More than 200 leading manufacturers exhibited the latest innovations in hardwood flooring and related accessories at the 2011 National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Convention, held April 26-29 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif.

In addition to viewing the latest wood flooring products and accessories, attendees also participated in a variety of educational seminars throughout the day. In the opening session, Charles Marshall of M Power Resources LLC presented “Funny Business: How to Make Sure Your Customer Service Isn’t a Joke.” Next, Ed Rigsbee of Rigsbee Research offered a seminar on “Partnering for Profits & Smart Alliances in Difficult Times.”

In the day’s first installation-related seminar, FCI columnist Jon Namba offered an intensive crash course on how to prevent and correct moisture problems in wood flooring installation. In the demonstration theater, Bob Sweezy of Stauf, Steve Lima and Tony Gootee of MAPEI offered a hands-on seminar on “Subfloor Solutions.”

During the awards dinner and roast, new officers were elected. The roast was for retiring executive director/ceo, Ed Korczak. NWFA Golden Mallet Awards were awarded to: Drew Kern, Flooring Works, Milton, Ontario, Canada; Blair Davies, Magna Hardwood Floors International Inc., Calgary, Alberta.

The NWFA Industry Leadership Award was presented to Virgil Hendricks, Mid-West Floor Co., St. Louis. The NWFA Retiring Chairman Award was given to Neil Poland, Mullican Flooring, Johnson City, Tenn. The NWFA Retiring Past Chairman Award was given to Don Finkell, Anderson Hardwood Floors, Clinton, S.C.

The latest NWFA Board nominees are: Wayne Cotton, Wheeler Inc., Pompano Beach, Fla.; Mark Elwell, Bamboo Flooring Hawaii, Honolulu; Enos Farnsworth, Basic Coatings, Toledo; Barry Gork, Timberlake, Chicago; Jamie Lupresto, Diamond Flooring, Elizabethtown, Ky.; Jim Schumacher, 3M, Annadale, N.J.; and John Lessick, Apex Wood Floors, Downer’s Grove, Ill.

NOTE: A slideshow of images from the NWFA convention will appear on the NFT and FCI websites tomorrow.