Floor covering and stone industry professionals seeking a cutting-edge, multi-track educational program to enrich their business development should register today for SURFACES | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas while the conference program is still free with exhibits registration. These industry events are January 28-31, 2013 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

More than 70 business, installation, technical and “hot topic” sessions representing the newest ideas on every challenge from sealing stone to avoiding problems with floor covering to effective time management skills will be offered over four days. Topics are designed specifically for floor covering and stone industry professionals wishing to increase their level of expertise in their field.

“Education is imperative to growing a profitable business in today’s market. SURFACES | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas’ industry educational program accommodates all levels of understanding from novice through expert,” said Jennifer Hughes, Conference Manager. “The sessions identify key issues facing the floor covering and stone industries with a focus on helping to improve production, performance and the bottom line.”

40 of the more than 70 sessions feature brand new topics covering every business segment. Held Monday, January 28 through Thursday, January 31, all sessions are less than 2 hours in length and do not conflict with exhibit hall hours. This schedule allows attendees ample time on the show floor to find new products, services, technologies and innovations.

Here is a list of some of the new sessions offered in this year’s program:
The Science of Sealing Stone
Performance and Sustainability: The Latest in Tile Industry Product Specifications
The Challenges of Installing Large Format Porcelain Tile and Stone
Keys to Effective Time Management – Surviving in a 24/7 World
Glass Tile: A Journey through Design Trends, Colors and Applications
Building Your Marketing Tool Kit
Avoiding Problems with Floor Covering: Getting the Right Product in the Right Place
Stone Fabrication - The Art of Setting Customer Expectations

Social Media in Action: Retailers Share Best Practices

All educational sessions require pre-registration. For a complete list of sessions and speakers, or to register for SURFACES | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, visit www.Surfaces.comor www.StonExpo.com. Online registration is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Floor covering and stone industry professionals can elevate their professional standing by earning an S² Masters Certification available in all eight program tracks. This certification includes a certificate, recognition on the show website and a ribbon for their 2014 badge signifying them as an expert in the field. More than 300 conference attendees from 2012 earned their S2 Masters Certification. In addition, the SURFACES | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas program offers courses that qualify for credits that are not offered anywhere else.  Select sessions qualify for credit with AIA, AIBD, IDCEC (ASID, IDC, IIDA), IICRC, WFCA and CFI.

The official sponsor of SURFACES is the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), the floor covering industry's largest advocacy organization representing floor covering retailers, contractors and allied service providers throughout North America.