The overall convention theme -- Right TEAM, Right TOOLS, Right NOW -- focuses on the importance of fitting members and their sales teams with the right tools for success. This year's closing event will feature special guest speaker and dynamic motivator, Lou Holtz, former head football coach for Notre Dame and the only coach in NCAA history to lead six different teams to bowl games.

The Sales Professionals Convention will run on a separate schedule from the General Convention, with a variety of courses focused on selling skills, flooring industry trends, and fully understanding Flooring America/Flooring Canada products and services. Flooring America and Flooring Canada members will receive a Sales Certification Kit, detailing a certification program with special courses and interactive game tutorials for sales professionals that must be completed online at Flooring America University; and access to Sales Net, a new website to get sales professionals more involved with Flooring America/Flooring Canada programs. In addition, this year's convention will feature special vendor breakouts to help sales professionals more accurately understand the value and benefits of Flooring America/Flooring Canada products to the customer.

Flooring America will introduce several new programs, including the Builder Connection, a program specifically designed to help members get into the custom home builder business, and a new mystery shop program. On Thursday's Education Day during the convention, members can take advantage of 20 different seminars and that evening's Gold Rush event, offering substantial convention-only discounts on core items. The Exhibit Floor opens Friday with over 100 major floorcovering manufacturers in every category presenting the latest additions to their lines.

For more information, telephone (800) 466-6984 ext. 1501.