ST. LOUIS—The Floor Installation Association of North America (FIANA) welcomed members from all across the country to its 14th Annual Convention & Tradeshow here at the Hyatt Regency Union Station, spanning three days—Oct. 16 to 18.

The show gave personnel— from manufacturers and distributors alike—in the floor installation products/sundries business a chance to network, learn and grow. It included seminars, speakers, a new product showcase as well as an opportunity for peer interchange or networking.Approximately 300 professionals attended the event.

While attendance at the convention was off from last year’s event—down by approximately 25%—the show “was excellent,” according to FIANA president/CEO, Jim Lee. “I feel the manufacturers were pleased, and the distributors were as well. Attendance was off, as was expected. The national economy and the drastic downturn in new home construction really hit some areas and some of our members extremely hard.

“In addition,” he explained, “we had mergers and members buying members, and that affects attendance. The overall mood was good. Our hotel proved to be an excellent venue for a group our size. Our speakers covered a number of important issues that related to the current economy and changing demographics of our country. Topics included aggressive selling, bottom-line profit building in a tough market and sales and marketing to Hispanics, a growing part of the floor installation business.”

John Maddy, executive manager of Carpet Shims, one of the show’s exhibitors, said, “Our impression of the show was good, as always. FIANA does a great job with its events. As a matter of fact, this was the only one we attended this year. The mood of the attendees was not as bright as I would have like to see it, but we understand completely. With housing down as low as it is, it affects all of us. It’s rather hard to be optimistic when the news keeps saying the industry will not see much of a recovery until 2011.”

Maddy, who was appointed to FIANA’s board during the show, said he is looking forward to helping the organization in the future in any way possible. As for Carpet Shims, with the industry in the shape it is in, he noted, things for the company were as good as they could possibly be at this time.”

According to Lee, most of the show’s exhibitors were of the tabletop variety, but some had display booths. “We had 51 manufacturers exhibiting in 71 booths, which was off by about 10% from last year. I feel all who attended went home pleased with the overall convention and trade show.”

One extremely positive aspect that occurred at the event for Carpet Shims, noted Maddy, was the hiring of two sales representatives, Ray Knapp and Ted Killpack, who will be calling on distributors throughout the U.S. “Ray and Ted are extremely knowledgeable of the industry and their history shows they’re extremely hard workers. With this addition to our field support, we have become more optimistic for our future.”

For more information about FIANA, call 888.883.4262.