It’s finally here. The National Wood Flooring Association’s Wood Flooring Expo begins on April 17, 2014. But what can you expect this year?
If you’re a NWFA Certified Professional, your education begins one day earlier on Wednesday, April 16 when registration begins at 7 a.m. With two learning tracks open to both Certified Professionals and NWFA members, the NWFA Certified Professionals Symposium starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. You’ll get in-depth briefings on important topics from speakers like Alex Wiedenhoeft, professor and Forest Service employee, Chris Zuzza, founder of C&R Flooring of New England and Jon Namba, editorial director at Floor Covering Installer Magazine and president of Namba Services Inc.
For professionals looking to network, the Welcome Reception at Nashville’s Omni Hotel later that night at 6 p.m. provides the perfect way to relax and chat with other industry insiders. The optional Pub Crawl on Thursday gives you the chance to kick back and talk shop with fellow attendees, and of course there’s always a chance to sit and discuss with people at your hotel.
The full expo fires up its engines on Thursday, April 17 with education sessions starting at 8 a.m. and the Opening General Session starting at 9:15 a.m. The keynote speaker this year will be Robin Crow, founder and CEO of the Dark Horse Institute for Audio Engineering and the author of “Evolve or Die,” which outlines seven steps to reinvigorate your business.
This year, due to previous guests’ feedback and demand, there will be more trade show and education hours. Over 300 exhibitors will be on hand for this year’s show, including two days’ worth of demonstrations from various companies and foundations.
Education sessions have been extended to a full hour per session, with the brand-new Wood Flooring University taking place on Friday afternoon. There are four different tracks depending on your specialty—marketing and sales, technical, management, or AIA/IDCEC. AIA/IDCEC seminars are accredited for CEUs, and NWFA members can earn degree credits for attending seminars. The three-hour event covers topics such as gaining certification, marketing your company on a shoestring, and other subjects for distributors, manufacturers, contractors and industry professionals.
Don’t forget the giveaways by the sponsors; visit their booths to have a chance at winning one of three Dr. Dre Beats hi-def headphones, provided by Welcome Reception sponsors Bona, MAPEI, and Somerset Hardwood Flooring. Somerset, Mulligan Flooring and Wagner Meters will also give away three Bose stereo systems, and many other prizes will be given away by our sponsors. Donate to the NWFA Industry Research Foundation, and you’ll have a chance at a VIP package to the 2014 Country Music Awards, valued at nearly $10,000. It includes two VIP tickets to the awards show and post-event party, airfare for two, two-night hotel stay, and round trip airport transportation.
Come with us and “Strike A Cord” at this year’s NWFA Certified Professionals Symposium.