2015 NWFA Expo Was a Blockbuster Event

The view of the Old Courthouse and Gateway Arch, looking eastward from Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis.The 2015 National Wood Flooring Association Wood Flooring Expo ended last week Thursday with a closing reception on the third level of the Edward Jones Dome, home of the St. Louis Rams, where attendees had a view of the show floor as they mingled with football legend Isaac Bruce and the Rams cheerleaders.

St. Louis sports team mascots and the Rams' cheerleaders were on hand for the 2015 NWFA Expo, April 29, 2015 in St. Louis. (Photo by David Stluka)All told, nearly 3,000 NWFA members and wood flooring professionals attended the Expo and celebrated the 30th anniversary of the NWFA in St. Louis, where the association was founded in 1985.

The show was a blockbuster on multiple fronts. In addition to the large pool of attendees, the exhibit space inside the dome sold out. The NWFACP Symposium and Expo education sessions, with topics ranging from the vapor diffusion in concrete to exotic hardwoods, were well-attended.

NWFA Regional Instructor Mike Dittmer demonstrates how to create curved borders at the 2015 NWFA Expo in St. Louis. (Photo by Lauren Justice)The theme of the show was “Play It Forward,” and attendees were presented with many ways to give back during the show.

During the opening sessions, NWFA CEO and President Michael Martin announced partnerships with six organizations—Gateway PGA Reach, Angel’s Arms, Joshua Chamberlain Foundation, Gary Sinise Foundation, Little Bit Foundation and the Hardwood Federation—that had a presence on the show floor to accept donations and provide information.

NWFA members were enthusiastic about the partnerships.

“I believe the attendees respect the fact that although we are successful in our respected careers, we should take the opportunity to give back to individuals in need,” said Enos Farnsworth, Denver Hardwood general manager, in an email.

2015 NWFA Expo Wood Floor of the Year award winners Real Antique Wood with Chairman Jeff Fairbanks. (Photo by David Stluka)He added that this year’s was the best NWFA Expo he has attended.

DriTac Vice President of Sales Chuck Hall echoed that feeling in an email. The company's booth totaled more leads at this year's Expo than during the last three Expos combined, he said.

"We attribute this substantial increase to the outstanding job the NWFA did putting on a great show and DriTac's position as a leading premiere flooring adhesive producer," he said.

Martin said the impact on the industry at this year’s Expo will be long-lasting.

“We look forward to seeing how the success of this year’s Expo will have served as a launch point for many long-term initiatives that will not only benefit NWFA’s members, but also the communities they live in and do business,” Martin said.

Editor's note: The article was updated May 5 to include commentary from DriTac.