Stone industry participation grows at Surfaces 2002

Surfaces 2002, the global floor-covering marketplace, is set to take place from January 30 to February 1 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, in Las Vegas, NV. The show, which set new record highs for the 2001 event, is slightly ahead of pace over last year in terms of exhibitors and net square footage. The 2002 show could see close to 950 exhibiting companies. The 500,000-plus net square feet of exhibit space will showcase all the latest styles, technology and services. Within these exhibitors, show attendees will see many new companies and product lines.

Attendees can expect the largest increases coming from tile and stone manufacturers. While Surfaces 2001 experienced a 200% increase in companies showcasing stone, tile and other hard surfaces, the 2002 show will continue to see significant growth in this area.

“Surfaces has been a very important show for Daltile in recent years, and we expect that the 2002 show will be just as successful,” said Lori Kirk-Rolley, marketing director of Daltile. “In challenging economic times, it is even more important to leverage our marketing dollars, and we know that Surfaces is the proven way to add value to our marketing program.”

The surveys indicated that 97% of attendees felt Surfaces met or exceeded their expectations, and 93% of them were already making plans to attend the 2002 show. Additionally, 97% of exhibitors rated the show as satisfactory or above, with 92% rating both the quality and quantity of attendees as meeting or exceeding their expectations.

In addition to the exhibition itself, Surfaces provides professionals the opportunity to increase their knowledge at an extensive education program. This year’s lineup features 40 workshops, seminars and panels led by the industry’s leading experts.

“We are seeing an industry that is looking to make very strategic business decisions and get the most return on their investments,” says Michelle Troop, Surfaces show director. “Surfaces provides a successful, proven arena for business to get done, which is why booth sales and registrations are ahead of last year’s show.”

Surfaces is owned by Hanley-Wood, LLC, a leading business-to-business media company in the residential and commercial construction industry. Although Hanley-Wood Exhibitions purchased the Surfaces show in 2001, the previous owner, The World Floor Covering Association, is still very involved in the show. As the official sponsor of the show, the WFCA provides education direction and a

joint certification program, plus an installation contest that brings talented installers into the spotlight. Most importantly, the association is an integral partner, providing the show with strategic insight into the floor covering industry.

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