Surfaces 2007 Conference Program Offers 42 Session

Dallas, TX, December 21, 2006--The conference program at Surfaces 2007 offers floor covering professionals what they need to know to help grow their businesses and increase their bottom line. Surfaces has a history of offering the best education in the industry and this year’s program maintains that reputation. The 2007 Conference Program, which is sponsored by Mannington Mills, offers 42 conference sessions to choose from in five targeted tracks--Marketing, Business, Sales, Design and Installation. Retailers, installers, architects, designers, distributors and builders can get all the information they need to succeed, all in one place, at Surfaces 2007. “I attended Surfaces for the first time last year and learned the importance of selling more products to each customer rather than looking for new customers and only offering one product to them,” says Patti Sadowski, Polycoating Systems, Lake Oswego, OR. “We added a new product line to our business with this idea in mind and are starting to see increased sales for a larger dollar amount.” This year’s program delivers hot new topics floor covering professionals need to stay competitive and improve their businesses. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the courses to choose from: “25 Ways to Increase Profits,” “Most Common Failures with Ceramic Tile,” “Showroom Design for Retail Success,” “Advanced Selling Skills--Making it to the Next Level,” “Controlling Overhead Cost,” “Managing Homeowners’ Expectations,” “How to Sell to All Types of Customers” and much more! As always, the program is led by top-notch speakers. Warren Tyler, Jim Walker, David Gobis, CTC, CSI, Deborah Burnett, ASID, Kizer & Bender and Scott Perron are all back for Surfaces 2007 to share business and marketing strategies that will increase attendees’ profit margin in their businesses. New speakers for Surfaces who are sure to bring fresh ideas to the table include Michelle Nichols, BusinessWeek Online writer and sales specialist; Leslie Shiner, MBA; and Les Cunningham--just to name a few. New at Surfaces 2007 is the Designer/Architect Program. This program was created specifically for designers and architects, providing an ideal forum to get continuing education, network with peers and see thousands of the hottest floor covering trends. •The keynote luncheon—“Finding Your Design Inspiration” with Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, takes place Thursday, February 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Noriega-Ortiz, who transforms interiors into environments of living art, was named America’s “Most Brilliant Decorators” for 10 consecutive years by House Beautiful. He will explain his techniques for diffusing everyday reality by creating spectacular designs. •A networking reception at the dazzling TAO Las Vegas, which takes place Thursday, February 8 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., is a perfect opportunity to network with other designers and architects and have some fun. •Design sessions that count toward Continuing Education include: “Designing for the Senses,” “Are Your Rates Fair? How to Stay Competitive,” “Specifying Reclaimed Wood Flooring,” “Dare to be a Different Designer,” Sustainability and the Floor Covering Industry,” “Building Partnerships Across Industries” and “World of Color ID.” •Visit www.Surfaces.com for more information on the Designer/Architect Program. The 2007 Conference Program starts Tuesday, February 6 with Pre-Show Workshops, which cost $85 each ($110 after January 8). Seminars run Wednesday, February 7 – Friday, February 9 for only $60 each ($80 after January 8). For complete course descriptions, speaker bios and schedules, visit www.Surfaces.com. Retailers and installers will have an up-close opportunity to learn time-saving, quality-enhancing techniques from leading installation experts at the Surfaces 2007 Installation Showcase.

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