More than 700 manufacturers are set to display their latest products and services at Surfaces 2010. Exhibitors say they are excited about Surfaces not only because it gives them the chance to show their newest products, but it also sets the tone for the coming year. The show floor will open on Feb. 2 and run through Feb. 4 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. A pre-conference slate of classes is set for Feb. 1.

Ed Duncan, senior vp marketing for Mannington Mills, says his company sees Surfaces as “an opportunity for the industry to gather, and to really see in one place at one time all of the new products, programs and opportunities dealers have to drive their business in the following year.”

“I don’t know of any other venue where retailers can get in touch with so many manufacturers and suppliers in such a short period of time,” he continued. “Surfaces takes place during a critically important time of year, right before the spring selling season. It’s the perfect time for retailers to align their plans and begin making choices around product, and what they’re going to be doing in their stores.”

He said Mannington (booth #3142) plans to roll out new products across all of its product categories during Surfaces.

Beaulieu of America is hoping to make a strong impression with its exhibit at booth #4706. The company will unveil its latest additions to the Bliss line of residential carpet, including products featuring both Stainmaster fiber and Beaulieu’s Magic Fresh odor treatment.

“This is a huge endorsement for our Magic Fresh treatment,” noted Patricia Flavin, Beaulieu senior vp marketing. “The popular treatment will also have its own Best of Magic Fresh carpet line, and in the works is a new super-soft carpet line.”

For Main Street commercial dealers, Beaulieu will be rolling out Hollytex modular carpet tiles featuring environmentally friendly Nexterra backing. Beaulieu will also exhibit its new Property Management Solutions carpet line and the FashionSmart collection.

“FashionSmart is a collaborative venture with Armstrong Flooring Products to bring the largest, most comprehensive flooring program to builders,” Flavin explained. “It’s a perfect match.”

According to Steven Day, MAPEI’s marketing operations manager, Surfaces is important because it gives manufacturers a chance to interact one-on-one with customers. “Personal contact between members of our corporate team and our customers provides us the best feedback to guide our continued efforts to innovate and grow all our businesses,” he said.

MAPEI will showcase tile and stone installation systems on one side of its booth (#3032), and carpet, wood and resilient installation systems on the other side. Daily demonstrations will be held on a stage at the front of the exhibit.

Mullican Flooring is planning to highlight its green hardwood products and focus on its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, said Brian Greenwell, Mullican vp sales and marketing.

Featured products at its booth area (#4332, 6132) will include its Forest Stewardship Council-certified 100 percent PURE solid domestic and engineered Green Haven products. The company will also introduce a new line of Green Haven exotics.

“The exotics are hardwoods – Brazilian cherry, Tigerwood and some South American species – that will complement our existing Green Haven line,” Greenwell noted.

Edward Sofia, independent channel marketing manager for Armstrong, said his company will exhibit on the show floor this year with an approximately 12,000 sq. ft. booth (#3419, 3426). Last year, the company chose to exhibit in a private ballroom.

“This year we’re on the show floor with an even larger presence,” Sofia said. “This signifies our ongoing commitment to our retail partners. We are committed to the success and profitability of the independent retailers in this environment.”

John Woolsey, vp marketing & merchandising for Anderson Hardwood Floors (booths #1754, #2154, #4012 and #4060), said his company will return to the show floor with its Club Next theme. “We will also be introducing 30 new, affordable, luxury products – some of them revolutionary and very green,” he noted.

“Surfaces acts as a retail focus group for us to evaluate new product ideas,” he added. “For the last five years we have used our Club Next to gauge acceptance for new product ideas from retailers and designers, and this has led to many of the products we introduced in the past, as well as products we will introduce at Surfaces 2010.”

For more information on the show, visit www.surfaces.com.


Surfaces 2010
When: Feb. 1-4, 2010
Where: Sands Expo & Convention Center, Las Vegas
More info: www.Surfaces.com or call (866) 860-1975