Surfaces 2004 is 80 percent sold out; show to feature more space, programs

Surfaces 2004, scheduled for Jan. 28-30 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, is 80 percent sold out, according to event organizer Hanley-Wood. The company added that the upcoming show will feature an additional 30,000 square feet of exhibit space compared to Surfaces 2003.

Companies including Beaulieu, Burlington, Dal-Tile, Domco, DuPont, Formica, Honeywell, Johnsonite, Mannington Mills, Milliken, and Pergo will host exhibits during the 2004 edition of the annual flooring extravaganza. In all, more than 950 companies representing the carpet, rugs, hardwood, tile, stone, marble, and specialty flooring product segments will participate, said Hanley-Wood.

Mohawk, Shaw, Columbia Flooring, Congoleum, and Armstrong have all separately announced that they will not attend the show. By way of explanation, many of the companies said that they wish instead to focus on regional events. Armstrong, the most recent company to bow out, says it wants to make its customer visitation center, Armstrong Avenue, the centerpiece of its business transactions in lieu of trade shows.

New events on tap for Surfaces 2004 include the Surfaces Celebration, a networking event sponsored by Mannington Mills and Surfaces that will feature entertainment by Kool & the Gang, and an installation showcase featuring live demonstration workshops on the show floor co-sponspored by Surfaces, the WFCA and the International Certified Floor Covering Installers Association (CFI).

Additional show information may be obtained by telephoning (800) 547-3477 or visiting www.SurfacesExpo.com on the Internet.