Dallas—Surfaces’ 2008 conference program is scheduled to feature an influential lineup of industry educators who will bring their brand of proven experiences to help show attendees reach their full business potential, said Carol Wilkins, conference manager for Hanley Wood, owner of Surfaces.

The program, with the theme “Learn/Network/Succeed,” offers 48 sessions from which to choose in five 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, she noted.

“Many of the courses will provide attendees the tools and information they need to be profitable in today’s economy,” Wilkins added. Various business and core financial topics on maintaining and growing market share are incorporated throughout the program. “The Surfaces 2008 educational program will hit on the timeliest of topics that offer solutions to help floor covering professionals ride the wave of a slower moving economy.”

Conference highlights

Highlights of educators and their topics include: FCNews columnists Bart Basi discussing “Your Money, Your Business—Financial Management for the Business Owner,” and Scott Perron on “Advertising to Survive—Think Like an Entrepreneur.” Some other notable presenters include Sam Allman with “How to Survive and Thrive During a Slowing Economy,” and Lisbeth Calandrino talking about “Over Promise and Over Deliver: Building Your Competitive Advantage.”

Additional sessions will hit on the increasing demand of operating in a global economy, adopting sustainable business practices and how to profit by integrating green practices into everyday business.

New to this year’s educational conference program are six mini sessions that will hit on the industry’s hottest topics in a 60-minute abbreviated format (normal sessions are 90 minutes). Some of the topics being covered are: “Exploring American Tile Design Trends” by Lori Kirk-Rolley, Nicole Mynatt and Laurie Lyza; “Brand Aid—Think Like a Brand, Act Like a Retailer” by Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender; “Color Stories” by Mark Woodman, and “Stone Trends” by Vincent Marazita.

The conference begins Tuesday, Jan. 29 with pre-show workshops, which cost $110. Seminars run Wednesday, Jan. 30 to Friday, Feb. 1 for $80. Mini sessions (running one hour) are $65 and are offered Wednesday, Jan. 30 and Thursday, Jan. 31 starting at noon.

For a complete description of the Surfaces educational conference courses, speaker bios and times and locations, visit the market’s official Web site at www.surfaces.com.

Installation Showcased

Retailers, installers and attendees in general will have an up-close opportunity to learn time saving, quality-enhancing techniques from leading installation experts when the Surfaces Installation Showcase returns once again.

These live demonstrations, which are free to all attendees, will cover installation methods on carpet, tile, stone, resilient, hardwood, laminate, mixed media and more. For titles, descriptions and times, visit www.surfaces.com.

Surfaces 2008 takes place Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. For more information call 800.547.3477.