Dallas—Just about everyone who participated in Surfaces 2006 walked away with the feeling it was a very special market in terms of traffic, exhibitors, etc. The big question though, was just how special?

Well, the numbers are in and the 17th edition of the industry’s largest market was definitely one for the record books. The show broke the previous highs set for attendance, total number of exhibiting companies and educational conference participation.

In terms of attendance, this year’s Surfaces saw 40,588 people participate, breaking the previous record of 40,389 in 2003. Compared to last year’s 38,209, the 2006 event saw a 6% increase.

There were 1,070 companies who exhibited their products and services this year. That surpassed last year’s record of 1,054. Among the record breaking participation was more than 300 companies who made their Surfaces debut.

With a record number of exhibitors it stands to chance that the total amount of exhibit space would be up and, sure enough, it was, to 515,000 net square feet. In 2005, the show just managed to hit the half-million mark.

Finally, the Educational Conference Program, which was sponsored by Mannington Mills, saw the most people ever attend. A record 2,808 people attended the 42 courses offered along six specific tracks—marketing, business, sales, installation, design and window coverings. This was a 14% jump over last year’s record of 2,456 participants.

“From the very beginning,” said Michelle Troop, Surfaces’ senior show director, “we could seen that Surfaces 2006 was going to be a record year. Attendees and exhibitors alike were signing up for it in record numbers and now we have the largest market to date.”

Chris Davis, president and CEO of the World Floor Covering Association ( WFCA). the official sponsor of Surfaces, added, “It’s hard to believe possible, but each one 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.”

While the dust has barely settled on the ’06 event, Troop concluded, the wheels are already in motion for next year’s Surfaces, noting “attendees and exhibitors can expect even more of what they saw this year.”

Surfaces 2007 will take place Feb. 7 to 9, with the Educational Conference Program starting a day earlier with a series of hands-on workshops. It will once again be held at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.

For more information on attending or exhibiting, contact Hanley Wood, Surfaces’ owner, at 800-547-3477.