WASHINGTON—In the city where “change” is the mantra of the day, the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) has followed suit with two major announcements that greatly expand the organization’s interaction and importance within the industry.

The first opens up the association to the retail community with the new Alliance Dealer Member category. It is open to retailers whose primary purpose is the sale of flooring products within North America, and who carry laminate flooring from one or more of NALFA’s regular manufacturing members.

“The development of a category specifically for retailers is a natural extension for us,” said Bill Dearing, NALFA’s president, “due to the relationships our members have with dealers and the contribution this group makes to the laminate flooring industry.”

Along with having the status that accompanies being a member of the only trade association dedicated solely to the laminate flooring, he said membership will provide a tangible return on investment as dealer members will have access to technical information, peer networking— including an industry-specific blog, online video training, Web listing/consumer ZIP code search for retailers on the NALFA Web site, electronic newsletter, market research, legislative information and advertising materials.

Alliance Dealer Membership fees are $249 for one year, $399 for two.

Another membership benefit comes from the association’s second major announcement: the launching of the NALFA Installer Certification School.

Dearing said the two-day course covers all aspects of a quality laminate installation and will give attendees the skills necessary to perform installations to high standards and craftsmanship in the field. It includes both classroom and hands-on activities.

Being certified by the only trade association dedicated solely to laminate flooring provides numerous benefits to both dealers and installers, he explained. First and foremost, this is not a class just anyone can get into, nor is it intended to act as a rubberstamp for participants. To begin with, there is a pre-screening test to get into the program. Put simply, the NALFA Certification School is designed for people with at least two years of experience as a flooring installer. And, at the end of the training, there is a hands-on test along with the grading of installation work.

“Dealers can feel confident their installers have the expertise necessary to do quality laminate installations thereby reducing claims and resulting in satisfied customers if they have gone through and passed the course,” Dearing added.

At the same time, installers get direct access to laminate manufacturers’ technical experts, “so they are kept current on the latest industry information, and they are given a NALFA Certified Installer card, which can translate into a competitive advantage for their services,” he said.

Currently the school is set up to offer a one-time certification. There is an annual renewal fee of $100 to help guarantee installers receive constantly updated information from NALFA members regarding the latest products, tools and techniques in the laminate industry. Dearing noted NALFA does plan to add an advanced training program and there would likely be a recertification requirement for it.

One class per month is being scheduled starting in February and running through November. Dates have been established but, except for the first class, locations are still being finalized.

The first class is set for Feb. 23 and 24 in Philadelphia. It is being taught by Anthony Palandro, a 27-year industry veteran who, since 1998, has been working as an installation instructor for Bayard Sales as well as for Pergo and Kåhrs.

The cost for attending is $450 per person for NALFA members and $500 for nonmembers.

To learn more, visit the NALFA booth #123 at Surfaces.