CCA Global Partners' NEX40 initiative marked a milestone with its first dedicated retreat in January 2025, bringing together 100 young flooring professionals for an innovative blend of peer-driven education and networking at the cooperative's Winter Convention in Orlando.

The event, sponsored by industry leaders Mohawk, Shaw, Engineered Floors, Cali, and Synchrony Financial, showcased CCA's commitment to nurturing its next generation of leaders through practical, hands-on learning experiences.

"We've had the initiative for eight years, and from the beginning, we've had certain suppliers very interested in hosting different events," said Frank Santaniello, director of regional membership consultants, CCA Global. "This was a big step up. Before I could even finish making a pitch, they said, 'We're in, how much do you need?'"

The retreat's format broke new ground by moving away from traditional presentations to interactive "solution room" scenarios. Participants tackled real-world business challenges, from creating targeted marketing campaigns to analyzing financial statements and developing growth strategies.

"We gave them real-life scenarios where they had to work together as a team and come up with a solution," Santaniello explained. "They found that extremely helpful, hearing what others would do in that market."

The event addressed a crucial challenge facing many young leaders in the flooring industry: earning respect while managing more experienced staff. During a town hall session, participants openly discussed navigating age-related challenges in their family businesses.

Tim James, training project manager at CCA University, noted the power of peer-to-peer learning: "They're at a table with their peers who are also taking over businesses from their family, solving this together. We get that power of the cooperative too, where they're sharing best practices and learning from each other."

The retreat's impact extended beyond the formal sessions. "Since last Sunday, there's been four or five of them that just absolutely stick together," Santaniello observed. "Having breakfast this morning with them, they said, 'Frank, I feel like these folks I met here will be sitting here 20 years from now as we're running the business.'"

The success of this inaugural retreat has set a new standard for future NEX40 events, combining professional development with networking opportunities that strengthen the cooperative's next generation of leadership.

Going forward, the initiative will continue through monthly council meetings, bi-monthly webinars, and vendor facility visits, building on the momentum generated by the retreat.