By Louis Iannaco
Volume 26/Number 17; January 7/14, 2013
ST. LOUIS—Several companies will take center stage later this month as part of the new National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA) hardwood flooring pavilion set to debut at Surfaces from Jan. 29 to 31 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Several suppliers will also be featured, along with the NWFA and Hardwood Floors magazine networking lounge, where members and prospective members will have ample opportunities to network and browse through the products on display.
“For the first time ever,” said Michael Martin, NWFA’s president and CEO, “the association will host a group of its members in a dedicated wood flooring pavilion at Surfaces, which will house NWFA staff in a central hub for easy access. The space provides a place to meet and also network with our exhibitors.
“Up to 10 NWFA members will take advantage of exhibiting with us with a turnkey kiosk in the pavilion, which is a cost-effective way to participate and take advantage of the traditionally high traffic NWFA receives,” he explained. “Overall, the pavilion is designed to raise the profile of wood flooring within the trade show.”
Companies slated to appear at the pavilion at press time include Ciranova North-America, STEP Warmfloor, Basic Coatings, Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring, Patrick Lumber Co. and Uveeco.
“Surfaces and NWFA have been close partners for several years, working together to develop ideas on how to continue to bring value to the show,” said Amie Gilmore, show director, Surfaces. “This pavilion is a solidifying that huge step in partnership by creating an added layer of value to both our exhibitors and attendees.”
The NWFA Pavilion is located in Bayside Exhibit Hall on Level One of the Mandalay Bay Exhibit Hall in a high-traffic area situated on a main aisle and in close proximity to the S2 Theater, Martin said. Exhibitors who participate in the NWFA Pavilion will receive as part of their booth package e a customizable turnkey dis play with a brochure holder as well as the added ben efits of displaying their products within the NWFA sponsored pavilion.
Worth a visit
Why should retailers/attendees stop by the NWFA pavilion? “With a centralized hub for anyone interested in wood floors,” he said, “attendees can network with our exhibitors, meet with our technical staff, share ideas with Hardwood Floors magazine editors and talk with one another.
“In addition,” he explained, “we will be doing demos in the pavilion as well as the S2 Theater, which is located next to the pavilion. Companies will have the opportunity to utilize the theater to demonstrate the installation of their products.”
As part of the program, on Tuesday, Jan. 29, NWFA chairman-elect, John Lessick of Apex Wood Floors, will present “Beauty Is More Than Skin Deep: Maintaining & Refinishing Wood Floors.”
“NWFA traditionally has exceptional booth traffic that our pavilion exhibitors and member attendees can now capitalize on,” Martin concluded. “By providing a reduced cost to exhibit, a centralized place to network and education through a demo stage, our exhibitors and members receive additional value by attending Surfaces.
“In addition, NWFA can expand the awareness of wood flooring throughout the flooring industry with a larger presence that simply can’t be missed on the show floor.”
For more information about the NWFA Pavilion, call 800.422.4556. For more about Surfaces, call 972.536.6356.