Article Number : 894 |
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| Date | 2/24/2006 12:19:21 PM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=894 |
| Abstract | (Dallas, Texas) Surfaces 2006 was undoubtedly the BIGGEST and BEST event to date! The show set records across the board and left exhibitors and attendees energized about the year ahead—proving, yet again, that Surfaces IS the industry event! Attendees flooded the halls of the Sands Expo &... |
| Article | (Dallas, Texas) Surfaces 2006 was undoubtedly the BIGGEST and BEST event to date! The show set records across the board and left exhibitors and attendees energized about the year ahead—proving, yet again, that Surfaces IS the industry event! Attendees flooded the halls of the Sands Expo & Convention Center February 1-3 in Las Vegas, looking for the latest floor covering fashions and newest industry technology. A record-breaking 40,588 retailers, manufacturers, distributors, architects, designers, builders and installers from around the world—a 6% increase over 2005—came to see the THOUSANDS of new products being introduced at the show. “From the very beginning, we could see that Surfaces 2006 was going to be a record year,” says Michelle Troop, Senior Show Director, Surfaces. “Attendees and exhibitors alike were signing up for the show in record numbers and now we have the largest show to date. With record numbers of buyers, exhibiting companies and new product introductions, the entire industry is poised to make a huge impact in 2006 with consumers looking for the latest in floor covering offerings!” "Surfaces once again proved its value as the one place floor covering industry personnel could go to get completely immersed in the newest products, latest information and meet with the top key executives in the business,” says Chris Davis, President & CEO, World Floor Covering Association, official sponsor of Surfaces. Davis adds: “Reports from the show floor indicated this was clearly the best, biggest and most productive Surfaces ever! It is hard to believe possible, but each Surfaces has been incrementally better than the one preceding it. If this trend continues as it has in the past, then Surfaces 2007 will be something beyond incredible." Exhibitors were thrilled with the quantity and quality of attendees on the show floor. It was obvious the entire industry was at Surfaces 2006 and serious about doing business. “In a nutshell, Surfaces ’06 was a great show for us,” says Ed Duncan, Sr. Vice President, Marketing, Mannington Residential. “We saw more dealers, closed more deals and wrote more business than in any single show in the last 5 years. “All of our distributors were thrilled with the quality and number of their retailers that attended the show,” adds Duncan. “It well exceeded everyone’s expectations.” “We are very pleased with the increased attendance at this year's Surfaces Show and the enthusiastic response to Tarkett's new products and programs for 2006,” says Analie Roth, VP Brand Marketing, Tarkett Residential. “Surfaces 2006 was the best selling event to date for sales to retailers for our distributors,” says Dennis Mohn, Vice President Marketing & Sales, Alloc Inc. “We more than doubled our Surfaces sales budget! The traffic on Wednesday and Thursday was fantastic.” “There was a steady flow of quality buyers. This is the best show I’ve been to,” says Dave Polley, Dixie Home. “Attendance was fantastic! We’re extremely pleased with the turnout. The show was great,” says Paul Engle, Royalty Carpet Mills. “Surfaces 2006 once again exceeded our expectations,” says Steve Silverman, President & COO, Abbey Carpet Co., Inc. “The traffic was phenomenal!” Attendees weren’t the only ones packing the exhibit floor at Surfaces. Exhibitors were also out in record numbers—1,070 companies, an increase from the record-setting 1,054 in 2005, showed their hottest products to serious, qualified buyers in 515,000 net square feet of exhibit space. Once again, Surfaces attracted a lot of new manufacturers. In fact, over 300 new companies participated in this year’s show, bringing even more new styles and trends to THE one-stop-shopping event of the year. “Again, Surfaces delivered the opportunity for me to see the products and people that are important to my business success,” says Richard Leming, Carpet Warehouse, Oroville, CA. “I look forward already to Surfaces 2007!” “I honestly think that this was the best Surfaces in years,” says Peter Messner, Messner Carpeting, Pittsford, NY. “People were upbeat! I don’t know if it is due to a better economy or more exciting product introductions or both.” Even the Conference Program broke records—2,808 sessions were attended at this year’s program (up 14% over 2005), proving floor covering professionals’ need for continuing education to keep their businesses a step ahead of the competition. The 42 courses in the program, which was sponsored by Mannington Mills, covered a wide range of topics—marketing, business, sales, installation, design and window coverings—ensuring every segment of the industry had an opportunity to learn about new industry trends. “I saw the best attendance at the two seminars I participated in,” says Jonathan Trivers, Floor Covering Weekly Columnist and Industry Analyst. “Literally, both were standing room only. Palpable excitement at show and genuine interest in improving their business.” “The educational program was spot on this year,” adds Messner. “We were able to take more ‘deliverables’ away and have already begun implementing them in our business. We look forward to next year.” “I attended six seminars at Surfaces,” says Kevin Johnson, Creative Carpet Designs, Inc., Papillion, NE. “I got good information out of ‘Bonus & Incentive Programs That Work’ that I can take back to my business and use. Even though there were many different business sizes represented in the class, (the speaker, Linda Leigh Francis) was able to speak to us all.” “The conference courses not only reassure you of the information you might have in hand, but they also give you direction to future trends in all aspects of business,” says Farhad Rashedi, Sully Carpet & Interiors, Inc., Chantilly, VA. “We are looking forward to attending the conference again in 2007.” This year’s Installation Showcase—sponsored by Laticrete and brought to you by International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI), Floor Covering Installer and National Floor Trends magazines and the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)—was a hot spot on the show floor again this year. Retailers and installers attended the live demonstrations to get up-close education on some of the latest floor covering installation techniques as well as direct feedback from the instructors. Some of this year’s sessions were standing room only! “The educational seminars and Installation Showcase alone make Surfaces worth the trip,” says Daniel Westcott, Carpenters Training Centers, NWRCC, Stevens Point, WI. “I am already planning for next year!” “If you wonder where the rubber met the road, it was at the Installation Showcase of Surfaces 2006!” says Alan Delahunty, CFE, Floor Coverings By Certified, Salt Lake City, UT. Clearly, the industry is already geared up for Surfaces 2007, which will take place February 7-9, 2007 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada USA. Attendees and exhibitors can expect even more of what they saw at this year’s show. “Surfaces remains the industry’s premier event and 2006 reinforced that position with an exclamation point!” concludes Duncan. “If you are an independent dealer like me, Surfaces 2006 was the most important event of the year!” adds Delahunty. “I have no idea how any floor covering business can possibly believe they’ll be providing customer service during 2006 if they didn’t attend Surfaces 2006 – Show, Conference and Installation Showcase,” sums up John Wabeke, Tile Interiors, Cottonwood, AZ. For information on exhibiting at or attending Surfaces 2007, visit www.Surfaces.com or call 800.547.3477 or 972.536.6400. Surfaces would like to thank the following Promotional Partners for their continued support of the industry's main event: Anderson Hardwood Floors, Beaulieu of America, BR111 Imports & Exports, Inc., Camelot Carpet Mills, Columbia Flooring, Dixie Home, Faus Group, Gulistan Carpet Inc., Invista (Stainmaster Carpet), Mannington Mills, Mapei, Nourison Rug Corporation, Pinnacle Interior Elements, Royalty Carpet Mills, Quick-Step Flooring, Solutia and Wilsonart Flooring. 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. 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 15 trade shows, including World of Concrete, one of the top 20 trade show events in the country. Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is a $225 million company owned by JPMorgan Partners, LLC, a private equity affiliate of JPMorgan Chase & Co. |