Dalton GA – July 9, 2013 One of the nation’s most popular designers, Vern Yip, will be the featured speaker at the opening breakfast of FloorTek Expo on September 10 at the NorthWest Georgia Trade & Convention Center, Dalton, Georgia. FloorTek Expo is the flooring industry’s only show devoted to showcasing the most advanced floor making machinery and technology to the most knowledgeable and experienced floor covering professionals in the product design, engineering, operations, management and purchasing fields.

Mr. Yip has appeared in four seasons of the highly popular series Trading Spaces; as well as several HGTV series, such as Deserving Design with Vern Yip, HGTV Urban Oasis, HGTV Star, and is the current host of Bang for Your Buck. He is also an award- winning designer, owner of Vern Yip Designs based in Atlanta, and is a U.S. Ambassador for UNICEF.

Mr. Yip is featured regularly as a contributor to The New York Times, USA Today, and appears on NBC’s Today and Live! With Kelly and Michael. He also writes about design for The Washington Post and HGTV Magazine.

“We believe no one knows more about the importance of good design and the design trends of our culture than Vern Yip,” observed Wanda Ellis, Executive Director of the American Floorcovering Alliance, the organization behind FloorTek Expo. “His insights will be of great interest not only to the product designers in attendance, but to the engineers and technology developers that produce the equipment that capitalize on those trends.”

Mr. Yip will be the featured keynote speaker at the FloorTek Expo invitation-only breakfast served prior to the opening of the show floor on September 10.

About FloorTek Expo
FloorTek Expo is produced by the American Floorcovering Alliance (AFA) and is the heart of innovation and technology for the flooring industry, showcasing machinery, equipment, suppliers and services. It is held at the NorthWest Georgia Trade & Convention Center in Dalton, GA and attracts industry professionals from all over the world and region. To learn more and to register as an exhibitor or visitor go to www.Floor-Tek.com . FloorTek Expo 2013 will be held September 10 – 12, 2013.

Follow us on Twitter @FloorTekExpo

About Vern Yip
One room at a time, Vern Yip is designing his way across America, having knocked down walls and made over countless homes and restaurants during his four seasons on TLC's Trading Spaces, on NBC's Home Intervention , and during his now eight years as one of HGTV’s most recognizable designers. Vern has spread the word on digital home makeovers through AOL and worked hand-in-hand with companies such as Microsoft, Stainmaster carpet, Procter & Gamble, Kraft, and most recently AT&T during their launch of the new AT&T U-verse Wireless Receiver. His successful, national commercial for AT&T aired during some of America’s most watched programs, including the 2012 Super Bowl and the 2012 Grammy Awards. This spring, as part of Vern’s latest collaboration, Diet Pepsi has just released a limited edition Vern Yip can featuring a Peacock pattern created exclusively for Diet Pepsi by Vern. Vern is also in his second year with Home Shopping Network (HSN) where he spearheads the Vern Yip Home line of home décor goods and will be launching his own fabric line in a partnership with Fabricut to premiere in 2014.

Vern's past HGTV projects include four seasons of his own show titled Deserving Design with Vern Yip and two seasons as host and designer of HGTV Urban Oasis. His current work includes the upcoming eighth season of HGTV’s prime-time series HGTV Star and an all new season of Bang for Your Buck, premiering in May of 2013, where he serves as the show’s host and design expert. Whatever he does, Vern's award-winning work has a distinct flair that reflects his expertise as both an architectural and interior designer.

Vern runs his own design company in Atlanta, Vern Yip Designs and his vast array of design tips can be found on-line at vernyip.com. With an undergraduate education from The University of Virginia and an M.B.A. and Master of Architecture from The Georgia Institute of Technology, Vern has used his varied educational background to build a distinguished business. His creations and room transformations range in budget from the notoriously frugal showcased on television to eight-figure projects for high-end clients nationwide, including special event design for one of 2006's highest profile Oscar parties. Regardless of the budget, Vern's design calling card is his attention to detail married with precise, clean-lined interiors balanced with a sense of warmth. Many elements of his eclectic style demonstrate an influence from his love of travel. Vern has traveled to 42 countries in nearly five years. Often with his designs, less is more and something in the room always "pops" due to its graphic nature.

Vern’s projects have amassed an impressive list of design awards including: 2003 Distinguished Southerner Award, 2000 Southeast Designer of the Year, and 1999 Best New Restaurant Design. Additionally, Deserving Design with Vern Yip was nominated for a 2009 NAMIC award for Best Original Life Style Programming. Vern continues to be involved extensively in non-profit work and annually awards scholarships at The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, where he established the Vera Yip Memorial Scholarship (after his Mother). He is also now in his fifth year working closely with UNICEF as a U.S. Ambassador to help raise awareness of the needs of children around the world. Vern is passionate about his work with UNICEF and designed the 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 UNICEF Snowflake Balls that took place in New York’s famous Cipriani. Vern will be returning to UNICEF designing duties for the 2013 UNICEF Snowflake Ball. He also serves as the Founding and National Chair of The UNICEF Experience and will be hosting the third installment of the event to take place this spring in Atlanta.

Recognized on the street, in home improvement centers, and in public venues across America, Vern has been prominently featured in publications such as Entertainment Weekly, People, The New York Times, and USA Today. He is frequently seen on NBC's Today, CNN and Live! with Kelly and Michael. Additionally, Vern is a monthly columnist for The Washington Post where he writes about the worlds of travel and design and has a regular column at HGTV Magazine called Vern Knows where he dispenses the most critical design tips for the home.

About American Floorcovering Alliance
The AFA is located in Dalton, Georgia, and was formed in 1979 to promote the floor covering industry. It is a not for profit association, promoting the industry’s products and services to the world, and educating the members and others through seminars, press releases, and trade shows. Any company may become a member in the association if they are in the floor covering industry or a floor covering related industry. The AFA is financially supported by membership dues and trade shows and is governed by board of directors elected from within the membership. Learn more at www.AmericanFloor.org .

For more information, contact Wanda Ellis at 706-278-4101.