Manchester, N.H.—CCA Global Partners has determined that its annual 2020 summer conventions for their cooperative flooring groups will be going digital. Carpet One Floor & Home, ProSource, Flooring America and Flooring Canada, Floor Trader and the International Design Guild will hold their summer convention as a virtual event the week of August 10.
In light of the current pandemic and its impact on travel and local business, CCA said this will be the best way to continue to provide members with important updates, training and buying opportunities. “The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives in many ways,” said shared Howard Brodsky, co-CEO of CCA Global Partners. “It has altered the way we do business, travel, communicate and entertain ourselves. Some of these changes are merely temporary, but some will have a lasting impact.”
While details are still being worked out, CCA said it expects to have many similarities to the live events–a live agenda will include a general session, keynotes, training sessions and a virtual exhibit hall.
The digital format will allow store owners to invite more managers, sales professionals and staff to attend the virtual events. In the past, it has been difficult to bring additional people to the conventions, the group said.
“Many of our members have already had to make hard decisions in their business and will continue to deal with hardship as businesses are closed and our economy takes a hit,” said Rick Bennet, co-CEO of CCA Global Partners. “The switch to a virtual convention will give our members more time to recover from these hardships and open up the convention opportunity to more of our retailers that will need all the benefits CCA has to offer.”
CCA will work in the coming months to develop technology and digital solutions to meet its convention needs. The group said it aims to have opportunities for member engagement and interaction as well as a diverse agenda of speakers to provide all attendees with insightful information and valuable training.
“Whenever our cooperative has been faced with a challenge, we’ve been able to be flexible and innovative in order to thrive,” Brodsky added. “This is a make-it-work moment and I’m confident this virtual convention experience will be highly effective. We will come together even while we are far apart.”