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DWC Home | Magazine | Back Issues | November 2004 | Trade Show |
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Every
Surface Covered
New product introductions are one of the main reasons floor covering professionals return to Surfaces. Retailers, builders, architects, designers, distributors and installers from around the world attend the show every year to see the latest floor coverings fashions their customers are asking for. From carpet and area rugs to hardwoods, stone, tile, marble and even mixed media, Surfaces presents every product category. Many retailers are now adding product categories to their existing lines to capture more of the consumers’ attention. Retailers will find many new and returning window and wall coverings suppliers participating in Surfaces 2005, many centrally located in this important new pavilion. “While some events focus on one or two product categories, Surfaces is the only event where floor covering professionals can find everything they need,” says Michelle Troop, senior show director. “We understand that retailers, installers, builders and others need all types of products to meet their clients’ needs and Surfaces is committed to providing the full spectrum of products the industry is looking for.” The official sponsor of Surfaces is the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), the floor covering industry’s largest advocacy organization representing floor covering retailers, contractors and allied service providers throughout North America. WFCA is a recognized leader in industry education and certification programs, and influences public policy affecting the floor covering industry and consumers. Surfaces is produced by Hanley Wood, LLC, Dallas, TX, a premier media company serving housing and construction. Through five operating divisions, the company produces marquee trade shows and events and custom marketing solutions among other products. FIND IT, GET IT NOW In addition to finding everything they need at Surfaces, close to 40,000 floor covering professionals also know they can start selling all the new products they find there before their competition. It is vital for retailers to be able to make their buying decisions at the beginning of the year. Surfaces is the only U.S. show committed to this strategic time frame and to filling this important need for the industry. “I attend Surfaces because new trends and innovations are shown there first,” says Dennis Irish, Shamrock Floorcovering Services, Ann Arbor, MI. “Surfaces is the one place you can go all year and meet everyone it is important to see in the industry and learn about the new products,” says Betty Mavity Nesmith, Mavity Transport Storage, Dalton, GA. In addition to seeing 500,000 net square feet of new products and meeting face-to-face with close to 1,000 exhibiting companies, attendees at Surfaces 2005 will get the best education in the industry at the all-new, 41-course conference program. The program for this show also includes experts from the window coverings’ world from designers to educators to business consultants. Attendees also can learn more about how to fight back against Big Box retailers at Town Hall and get practical tips and techniques on installing flooring correctly the first time at the live, how-to demonstrations of the Installation Showcase. IT’S ALL THERE Surfaces 2005 continues to reflect the changes in floor covering trends, including the huge growth in demand for hard surfaces the industry has seen during the past few years. While a significant amount of exhibit space now showcases tile, stone, marble and other hard surfaces, attendees can always expect to see the newest carpet and rug styles. “I attend Surfaces because it gives me the advantage of one-stop shopping,” says David Mandaville, Wayland Carpet, Wayland, MI. “Surfaces offers a one-stop opportunity to find new products and meet new vendors,” agrees Janet Bolton, The Floor Show, South Lake Tahoe, CA. “As a dealer, I can see everything in one spot at Surfaces,” says Warren Magee, Fashionaire Furniture, Napa, CA. “This saves me from having reps in my store one at a time over several weeks.” Surfaces 2005 registration, housing, complete course descriptions and speaker biographies are available online at www.surfacesexpo.com. |