Sixth annual post-show review is a hit
Oct. 7/14 2013; Volume 27/number 12
By Melissa McGuire
New York—Architects, designers, end users and facility managers from the New York City metropolitan area recently came together for RD Weis’ sixth annual NeoCon review held here Sept. 25. “A lot of people can’t get to Chicago for NeoCon, whether it’s due to travel restrictions, timing or just because the show is overwhelming from a size and scope standpoint,” explained Randall Weis, president. “Our annual event is intimate and allows attendees to look at product without being rushed. We like bringing these things to our local area. And we plan to do this for many years to come.”
What began as a two-week event six years ago in which RD Weis would host one carpet vendor each workday for a few hours has turned into a successful power evening complete with networking and socializing.
“Tonight we have 20 vendors representing and showcasing their products,” Weis explained. In addition to returning vendors, the event included two new companies rounding out the exhibitors: ASM, offering a low-profile, raised flooring system, and NeverStrip, which showcased its high-performance, water-based urethane designed to replace the labor-intensive wax floor care systems.
“We’ve had top designers visiting here tonight,” said Tandus Centiva’s account executive Brenda Reingald, who has attended all six years. “RD Weis is offering much more than a NeoCon review. This is a great social event and, above all, it’s wonderful for the designers to do a walk-though to view all the new offerings. It’s a fun way to conduct business in a small, social environment.”
Sheri Gorman, LEED AP, director of business development and marketing, said the event began as an Open House lunch at its New York City offices, but space limitations could only accommodate one manufacturer a day. “We invited designers to look at a new manufacturer’s product each day for two weeks.”
Eventually combining carpet manufacturers with a noncompeting resilient, Gorman said the event morphed from a 10-day function with 20 different manufactures into an evening business soirée. “We knew we would need a larger area and found a local showroom to hold a large group of people.”
Summing up the evening, Gorman said, “We obviously expect to get business out of this event, but it also puts the RD Weis name out there. In addition, we’re able to collaborate with our vendors, mills and resilient partners, and we can get together in one space to facilitate new business with designers, clients and end users.”