Surfaces 2004 To Host New Education Program

Dallas, TX, Dec. 2--Surfaces 2004 continues to provide floorcovering professionals with the information they need to increase sales and profitability. The 2004 Conference Program, which is sponsored by Mannington Mills, has 41 information-packed sessions with all-new content. Whether you’re a retailer, installer, distributor, designer, architect or builder, there’s something for everyone in the Surfaces 2004 Conference Program. Top-name speakers in the industry will lead the Surfaces 2004 Conference Program. Veterans such as Jim Walker, Warren Tyler, Lew Migliore, Howard Kanare and Patti Fasan are on board to cover hot topics like installation challenges, moisture and mold, working with tile and customer service. Plus, there are many new and exciting speakers, such as Howard Brodsky, Steve Silverman, Gary Johnston, Ed Duncan, Tony Sturrus and Sonna and Lisbeth Calandrino, ready to help lead the 2004 educational sessions. These additions to the speaker lineup will provide some fresh new perspectives to the sales, marketing and business areas of the program with courses like “Make Branding Profitable For You,” “Advertising And Merchandising For Margin” and “Build Your Hard Surfaces Business And ‘Cash In’ On Carpet.” Five targeted tracks--marketing, business, sales, design and installation--allow attendees to choose courses that focus on the key areas of their businesses that need additional direction. With increased competition, floorcovering professionals need to be operating their businesses at the optimum level. To achieve business success and stay competitive, attendees should sign up now for classes that can take their business to that next level. “The saying ‘knowledge is power’ is more important than ever to the success of flooring retailers,” says Rich Leming, Carpet Warehouse and Interiors, Oroville, CA. “With change coming faster than ever, retailers must stay up on the latest trends that influence their success.” “With the downturn in the economy this past year I was planning on reducing the number of people that I bring to Surfaces,” says Peter Messner, Messner Carpeting, Pittsford, NY. “Now that we are experiencing an upturn and seeing the seminars that are being offered, I am increasing the number so we can cover more topics. As an owner, I have selected four seminars that I will attend while my sales manager and commercial project manager attend four that will benefit them.” Workshops, which take place Tuesday, January 27 from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., are in-depth, focused sessions that take place the day before the exhibit hall opens. They cost $90 each before December 31 and $120 each after December 31. Seminars take place Wednesday, January 28 and Thursday, January 29 from 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. and Friday, January 30 from 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. They cost only $60 each before December 31 and $85 each after December 31. Top-notch education isn’t the only thing Surfaces Conference Program attendees will experience at the 2004 show. Any attendee who registers for and attends three or more pre-show workshops and/or seminars will get an Official Surfaces 2004 Conference Kit. The kit, which is sponsored by Mannington Mills, contains a bag, portfolio and pen. As always at Surfaces, attendees can earn credits toward industry certification programs. Many of the workshops and seminars qualify for the World Floor Covering Association’s (WFCA) certification program, which includes the following designations: Certified Flooring Executive (CFE) for floorcovering business owners and managers; Certified Flooring Professional (CFP) for floorcovering specialists; and Certified Flooring Salesperson (CFS) for floorcovering salespeople. Attendees can also earn credits toward their ASID, AIBD, IIDA and—new this year—AIA certifications.

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