FCNews to again sponsor floor covering tracks
Volume 26/Number 16; Dec. 17/24, 2012
Dallas—As designers and architects prepare to make the trek next month to Las Vegas for S² Surfaces|StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2013, show officials announced attendees will be met with an expanded offering of complementary education customized to meet their specific demands.
Scheduled to take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center from Jan. 28 to Jan. 31, more than 700 manufacturers and suppliers will be displaying their newest products, tools, services and technologies.
Due to popular demand, the S² Designer Day program will be expanded to two full days of product sourcing, tours, education and networking opportunities (Tues., Jan. 29 and Wed., Jan. 30 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). Two celebrity designers will be featured at each day’s Design Luncheon: Erinn Valencich, interior designer, host of numerous HGTV specials and creator of her own furniture line (sponsored by Quick-Step) on Tuesday and John Gidding, architect, designer and host of HGTV’s “Curb Appeal” on Wednesday.
Two off-site tours are also included in the Designer Day program. On Tuesday, participants will tour the 2013 New American Home built by Blue Heron, a Las Vegas-based architect, interior designer and builder selected by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The M Resort Spa & Casino Las Vegas will be the tour stop on Wednesday and will be led by Marnell Carrao Associates, the firm that designed the resort. Designers will receive AIA and Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC) credit for all Designer Day activities and luncheons.
Attendees can purchase a one-day Designer Day package for $100 or a two-day package for $150. The luncheons can be bought a la carte for $60 each.
The Trends Hub, a focal point of the show, will provide a preview of the major color, texture, material and styling trends for 2013. Designed to mimic an R&D laboratory, the area will display many exhibitors’ products as well as an Eco-Lab zone featuring product innovations with sustainable qualifications. In addition, Victoria Redshaw, lead trend forecaster, Scarlet Opus, and other designers will host daily 10 to 15 minute “Live in the Hub” presentations revealing a roundup of trends and products.
A new addition to the show this year that designers might find interesting is the ChromaZone Workshop, presented by Color Marketing Group (CMG) on Thur., Jan. 31 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This workshop is a results-oriented color meeting that presents a myriad of subjects from design to marketing to business. The president of CMG, Mark Woodman, will be the featured speaker. ChromaZone Workshop pricing is based on CMG member status and ranges from $35 for students, who must present a student ID, to $225 for non-members.
To see a full schedule of all the Designer Day events, visit surfaces.com/education program/ designer day. Space is limited for both Designer Day programs and the ChromaZone Workshop and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Another key benefit for designers this year is the corresponding dates of Surfaces and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas with Las Vegas Market’s winter market. It offers designers unlimited opportunities for finding the right products for their customers, noted Dana Teague, group director, Surfaces StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas. Complimentary shuttle service will be provided between both venues.
“Surfaces and StonExpo/ Marmomacc Americas is fo-cused on becoming a vital resource for the design and architect community,” she explained. “Not only are individuals obtaining more information about flooring and natural stone products, they’re also benefiting from the co-location of the Las Vegas Market and the ability to earn many continuing education credits (CEUs) in one week.”
In all, more than 70 business, installation, technical and “hot topic” sessions representing the newest ideas on every challenge, from sealing stone to avoiding problems with floor covering, to effective time management skills will be offered over four days. Topics are designed specifically for floor covering and stone industry professionals. Floor Covering News will again be sponsoring the floor covering tracks.
“Education is imperative to growing a profitable business in today’s market,” said Jennifer Hughes, conference manager. “Surfaces|StonExpo/Marmomac, Americas’ industry-leading educational program, accommodates all levels of understanding from novice through expert. The sessions identify key issues facing the floor covering and stone industries with a focus on helping to improve production, performance and the bottom line.”
Forty of the more than 70 sessions feature new topics covering every business segment. Held Mon., Jan. 28 through Thur., Jan. 31, all sessions are less than two hours in length and do not conflict with exhibit hall hours. This schedule allows attendees ample time on the show floor.
Floor covering and stone industry professionals can elevate their professional standing by earning an S² Masters Certification available in all eight program tracks, Hughes said. “This certification includes a certificate, recognition on the show website and a ribbon for the 2014 badge signifying them as an expert in the field. More than 300 conference attendees from 2012 earned their S2 Masters Certification.
“In addition,” she concluded, “the Surfaces|StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas program offers courses that qualify for credits that are not offered anywhere else.” Select sessions qualify for credit with AIA, AIBD, IDCEC (ASID, IDC, IIDA), IICRC, WFCA and CFI.
All educational sessions require pre-registration. For a complete list of sessions and speakers, or to register for Surfaces|Ston-Expo/Marmomacc Americas, visit surfaces.com or stonexpo.com.