be made by calling AFA’s main office at 706/278-4101. For more information on exhibiting or attending FloorTek Expo 2003, call Wanda Ellis or Stephanie Manis toll-free at 800/288-4101.