Well-known, respected keynote speakers. Relevant educational sessions focused on empowering dealers and boosting their profit margins. New technology and program rollouts to enhance the professional floor covering retailers’ operational efficiencies. Attendees who register for the upcoming FloorCon 2023 conference can expect all this and more when the four-day event kicks off Nov. 28 at the Omni Resort on Amelia Island, Fla.
“This will be our fourth convention, officially, but it’s our third live convention,” said Jeff Bieber, vice president of marketing, Broadlume, show organizer and parent company of FloorForce, Creating Your Space, RollMaster and Retail Lead Management. “This year’s FloorCon is going to be bigger, better and more impactful than we’ve ever had before.”
Much like its preceding events, FloorCon 2023—the third annual conference organized by Broadlume—promises to build on its successful track record of putting on high-caliber educational and networking events geared specifically for the specialty floor covering retail community. Beyond the educational component, FloorCon 2023 will also host 40 prominent floor covering manufacturers and partners across the supply chain.
FloorCon has earned a reputation for providing exceptional value to participants, and this year’s event will be no exception, according to Bieber. On the first day of the conference, attendees will have in-depth, one-on-one sessions with manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and technology providers, providing them with essential training to master products and tools. “Last year our trade show had about 17 different manufacturers and exhibitor partners; this year we’re at 49 companies,” Bieber told FCNews. “These are some incredible exhibitors, including our Diamond, Gold and Silver partners.”
High-powered presentations
Tim Tebow, Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback and Major League Baseball player will deliver the opening address on day two of the event. Tebow’s exceptional achievements in professional football, coupled with his inspirational journey, have made him a sought-after speaker and mentor. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear Tebow’s insights firsthand and gain valuable knowledge about success, motivation and leadership and how that can translate to success in the flooring industry.
“Everyone is fired up about Tim Tebow,” Bieber stated. “Not only will he be providing our keynote, but he will also be available—on a limited basis—for meet-and-greet opportunities for a handful of lucky retailers. Every person who attends the show will also get a signed copy of his new book, ‘Mission Possible.’”
Tebow is not the only in-demand speaker on tap for the event. More than a dozen professionals from within and outside the industry will be on hand to share their expertise, advice and lessons learned. These include: Jason Goldberg and Michel Vermette of America’s Floor Source. “These are some heavy hitters,” Bieber said. “They have been on the road for the last 180 days, meeting with dozens of retailers. For FloorCon attendees, they’re going to share and showcase what retailers need to do operationally and financially to grow their companies and run more profitable flooring businesses.”
Other big names include Nick Bock and Erin Stutzman—principals of 31 Street Capital, which owns FloorSource, Flooring Expo, Floors for Living, Total Flooring and Premier Flooring. “They’re one of the top 10 retailers in the country,” Bieber said. “So between Bock, Stutzman and Jason, we’ll have two of the top 10 flooring retailers in the country sharing their knowledge and their process for how they grow their businesses.”
FloorCon 2023 will also feature Brian Elias, chief imagination officer of Refloor, which has grown from zero to $50 million in less than four years. “He will show flooring retailers how to rapidly scale their businesses,” Bieber said.
From the installation side, the convention will feature well-respected presents such as P.J. Arthur (NFIC); Brett Miller (NWFA); and Roland Thompson (CFI).
Presenters will hold a session on how retailers can better position installation and certified installers to increase their prices to improve profitability. “They will also serve as collaborative and supportive arm to help us bring the industry together,” Bieber said. “We’ve always known there’s this divide between installers and retailers, so we are trying to help bridge that divide. In fact, one of the things that we’re going to be offering at FloorCon for free is anyone who has certified installers, we have created a badge which we will verify flooring stores. This way they can put it on their window as a decal and on their website to showcase that they have certified installers on their staff.”
Fresh perspectives
In terms of speakers from outside the flooring industry, FloorCon 2023 is pleased to welcome Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of the namesake famous roadside convenience store and candy store. She will talk about how she bought back her family business from private equity and built it up by using content, digital marketing, storytelling and e-commerce. “She is a tour de force,” Bieber said. “In addition to the main stage, she’ll also be doing a live Q and A with the Women of the Flooring Business Group to help them navigate what it’s like to be a woman in a male-dominated field and how they can continue to dominate their own fields.”
Another presenter, Al Doan (Missouri Star Quilt Company) will share his experience operating a family-owned business. “He’s probably the least known person in the flooring and textiles industry, but he’s an absolute rock star,” Bieber stated. “His mom lost everything in 2008, and he came back and put technology into his mother’s hands. They recorded her on YouTube teaching people how to quilt. They absolutely blew up and are now one of the largest textile companies/quilting companies in the world.”
Rounding out the list of highlighted presenters is an ensemble of coaches and sales trainers such as Cordell Riley, who has worked with some of the largest buying groups and flooring organizations in the world. Then there’s Mike Claudio, who is going to be doing a breakout session in Broadlume’s FloorCon University as well as live, team-building and networking activities. Next up is Bob Kilinski from Centricity, an accidental damage and protection company that Broadlume has partnered with.
Registration is open—and easy
Broadlume is encouraging attendees who haven’t signed up yet to act now to take advantage of the room block. Bieber is expecting upwards of 600 people to attend—which would be among its strongest shows to date. Admission is $599, which includes full access to the show—including the exhibition—and all the special events, presentations, meals and social functions. What’s more, Broadlume is partnering with Informa Exhibitions—owner and operator of Surfaces—in that every person who attends FloorCon will receive a postcard to attend Surfaces for free. Of course, attendees are responsible for their own hotel and travel arrangements.
(Stay tuned for additional updates and special announcements in the weeks leading up to FloorCon.)