HICKSVILLE, N.Y.—With various economic indicators pointing to 2011 being a year of positives—at least by the second half—the industry is looking at the 
glass half-full and gearing up for better times. Evidence of this can be seen with Surfaces ’11, as with just under a month to go before the opening bell sounds, officials said the number of exhibiting companies signed up at press time was 13% higher than 2010.
Dana Teague, group director of Surfaces, attributed much of the increase to “new exhibitors signing up at a record pace” with over 125 committed at press time. In addition, “many companies are returning after a year or more absence from the show.”
Manufactures are not the only ones preparing for a positive 2011 as Surfaces officials report registration tracking approximately 20% above last year with almost 10,000 more hotel room nights sold so far.
Also helping to spur renewed interest is Surfaces’ Educational Conference. Sponsored by Floor Covering News, the program was not only expanded through Dec. 16, the sessions were free with exhibit booth registration.
Teague admitted the free registration was “a success” with several classes already sold-out and over 1,000 signed up for the opening general session featuring Aron Ralston, the inspiration behind the hit film “127 Hours.”
When combined with the educational program as part of StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, a trade show for the stone industry that is also run by Surfaces’ owner Hanley Wood, attendees will have 75 cours- es from which to choose. Of those, 49 are geared specifically to Surfaces, with 41 of them being presented for the first time.
“The entire program has been carefully developed to cover a wide array of the most relevant topics in the industry,” explained Chelsie Thornton, conference program manager.
Along with sponsoring Surfaces’ entire educational program, FCNews will once again be taking an active part, with a number of its columnists leading sessions including Lew Migliore, author of “The Claims File,” who will discuss, “New Green Floor Covering Backings and Installation Technology;” Scott Perron, author of “Retailer2Retailer,” who will speak on “Wartime Retail: Strategies for Planning and Executing Success,” and Dave Stafford, frequent contributor to the “Installments” column, will moderate a commercial flooring panel discussion.
For more on Surfaces, visit surfaces.com.