More than 100 Gilford Flooring customers throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee recently attended a two-day event held at Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Florence, Ind. The “Preparing for Spring” event opened with an awards banquet dinner. Guest speaker Randy Merritt, Shaw Industries president, presented “State of the Flooring Industry & Issues Facing Retailers.”

Following Merritt’s speech, Gilford presented customers with 2010 Gilford Advantage Partners (GAP) awards and 100K Club plaques, with numerous award recipients in attendance.

A Business Enhancement Day kicked off the following day with a breakfast Q & A between customers and industry professionals. The panel included Merritt, along with Don Evans, EarthWerks vp; Paul Stringer, Somerset Hardwood vp; and Derek Welbourn, Inhaus ceo. Questions addressed various issues in the industry from the potential anti-dumping legislation to new ways to compete with big box stores.

“Preparing for Spring” concluded with a huge sales event consisting of various flooring products and bargains. In addition, many of Gilford’s vendor partners were in attendance showcasing new products. Dennis Cook, Gilford's president, said the company is already in the process of scheduling a 2012 “Preparing for Spring” event.