Flooring Podcast

Pam Bowe, on B2B Technology

January 12, 2005—Pam Bowe, The Bowe Company, discusses the upcoming World Floor Covering Association sponsored seminar she will be leading at Surfaces 2005. Bowe offers a preview of the seminar, which targets retailers with information on B2B or Business-2-Business technology, the software currently available to retailers as well as the competitive, cost savings, productivity and accuracy advantages of acquiring and using the technology. The seminar is scheduled for Wed. and Thurs., Jan. 26 and 27, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Frank O’Neill – The Week in the Floor Covering Industry

January 11, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss: Flooring America’s first infomercial and CCA's purchase of Flooring Canada; Sears Canada’s purchase of Cantrex; R.C. Willey’s new store in California; SunTrust’s raising its rating on Interface to buy; and the dropping of the office vacancy rate in 4th quarter.

Trivers on the Positives and Negatives of Branding

January 10, 2005—Jon Trivers, Marketing Wit & Wisdom discusses the evolution of branding, a trend that has seen many major national brands have migrate toward discount–oriented big box retailers, and how this trend equates to the floor covering industry. Trivers also looks for the Kmart/Sears deal and speculates as to its chances for success.

Special Presentation – WFCA Legislative Counsel Analyze the Presidential Election of 2004

January 9, 2005—In this the initial presentation of a special quarterly series produced by the World Floor Covering Association and FloorRadio, special guests Tim Columbus and Scott Sinder - legislative counsel for the WFCA, with Washington legal firm Collier Shannon Scott - look back at the presidential election of 2004. This first-part of a four part series analyzes what happened in the election, what drove the record turnout, and what issues caught the interest of voters. The second through the fourth and final segments will be aired on Monday, Jan. 17, Monday, Jan. 24 and Monday, Feb. 1.

Lew Migliore, The Industry’s Trouble Shooter and the Case of the Conscience Contractor

January 9, 2005—Lew Migliore, The Industry’s Trouble Shooter, President, LGM Technical Carpet Services discusses an installation where a commercial contractor sought to head-off a potential concrete problem in advance of the installation.

Jon Dougal with a Sustainability Update

January 6, 2005—Jon Dougal, President, Sustainable Design Associates discusses the term sustainability, the draft report from the Green Building Council's, PVC task force and what it means to vinyl flooring producers. Dougal also discusses Green Build 2004, the exhibitors, the attendees and the program and a new project he is involved in Mexico, producing OSB from bamboo waste.

Frank O’Neill – The Most Notable Industry Events of 2004

January 5, 2005—Frank O’Neill, Publisher, Floor Focus magazine and Dave Foster Host, Floor Radio discuss, some of the most notable floor covering industry events of 2004, looking at: The dramatic increases of raw materials prices with the industry and their effects on industry players; Changes within the commercial distribution sector; 2004 and the floor covering retailer; The commercial marketplace; And, industry acquisitions and changes in the manufacturing sector.

Joachim Schafer Previews Domotex 2005

January 4, 2005—Joachim Schafer, President, Hannover Fairs USA, previews Domotex 2005, which is scheduled for Jan. 15-18. Shafer discusses the show’s 10-year history, its recent expansion into tile and stone and the show’s efforts to attract architects and interior designers with Contract World. Schafer also talks about the show’s 1080 exhibitors and its attendees, including those from the U.S.

Chas Sydney Previews the Atlanta Rug Market

January 3, 2005—Chas Sydney, Sr. VP, Floor Coverings, AmericasMart previews the Atlanta International Area Rug Market and discuss how the market will dovetail with the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. Sydney also talks about the AmericasMart organization and its evolution, the National Oriental Rug Show segment of the market and how changes in the way buyers and sellers conduct business has brought changes to the mart. Also discussed, America's Magnificent Carpets Awards and the mart’s new museum of introductions.

Tamara Christian Previews Coverings

January 2, 2005—Tamara Christian, President, National Trade Productions and Show Manager, Coverings discusses the upcoming ceramic tile and stone show, scheduled for May 3-6, its size, the number of anticipated exhibitors and the changes attendees will see in the upcoming show. Christian also discusses her long-range vision for the show, the show’s owners, the conference program and her view of the changing trade show environment.