WFCA Launches New Membership Structure

Dalton, GA, December 12, 2016—The WFCA has announced a series of initiatives to enhance the association’s services to members in the rapidly evolving business environment; the multi-pronged program includes a new membership structure that allows retailers to select a membership tier level conducive to their business needs; striking innovations for the WFCA booth at TISE 2017; a streamlined, easy-to-navigate member website; and WFCA University, an educational program designed to keep retailers at the top of their game.

For the first time since the WFCA was established in 1959, the organization is offering a tiered membership program with three levels of membership: sustaining, leader and advocate. Sustaining members have access to all entry-level options, including signage on WFCA Dealer Locator, WFCA Trade Scholarship reimbursement, the Association’s Financial Benchmarking Report, WFCA University, Public Affairs, Savings4Members business services, complimentary access to legal and business primers, a 20% discount on fcB2B programs, and additional scholarship reimbursements. At the Leader level members get all of the Sustaining level benefits, as well as unrestricted trade scholarship reimbursements up to $500 and a 25% discount on fcB2B services. Retailers at the advocate level, the fourth and highest tier of membership, receive all of the preceding benefits as well as a 30% fcB2B discount, CFI Associate Membership, a 20% discount on all WFCA/CFI training programs, CFI technical services support, access to the CFI installer database, and a company listing on cfiinstallers.org. The scope and benefits of WFCA Associate Membership program will not change under the new membership initiative.

In line with the organization’s mission to help members achieve success and profitability, WFCA has completely redesigned its booth for TISE 2017. The new layout of the space will showcase all that WFCA has to offer its members using the organizations own Six Pillars of Relevance and Success. The segmented areas, which are color-coded include: research, education, member benefits, philanthropy, advocacy and technology.

WFCA.ORG is also undergoing an extensive renovation. Historically the association has supported two websites, one for members and another to reach consumer audiences in an effort to educate them about flooring options. As part of an effort to simplify and streamline communications, WFCA has transformed WFCA.ORG into a site geared towards both the industry and consumers. Key components of the consumer site, including the retailer locator tool, have been folded into a site that is designed to draw members in with new design and continually fresh content. In addition to containing all of the resources previously available through WFCA-PRO.ORG, the new site will also allow existing and new members to join or renew online with all forms necessary to complete the process. WFCA.ORG will debut at TISE 2017.

WFCA has also launched its own retailer education program called WFCA University. The platform, which is available as a subscriber service, consists of primers, research, online training and seminars as well as on-site regional training. It is designed to give professionals a competitive edge and keep them current on the latest business practices. Through WFCA University, there are learning opportunities available for every member of an organization including sales associates, managers, accountants, merchandizers, operations staff, human resources, even owners. The program modules are both live action and animated and provide testing and certification upon completion. In total there are currently 40 training modules available.

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