The mood on the trade show floor during Surfaces 2012, held Jan. 24-26, was upbeat as members of the wood flooring industry look forward to a prosperous year. Though official attendance figures have yet to be released, it was clear that attendance during the first two days was solid, while it was markedly down on the third day.
Several exhibitors told Hardwood Floors that overall booth traffic was up this year compared with last year's show.
"It was a tremendous year, one of the best we have had," said Ron Sadri, co-owner at Provenza Floors/RJMS Enterprises Inc. (Santa Ana, Calif.). "Last year was OK, and this year we doubled our traffic."
"The show was fantastic," said David Ford, vice president of sales and marketing at Stauf Adhesives USA LLC (Memphis, Tenn.). "We had probably our busiest year at Surfaces."
Michael Martin, CEO of the NWFA, said the association was successful at reaching the wood flooring industry during Surfaces. "It's important for us to be at Surfaces so we can connect with existing NWFA members and then also recruit new members," he said. "In fact, we were able to recruit 12 new members during the show. We also use it as an opportunity to explain NWFA services that they might not be aware of."
Surfaces proved productive for attendees, as well. Chris Zizza, president at C & R Flooring Inc. (Needham, Mass.), used the opportunity to improve his network and find new products. "I strengthen my existing relationships every year at the show. That is a given," Zizza said. "Plus, I discovered three new products."
Manufacturers also took feedback from the show to gauge how they could fare in 2012.
"2011 was actually a great year for us," said Sadri, "and I think 2012 is going to be another great year for us despite the fact of what we are hearing in the media."
"In 2012, we will gain two or maybe three more distributors," said Stauf's Ford, "and we will also release new products."
Ford also noted that his company is gearing up for the 2012 NWFA Wood Flooring Expo, which will take place April 10-13 in Orlando, Fla.
"We're looking forward to the NWFA Expo so that we can meet directly with the wood flooring industry," Ford said. "As much as we like flooring distributors, the wood floor guys are our bread and butter."
The NWFA also took the opportunity to reach new potential exhibitors for its upcoming Expo. "During Surfaces, we were able to bring companies into the NWFA fold, like the four companies who signed up to exhibit," Martin said.
