Anaheim, Calif.—The World Floor Covering Association ( WFCA) has launched www.wfca-pro.org, a sister-site to its consumer Web site www.wfca.org, geared to the flooring professional. The new site provides everything industry members need to know—from legal counsel to the best educational consumer guides on floor covering—as well as an extensive Member Locator tool.

“We created www.wfca-pro.org to facilitate the process of accessing industry information, news updates and advice for the professional,” said Chris Davis, WFCA’s president and CEO. “Our Pro site brings all the materials, news, Web links, key trades and relevant third-party vendors that our members can access in one spot.

“It’s our job to foster the growth of the industry and provide our members with the tools necessary to succeed, so creating a portal with everything a professional needs to run a successful business was a natural for us.” The new site contains all-access areas that are open to the public and a member’s only section that requires a user name and password.

In the all-access area of the site, visitors can access features such as member search that allows users to identify companies in their areas based on business type. This locator is also accessible through the WFCA’s consumer Web site, www.wfca.org, by clicking on “To Find A Floor Covering Professional.” Searchable businesses include retailers, commercial and mobile dealers, design showrooms, manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, installers, cleaning/restoration experts, inspectors, contractors and interior designers.

This section of the site also has an industry calendar that lists every major and minor event, including trade shows, seminars, meetings and other relevant functions scheduled through the third quarter of 2009.

The proprietary section of the site—accessible only to WFCA members—includes a Document Center that offers an extensive library of information, papers, news-letters and articles for the professional. A few of the contents include: Tom Jennings’ monthly column, “Selling More Than the Floor;” the “Jeff King Covers It All” column, providing updates on legal issues affecting the industry; “Nagle’s News,” a monthly newsletter focusing on flooring trends, forecasts and statistics; and “Business Owner,” a semi-monthly newsletter providing basic business management information.

Users have access to all materials produced by and distributed through WFCA, including trade scholarship applications; membership renewal forms; educational materials for owners, managers, sales associates and consumers; and the WFCA “News & Views” newsletter. In addition, all WFCA-commissioned market research with consumer focus groups, retailer studies, market trend surveys and the Financial Management Report can be downloaded.

The site’s exclusive area also offers links to every industry organization, trade show, trade publication and affiliate in the flooring category—everything from A to Z.

To keep members connected and abreast of news, the site includes a forum that provides an interactive area for members to post and discuss issues, ideas and concerns affecting the market.

For more information on the WFCA and its programs, call 800.624.6880.