PLAINVIEW, N.Y.—After several years of lackluster turnouts, the Long Island Floor Covering Association (LIFCA) is looking to ramp up participation for its educational and networking opportunities. And, at its recent spring member meeting and seminar, things seemed to be looking up as a “pretty good crowd,” noted Joe Bianculli, president, came out to meet old and new friends alike here at the Sheraton as well as educate each other on several aspects of the industry, including laminate floor installation, the often complicated world of home improvement licensing and the benefits of carpet recycling.

Industry experts who spoke to the enthusiastic gathering included Bert Culbertson, regional sales representative for Quick•Step, who gave a presentation on how to use the Uni Fix repair tool, a device that replaces damaged laminate planks in the middle of the floor; attorney Marty Silver and paralegal Stephen Walker, who discussed how to avoid fines of hundreds, even thousands of dollars by having the correct contractor, salesperson and/or home improvement licenses; and Larry Sagarin of Long Island Carpet Recycling, who spoke about the benefits of being environmentally friendly when it comes to matters of broadloom disposal.

“The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) wants, very badly, to change the mandates on carpet and consider it a construction and demolition debris which would eliminate curb side [disposal]” warned Sagarin. “It is a total tax liability. States and municipalities are looking at ways to raise revenue, they are looking for liabilities, and leaving carpet on the curb is a liability. Legislation and mandates are coming.”

Barbara Napolitano, marketing manager for CBC Flooring, believes when it comes to recycling, retailers can use it to market themselves. “Set yourselves apart. That’s what the LIFCA is supposed to be all about. I’m a marketing manager for many products, but I come from a sales background. The people here need to ‘spin it’ for themselves, raise themselves up, differentiate themselves with what they heard tonight.”

To learn more about the LIFCA, call 631.569.5459.