Sam O'Krent

As the biggest trade show of the year, Surfaces serves as a guidepost for the industry. While some retailers have never experienced the event, or visit infrequently at best, the majority of the industry’s most profitable and progressive dealers make the annual journey to the desert a priority, no matter what the economic conditions.

The number of personnel or sales staffs might be lower than in the not-too-distant past, but make no mistake, come late January/early February, those looking to upgrade their businesses and inventories are Vegas-bound. Why, after two decades, do those who attend the market continue to make the trek? The reasons are almost as numerous as the show’s products.

Jon Pierce, general manager
Pierce Flooring & Design
Billings, Mont.

This is a time to plan and strategize for our future. We need to be ready when the economy recovers. There is ‘opportunity’ in the air and Surfaces is one place where that can be found. The NFA meetings, our Tier 2 vendor fair, Surfaces itself, the re- ositioning of many parts of our industry, and the global presence make it all worthwhile.

Sam O’Krent, owner
O’Krent’s Abbey Flooring Center
San Antonio, Tex.

We feel that attending Surfaces serves many purposes. At the forefront, it is our industry’s primary trade show. It’s where our suppliers are going to be putting their best foot forward and showing their new products in the best light. Of course, we could wait for a rep to bring samples by our store, but that would be the equivalent of asking a homeowner to make a $5,000 flooring decision by looking at a 4 x 4 sample— of which unfortunately our industry does far too often.

If we are able to pick up one new idea on merchandising by walking around the show, it will be a successful investment for us. You cannot be a leader in an industry by sitting back and waiting for something to happen. Having the opportunity to look, touch, feel and interact with professionals from all levels of our industry is well worth the cost of attending.

Sam Roberts, president
Roberts Carpet & Fine Floors
Houston, Tex.

The foremost reason is to attend the NFA meeting there. Second, it’s a good opportunity to visit with many of my most important vendors. Finally, it’s the single best opportunity in the industry to be exposed to new vendors and product ideas.

I have taken on a couple of lines largely because of seeing the product at Surfaces. I mostly attend Surfaces to see my friends and build on existing relationships.

I believe the primary benefit of Surfaces may be for the dealers who are least likely to attend. Relatively small dealers that otherwise might not have the opportunity for one-on-one time with upper management of many of the industry’s largest and finest manufacturers have that chance at Surfaces.

Aaron Pirner, owner
CAP Carpet
Wichita, Kan.

It’s a great place to meet with existing partners and plan for a successful year together, and find new ones. This year we will be focused on finding great hardwood to delight our customers. Difficult times drive innovation. What will be created this year? We are going…and CAP will find it!

Surfaces is a great place to shop for innovative and beautiful products as well as meet with my friends and share information on what will drive business. We always find something that more than pays for the trip—either good information to avoid something or great information to buy something else.

Paul Johnson, owner
Interiors One/ Carpet One Floor & Home
Tulsa, Okla.

I’ve attended every Surfaces since the show’s inception. How could you not attend the flooring industry’s premier event? What a tremendous opportunity to see new products, installation techniques and network with other industry members.

In the past, we have forged long-lasting relationships with our suppliers. It is an opportunity to meet with the senior management of our suppliers face-to-face. I’ve been able to meet simultaneously with the senior management team from the manufacturer and distributor; to negotiate year-long programs that have had a huge impact on my business. If it were not for Surfaces we would have had to coordinate travel and dates to secure this type of meeting at greater expense to everyone.

Not only is Surfaces helpful to the large supplier, it is also possibly the only way we would have met some of our smaller suppliers that do not have a national sales team. For example, we met a small supplier of wood trim and a small sample manufacturer that if not for Surfaces we would never have known existed. We found both of them on the bottom floor at Surfaces.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the great parties many of the suppliers sponsor after show hours. I truly look forward to seeing friends from across the country, other retailers, manufacturers, distributors, fiber suppliers and all the people that make this a wonderful industry to be a part of.

In closing, my question would be, “If you have made a decision that this is the industry which you have made your career, why wouldn’t you attend Surfaces?”