Over 40,000 expected at Surfaces 2006

Surfaces 2006 will take place from February 1 to 3, 2006 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. More than 40,000 retailers, builders, architects, designers, dis-tributors and installers from around the world are expected to be in attendance to see the latest floor covering products, services and technology from over 1,000 exhibiting companies, including many stone-related companies.

â€œExhibitors who participated in Surfaces 2005 told us they had an incredible show,â€ said Michelle Troop, Senior Show Director for Surfaces. â€œThe commitment to the 2006 event shows they are ready for another stellar show.â€

In addition to the record number of companies committed to exhibiting at Surfaces 2006, approximately 6% more space was assigned this year than during the 2005 Space Draw. Each year, more and more companies that have never exhibited at Surfaces are realizing the show's importance in the floor covering industry. As of press time, there was a 12% increase in the number of new companies involved so far.

International participation in Surfaces is also on the rise. Show management anticipates an increase in international companies at Surfaces 2006, especially from Eastern Europe and Latin America. Companies from the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Asia continue to make their plans every year to be part of the event.

Companies related to the stone industry include suppliers of natural stone as well as manufacturers of maintenance products, installation materials and tools and software. Although stone-related companies only make up a percentage of the event, they have been increasing in number during recent years, and some of the seminar programs are now geared specifically toward the natural stone industry.

Educational opportunities

In addition to an extensive exhibition, Surfaces 2006 also features in-depth education for the industry. The 2006 Conference Program is geared toward retailers, builders, architects, designers, distributors and installers, among other professionals. A total of 42 courses will be covering Business, Marketing, Sales, Design, Installation and Window Coverings.

This year's program will include several new topics, including â€œRadiant Heating,â€ â€œRetailer's Most Valuable Practices,â€ â€œInternet Selling: Winning Via the Web,â€ â€œNatural Stone Flooring Installation,â€ â€œEstablishing Small Business Profitability,â€ â€œThe New Aggressive Competitors,â€ â€œCommon Causes of Installation Failuresâ€ and more.

The Surfaces 2006 Conference Program starts Tuesday, January 31, with Pre-Show Workshops, which cost $105. Seminars run Wednesday, February 1, through Friday, February 3, for $75 each. Most of the seminars and workshops in the 2006 program qualify for the certification programs. Show organizer Hanley Wood is a registered provider with the American Institute of Architects (AIA/CES), plus AIBD, ASID, NKBA, IIDA, IDEC, IDC, IFMA and NAHB.

Additionally, the â€œInstallation Showcaseâ€ are live how-to demon-strations that take place right on the show floor, providing retailers and installers with tips and techniques on quality installation.

The official sponsor of Surfaces is the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), the floor covering industry's largest advocacy organization rep-resenting floor covering retailers, contractors and allied service providers throughout North America. The WFCA is a recognized leader in industry education and certification programs, and influences public policy affecting the floor covering industry and consumers.

For more information on exhibiting at or attending the show, visit www.Surfaces.com.

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!