Nearly 300 flooring contractors and suppliers gathered at the Fuse Alliance conference in Austin, Texas. This year’s event focused on how members can better connect with the architecture and design community in their markets to offer unbiased advice, install better floors and grow their businesses, said Fuse executive director Geoff Gordon.
Cheryl Durst, executive vice president and CEO of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), encouraged contractors to leverage their expertise as an unbiased resource for flooring projects, floor preparation and successful installation methods. As design needs change, contactors can help designers identify ways flooring can help solve problems. For example, open-concept office spaces are starting to become less popular as employees realize they need more privacy and better acoustics for conversations, Durst said.