Surfaces Again Features Education Lineup

Dallas, TX, Dec. 29, 2008--The 2009 Surfaces Education Program will again have an accomplished lineup of industry educators sharing their expert knowledge and offering real solutions aimed at increasing attendees’ bottom line and the success for the future of their businesses.

The program offers 43 educational sessions to choose from in five targeted tracks – marketing, business, design, installation and sales.
Some of the sessions focusing on increasing profitability and the future of the economy are:

• “Economic Trends and the Outlook for Homebuilding and Remodeling” – Kermit Baker, Ph.D, Boyce Thompson, Editorial Director, BUILDER Magazine, and Sal Alfano, Editorial Director, Remodeling Magazine
• “Overview of Housing and the Macro Economy” – Dennis McGill, Zelman & Associates
• “Increase Your Profitability with ‘S.U.C.C.E.S.S’ – Caren McCabe, McCabe Training & Consulting. LLC
• “POW! ZAP! Supercharge Your Sales!” – Warren Tyler, Motivations Plus
• “Smart Moves in Difficult Times” – Jonathan Trivers, Consultant
• “Prospecting for Profit” – Scott Perron, Big Bob’s of America

New to the program this year are sessions centered on what is trending upward for 2009 and beyond in design, color and purchasing behaviors. Two of the design sessions are walking, interactive tours where attendees can get an up-close look at some the most exclusive properties in Las Vegas such as Wynn Las Vegas with “Wynn Tour with Roger Thomas” led by Roger Thomas, executive vice president Design, Wynn Design and Development and The Shoppes At The Palazzo with “Seek, Experience, Inspire: Finding Your Creative Inspiration” led by Mark Woodman, Owner, Mark Woodman Design & Color.

Additional sessions are:

• “Color Trends for Fall – Winter 2009/2010” – Carolina Calzada, Global Color Research™ Limited
• “Marketing to the Ultimate Power Consumer: WOMEN” – Patricia Flavin, Beaulieu of America
• “Interpreting Generational Marketing Trends” – Annette Callari, ASID, CMG
• “Color Trends for Spring – Summer 2010” – Carolina Calzada, Global Color Research™ Limited

Highlighting the program will be the first-ever General Session – “Prevailing Through the Current Crisis – An Industry Wake-Up Call!” - featuring six of the most distinguished industry executives sharing their insights for the future of floor covering and how they plan on guiding floor covering professionals through these difficult economic conditions. The General Session will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3 in The Venetian Hotel’s Palazzo Ballroom from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and will serve as the opening session of the show and is sponsored by The Floor Covering Institute and Affluent Insights, benefiting the Floor Covering Industry Foundation. The cost to attend is $25.

New to the General Session panel is Rainer Blair, president and CEO, Mapei of Americas. Blair is the president and chief executive officer of MAPEI Americas, where he has responsibility for the North American, South American and Caribbean subsidiaries of the MAPEI Group. Blair joined MAPEI in June 2006 in Deerfield Beach, Florida, headquarters of MAPEI Americas.

Blair joins current panelists Ralph Boe, president and CEO, Beaulieu of America, Tom Davis, president and CEO, Mannington Mills, Tom Lape, president, Mohawk Residential, Randy Merritt, president, Shaw Industries and Frank Ready, executive vice president, Armstrong and CEO, Armstrong North American Floor Products. Moderator for the session is Gerri Willis, anchor, CNN.

Surfaces 2009 takes place Feb. 3 – 5 (Tuesday – Thursday) at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The official sponsor of Surfaces is the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), the floor covering industry's largest advocacy organization representing floor covering retailers, contractors and allied service providers throughout North America.

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