Market Maker Events (MME) announced that plans for their regional Flooring Markets are moving forward for the first quarter of 2021. The Flooring Markets are scheduled for January 7-8 at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX, January 28-29, at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta, GA, and February 25-26, at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center, Biloxi, MS. MME would like to thank all of our exhibitors that are committed to supporting our industry and answering our buyers needs by exhibiting in our regional markets.

“We fully intend to host our in-person regional markets,” says Lori Kisner, managing partner of Market Maker Events. “The majority of exhibitors and attendees can drive to our markets, and as long as we’re able to bring our industry together for these extraordinary events safely, we will.  We’re talking with our exhibitors and attendees every day, and I can confidently say that our industry is ready to move forward. A survey sent last week to retailers showed an overwhelming response in support of continuing with our 2021 events as scheduled.”

Market Maker Events announces new dates for the 2021 Southeast Flooring Market. The Southeast Flooring Market (SEFM) will now take place January 28-29 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA.

Health & Safety

Health and safety are critical components for the upcoming Flooring Markets. The MME team is working diligently with convention center executives, vendors, and state and local authorities to design the in-person experience. A preparedness plan with comprehensive health and safety guidelines and protocols will provide attendees with the safest experience possible.

“At this time, it’s mandatory for all attendees, exhibitors, building staff, and show management staff to wear face masks inside each exhibition facility and maintain appropriate physical distancing,” says Barbara Stroup, managing partner of MME. “Masks will be available at registration upon request.”

Additional safety measures include:

• Increased hand sanitizer stations positioned through-out the convention center
• Increased aisle widths to help promote safe physical distancing
• Daily, heightened cleaning of all public spaces, exhibit halls, meeting rooms and registration areas
• Designated buyer hours for “at-risk” attendees
• Arrival appointment times to reduce congestion at the entrance and on the market floor
• Contactless registration process with pre-mailed badges
• Directional traffic in order to help manage traffic flow and encourage physical distancing
• Exhibitors are encouraged to design open booths to allow for open entry and exit points
• Exhibitors and buyers are encouraged to make appointments so that there is enough meeting time to show all needed products, features, and order placement

These plans may adapt and change to limit potential spread effectively.

Additional information regarding the markets, as well as travel and accommodations, is available at https://flooringmarkets.com in the COVID-19 Resource Center.