KANSAS CITY, MO.—With the 18th annual International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) convention just around the corner here, the group is making final preparations for what is shaping up to be “one of the greatest shows in years,” according to officials.
While conventions are generally a time to pick up some new information on products and ways to improve one’s business, few offer the educational, training and networking opportunities as the CFI’s.
“There’s no place that offers the number of educational events that cover all flooring surfaces and business aspects of installation,” said Jim Walker, CFI’s CEO. “Those who attend will return home with a wealth of knowledge.”
While mostly geared for installers, the convention is open to any person in the industry interested in gaining more knowledge about what it takes to professionally install today’s technologically advanced floor coverings. “As a designer, we have the opportunity to view the manner in which installation is done correctly,” said Bernie Madden, president of Madden-McFarland Interiors of Leawood, Kan. “We return home with the opportunity to offer our clients more and become the firm others emulate because we do it right.”
He added the installers and contractors who attend the convention are the “cream of the crop. They not only dress and act the role of quality but provide the clients with the flooring experience we expect. Our company installs flooring throughout the nation and we can be assured it is always installed to
our expectations [with a CFI person]. This convention is a must for dealers who are truly concerned about their clientele.”
The three-day event kicks off with the annual Leadership Conference, sponsored by the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA). Returning by popular demand to keynote the event is Dennis Brown, a.k.a. “Mr. Attitude is Everything!” Brown headlined the 2006 Leadership Conference and received rave reviews.
“What could be more exciting than this type of motivation during today’s difficult times?” asked Roy Davison, CFI’s immediate past president. “WFCA opens the doors annually to the CFI convention with speakers who not only motivate, but offer an abundance of opportunities to enhance the daily life of those in attendance.”
But the CFI convention is truly about hands-on education, and following the Leader- ship Conference attendees will be treated to a jam-packed offering of training. And, the sessions are not all just about installation; they involve general business training as well as product education.
The workshops and seminars include topics such as “The Next Step for a Business Owner;” “Spray Adhesives that Work the Best with Flooring;” “Laminate Installation;” “Specialty Resilient Products Installation;” “Ceramic Techniques that Really Work;” “Latest Methods for Testing Concrete;” “What’s New in Wood Flooring?” “Re- view of Carpet Backings and Installation Techniques;” “Dressing and Grinding Concrete Joints and Cracks,” and “Focus Workshop.”
For more information, call CFI at 816.231.4646.