Las Vegas—Daltile is featuring its latest new STARE products, its Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces extra-large porcelain slab line, tile and stone products, Marazzi products and American Olean products during the HD Expo + Conference 2024 here April 30–May 2 in Booth #4127. “STARE was developed to offer our customers the height of fashion,” said Laura Grill, director of product design for Dal-Tile. “STARE is the ultimate source for fashion-driven looks. Our new collections embody many of the hottest trends in both tile and overall interior design.” Fall 2023 launch Fyre The handcrafted glazed cera ..read more

Atlanta—Coverings, North America’s preeminent event for the ceramic tile and natural stone industry, has named the winners of its 2024 Best Booth Awards. The program recognizes outstanding exhibitor booths at Coverings, with this year’s winners including three Best in Show displays and awards for Best Concept, Best Display and Best Green Booth. “The Coverings 2024 Best Booth winners revitalize the meaning of true innovation and inspire creativity with a range of formats, colors, styles and applications,” said Jenn Heinold, president of Taffy Event Strategies, the show management company for C ..read more

Scott Humphrey Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) has extended CEO Scott Humphrey’s leadership through January 2028, with the option for renewal on a yearly basis. This extension underscores the board’s confidence in Humphrey’s visionary leadership, which has propelled the association’s expansion, increased its industry influence, and adeptly navigated challenges and opportunities. “Under Scott Humphrey’s leadership, the WFCA has seen unprecedented growth and strategic innovation,” stated Sam O’Krent, WFCA chairman. “His foresight has not only navigated us through significant i ..read more

“The job to improve is never finished,” said Aaron Lee, CEO of Smith.ai, a firm specializing in automated voice systems. His statement reflects the mentality seen across the board with software technology providers within the flooring industry. Their goal is to offer retailers continuous updates and improvements to not only help retailers operate more efficiently and streamline their day-to-day operations, but to also increase their profitability in the process. FCNews spoke with the industry’s top technology companies to learn about their latest innovations. Broadlume To better serve shoppe ..read more

Pottstown, Pa.—Mobile Marketing was recently named a Premier Partner in the Google Partner program for 2024. “We are proud to have received the Google Premier Partner designation,” said Carole Cross, managing director of Mobile Marketing, a Cyncly Company and the flooring industry’s leading web services and digital marketing solution provider in North America. “We work with retailers to meet their individual goals and find quality, in-market leads to increase their business. This designation reflects that dedication to our clients.” This status is awarded to the top 3% of Google’s marketing pa ..read more

Marco Andretti Deerfield Beach, Fla.—Mapei, a leading global manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and chemical products for the construction industry, will unveil the No. 98 Mapei/CURB Honda as part of the Andretti INDYCAR program. The car will be driven by racing icon Marco Andretti at the upcoming 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. “We are excited to unveil with the Andretti team the No. 98 Mapei/CURB Honda, which will proudly represent Mapei on the track at the Indianapolis 500,” said Luigi Di Geso, Mapei Corporation’s president and CEO. “Our sponsorship of the An ..read more

Calhoun, Ga.—Mohawk is commemorating Earth Day by highlighting its commitment to planet-friendly flooring products and initiatives such as PureTech and the “Live Pure” campaign. “With a focus on spreading awareness of not only PureTech’s sustainable and performance attributes but also the fight against ocean plastic in collaboration with Plastic Bank, ‘Live Pure’ will help our retail partners drive traffic in store and increase leads,” said Kelli Widdifield, Mohawk’s senior vice president of marketing. “Earth Day is the perfect time for retailers to activate the campaign to reach new customers ..read more

Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) released a new “Tuesday Tips” this week. In the series, WFCA experts presents short video tips for improving customer service and optimizing staff performance. In the end, it’s all about understanding the importance of being 1% better than your competition. In this week’s “Tuesday Tips,” Tom Jennings reminds us that customers are aware of when they are rushed through a process or transaction. Slow down, build a relationship and you will build trust, he advised. The post Tuesday Tips: Slow down and build a relationship appeared first on F ..read more

Atlanta—Merola Tile Distributors of America introduced Valor, its new line of premium, American-made porcelain tiles at Coverings. Valor tiles, available in a 6-inch x 24-inch format, aim to capture the essence of America with their distinctive wood-grain appearance, designed to bring a rustic, gritty strength into any outdoor setting. John Merola, CEO of Merola Tile, conceptualized Valor, which was inspired by his profound love for the country and deep respect for the veterans who have valiantly served to protect our freedoms. “This product is more than just a tile; it’s a heartfelt tribute t ..read more

Adhesives can be a tricky category, especially when it comes to a flooring sale. Luckily, adhesive manufacturers know just how to position their products to the benefit of the retail sales associate. Here are their top five tips on how to successfully sell adhesives: Focus on performance “The most important thing about an adhesive is the thought of it as part of a system for a successful product installation. It is like the tires of a car giving it the performance it needs to handle the situation in which it will be used.” —Karl Danzer senior product manager Performance Accessories Talk abou ..read more