Dallas, TX, April 8--Surfaces 2005, in addition to having more exhibiting companies than ever before, increased attendance over last year, had a huge surge in Conference Program registrations and had more international companies participate in Surfaces 2005 than any other year.
More than 200 international companies from around the world exhibited at Surfaces 2005. This is a 45% increase over last year’s show and almost 60% more than 2001, the first year Hanley Wood Exhibitions produced the show. The amount of exhibit space that international exhibitors occupied is also up. More than 65,000 net square feet of the show floor was occupied by international companies at Surfaces 2005, up 23% from 2004 and 50% since 2001.
An increased number of these international exhibitors are new to the show too. This year, approximately 80 of the 213 companies that participated in Surfaces were first-time exhibitors. That’s more than a 30% increase over 2004.
"Each year, we are seeing an increased interest in the show from floor covering manufacturers in all parts of the world," says Michelle Troop, Senior Show Director, Surfaces. "Because of the strength of Surfaces and the large volume of floor covering retailers that attend, many are changing their focus and participating in Surfaces. We anticipate even more international exhibitors as this industry continues to grow and diversify."
Manufacturers came to Surfaces from all over the globe. In addition to many new and returning exhibitors from Italy, Spain, Canada and Mexico, companies came from South America, Russia, Turkey, Australia, all over Europe, China and many other parts of Asia. The Tile of Spain and International Pavilions on the show floor showcased many of these companies.
International manufacturers brought a variety of new products for attendees to see. While the majority of products introduced at the show were hard surfaces, such as tile from Italy, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, China and others, stone from the Dominican Republic, Turkey and Italy and hardwood from all around the globe, there were many soft goods too. Carpets from China were featured, along with area rugs from Australia, New Zealand, India and Japan, laminates from Malaysia and France, bamboo/rattan from Indonesia and accessories and technology from Germany, Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and numerous others. The offerings were extensive, as were the countries represented.
Surfaces 2005, which took place January 26-28 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, drew 38,209 retailers, builders, architects, designers, distributors and installers from around the world to meet face-to-face with 1,054 exhibiting companies in almost 500,000 net square feet of exhibit space.
Surfaces 2006 will take place February 1-3 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.
