Tech expert to offer two demonstrations for ‘those who understand what B2B is all about, and those who can barely turn on a computer,' Admission is free.

As part of an ongoing effort to lure reluctant retailers into the world of high tech, attendees at Surfaces 2005 are being invited to presentations aimed at cutting through the "hype and confusion" that is believed to have slowed acceptance of B2B software.

The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) has enlisted the services of a technology and training expert who specializes in floor covering industry. The trade group is hosting two demonstrations at the Venetian Hotel in the Casanova Room 506 at 1 pm during the first two days of Surfaces, which will be held from Jan. 26 - 28 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. Admission to the B2B demonstration is free to Surface 2005 attendees. The WFCA is asking those interested in attending to register at info@wfca.org.

Technology and training expert Pam Bowe will lead presentations aimed at helping retailers evaluate various software products and will demonstrate how B2B can make a business operate more efficiently. WFCA officials stress that the program will be geared to the needs of those who are already computer savvy as well as those still struggling with the technology. "Pam not only works well with those who understand what B2B is all about, she has the great ability to explain the benefits of this technology to those who can barely turn on a computer," said Aaron Pirner, president elect of WFCA and co-chair of the group's Flooring B2B Standard Committee. "Pam has built a solid reputation on her ability to demystify complex technology and to provide pathways for retailers to easily embrace B2B."

The program will highlight new, more user-friendly programs that can run in standard off-the-shelf PCs. using a Windows programs, unlike DOS-based systems of the past. WFCA also noted that the meeting will give floor covering retailers a unique forum to have their questions answered and learn how to save time and money by incorporating powerful new business tools into daily operations. "Ms. Bowe will make sense of the abundance of technical information and product hype that has created a lot of confusion in the marketplace," the WFCA said.

"The result of this confusion has been to keep many floor covering retailers on the sidelines, even though they intuitively recognize B2B is the wave of the future," said D. Christopher Davis, CEO of the WFCA. "The old adage, if it isn't broke, don't fix it really tells the story here. Many retailers are small operations that believe their business model is working well. They don't want to risk incorporating an unproven technology that might get in the way of servicing their customers. Interestingly, this attitude is also shared by retailers doing business in excess of $20,000,000 a year," said Davis.

WHAT: B2B Software demonstration for retailers in the floor covering industry hosted by World Floor Covering Assoc.

WHERE: Casanova Room 506 at the Venetian Hotel (3355 Las Vegas Blvd.)

WHEN: Jan. 26 & 27 at 1 pm

ADMISSION: Free for Surfaces 2005 attendees (Pre-registration is encouraged at info@wfca.org)