Orlando, Fla.—The International Certified Flooring Installers (CFI) and the Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA) 2023 Convention and Trade Show unveiled its agenda, which will take place September 20-22 here at Rosen Shingle Creek.
The event will showcase the best of both organizations, bringing together a vast network of skilled professionals, industry leaders, distributors and manufacturers. Participants can look forward to a dynamic agenda featuring innovative product demonstrations, cutting-edge technology showcases and industry leading education sessions. With the combined knowledge of 70 years of experience in the flooring industry, this event provides a unique opportunity to learn from the best in the field and gain invaluable insights.
“We are excited to announce this year’s impressive talent lineup for the CFI + FCICA Convention and Trade Show,” said John McHale, CFI director of operations. “Our goal, as we bring together CFI and FCICA for this inaugural event, is to create an enriching experience that celebrates our industry’s collective knowledge and advancements. We look forward to welcoming the flooring installation community to this remarkable event, where connections will be made, skills will be elevated and our industry’s future will be shaped together.”
This year’s event kicks off Sept. 20 at 7 a.m. with the 4th annual golf tournament, providing participants with a chance to showcase their skills on the lush greens of Shingle Creek Golf Club. The day continues with networking events, the First Timers Reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Welcome Reception at 8:00 p.m.
September 21, promises a jam-packed schedule with the Opening Keynote at 8:30 a.m., providing attendees with insights and inspiration from prominent figures in the industry. Throughout the day, participants will have the opportunity to attend education sessions and product demonstrations, exploring the latest trends and solutions in the flooring market. The Trade Show, a focal point of the event, will bring together leading flooring manufacturers, mills and distributors, facilitating valuable interactions and sharing the latest trends, technologies and innovative solutions shaping the future of flooring installation.
“Now in its 30th year, the annual convention has gained a reputation as one of North America’s most important events for the flooring installation market boasting some of the best, and most respected manufacturers and solution providers in one place,” McHale noted.
Attendees can engage with long standing, returning exhibitors including Advanced Adhesives Technologies, Base King LLC, Beno J Gundlach Company, Better Tools, Broadleaf Industries, Federated Insurance, Floor Covering Education Foundation, Go Carrera, Hank’s Specialties, H.B. Fuller Construction Products/TEC, IUAPT, Mapei Corporation, Maxxon, Milliken and Company, Roberts/QEP, Schonox, Spray-lock, Tarkett, Taylor Tools, Tek Stil Concepts, The International Surfaces Event, Traxx Corporation, Uzin Utz/Wolff, Versatrim LLC, Wagner Meters and the World Floor Covering Association.
This year’s Trade Show will also feature a roster of new and noteworthy exhibitors including HTMX Industries, I4F Patents & Technologies, Mohawk/Performance Accessories and TotalWorx by Shaw.
The educational sessions are carefully curated to cater to different interests and needs within the flooring industry, and the highlights include:
- LVP Herringbone & Trims, showcased by Mohawk
- Floor Maintenance – At Installation and Beyond, led by Eric Boender, Starnet
- How to Take Care of Your Tribe, hosted by Women in the Floorcovering Industry
- Pattern Matching, Jerry Miller, Miller’s Consulting, Inc.
- Current Trends in LVP Flooring, featured by Kevin Philips, Novalis Innovative Flooring
The excitement continues into the evening with the Awards Dinner at 6:30 p.m., where outstanding achievements in the industry will be recognized and celebrated.
On the final day, September 22, attendees will continue to be engaged with product demonstrations and a range of educational sessions that include:
- Ask the Attorney, led by Jeff King, legal counsel for WFCA
- Planning the Flooring Job for Success, Module 1 of the CIM program, hosted by Mike Kelly, Synergy Flooring
- Commercial Resilient Seaming, featuring Dick Schmidt, Tarkett
- HR Onboarding, Policies, and Procedures in Flooring
- Rollout Moisture Barriers, showcased by Traxx
- Hazardous Materials Management Plan, presented by Rod Von Busch, C.D.I. Floors
The show will wrap with the Closing Reception and Dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Registration is open, and early bird discounts are available until July 31. For more information, including the schedule, golf tournament, special hotel rates and how to register, exhibit or sponsor, please visit the event website, or contact CFI director of operations, John McHale (jmchale@cfiinstallers.org) or FCICA executive director, CJ Church (catherinec@cim.com).