FloorExpo Groups Connect at National Conference in

Hilton Head Island, SC, November 3, 2005--The two FloorExpo divisions – Home Solutions and MultiFamily Solutions - recently met for the group’s 7th Annual National Conference at the Westin Resort Hilton Head Island in South Carolina for an action-packed three-day event. Each year, the conference gets bigger and bigger, according to Dave Gheesling, FloorExpo CEO. This year was no exception. “We’re reaching deeper into our member companies’ organizations every year,” he says. “We’re seeing new faces as we continue to grow the membership and the member companies themselves continue to increase in size. These are exciting times” Once again, flooring contractors from Home Solutions and MultiFamily Solutions united as one to exchange ideas, offer suggestions and discuss the builder and multi-family markets, how the segments differ from one another and ways in which they’re similar. One prospective member, attending the event as a guest, was involved in group discussions as if he’d been on the team for years. “I plan to join the group because it’s so clear to me the value this organization will bring to my company,” he confirms. “Over the course of the two days we spent in Hilton Head, we saw marketing programs, technology tools and so much more we’ll have access to as a member. The conference was the deal-maker.” “This year’s show format was different than in years past,” explains Jay Smith, FloorExpo president. “We kicked things off with a very brief general session that addressed our members and suppliers together, then went straight in to what we’re calling ‘Supply Connect.’” The three-hour networking affair gave Home Solutions and MultiFamily Solutions members alike an opportunity to “connect” with one another and with FloorExpo supplier partners in an exhibit hall setting. “Our supplier partners are an integral part of the FloorExpo network,” Smith states. “We chose to honor them by giving them the spotlight from the onset.” Mike Maxey, Dixie Home’s director of national accounts, couldn’t agree more. “From a supplier standpoint, we could not have asked for a more functional format, or one that better leant itself to community and conversation. The FloorExpo response at Supply Connect was overwhelming.” One of the highlights on the MultiFamily Solutions agenda was a breakout meeting with AIMCO Properties, a large national REIT. Scott Lane, director of procurement, and Richard Barrett, senior vice president of procurement and income development for AIMCO, were both on hand. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate in the meeting,” Lane says. “We’re working diligently to create a program using the MultiFamily Solutions Core Broadloom Product offering. This will be a big win for both of us.” Eric Lundgren of Plummer, whose company services AIMCO, is optimistic about the pending program. “The product discussion we had was helpful in defining our next move. I look forward to bringing this offering to the final stages and then creating others like it that I can bring to all of my customers.” “We have more work to do, but I'm encouraged that we are on the right track,” Graham Howerton, vice president of multifamily solutions, comments. Technology is at the forefront of every industry; the flooring industry is not excluded. “That’s why,” notes Smith, “we’ve developed a suite of interactive tools for both groups. On the MultiFamily Solutions side, we’ve launched a series of offerings that includes Web site and brochure development, e-mail campaign capabilities, and sales presentation tools that complement one another. In addition to those programs, Home Solutions members were introduced to an exciting, new Product Disclosure DVD program for homeowners to review prior to making their final selections.