Features

Inside the Event: NFA Spring Meeting

Friday, April 23, 2021

[Adairsville, Ga.] From social to strategic, the NFA Spring Meeting at Barnsley Gardens delivered. Here is a look at some of the people, products and programs that made this event industry leading.

NFA’s Spring Meeting kicked off its opening night at Barnsley Gardens. Here, the elite retailers and their vendor partners gathered at The Manor House Ruins to start the week of meetings, supplier showcase and some social time.

Joselyn Pederson, Dave Chambers, Howard Imber and Nancy Newton

Lauren Coles, Chris Cosentino, Susan Hadinger, Carrie Edwards Isaac and Mark Sutton

Piet and Sabine Dossche

Donna Mudd and FCW's Amy Rush-Imber

“It’s not so much what you do, but how you do it,” said Jason McSwain, president, NFA as the Alliance honored Piet Dossche, who said, “Thank you for how you work, how you approach the work. I’m thankful for the incredible years, but it’s not in the past.” Here, Piet and Sabine Dossche accept the honor from McSwain.

Added McSwain, “We are thankful for how you work and how you approach the work and thank you for your leadership.”

Dossche said, "Jason and the NFA group is an example of how to do it at retail.”

Jason McSwain with Piet and Sabine Dossche

The NFA honored Shaw Industries’ Vance Bell here at Barnsley Gardens in Georgia.

“When I think of your 14 years as CEO, it is of a faithful Gardner,“ said Jason McSwain, adding that it takes caring and focus.

“I am so happy to be around so many people,” said Bell. “It is really meaningful coming from industry members. When I was a kid, one of my first relationships was with Ron McSwain, Jason’s dad. Ron McSwain is the finest, nicest gentlemen in any walk of life. Ron helped me start my career, Jason is helping me end it,” he said, adding, “You guys are a class act. We are all in it together.”

Jason McSwain and Vance Bell

The Vendor Member “speed dating” day is intense and powerful as issues, such as inventory, pricing and differentiated product selection are addressed. It is also a time when vendors look to the group to support new technologies, designs, merchandising and more.

USFloors emphasized its continued innovation of the Coretec brand in the marketplace. As well, both soft surface and hard surface came to the table with product differentiation for members. Pictured here are Shaw’s Chanel Clifford and Ann McDermott.

Armstrong CEO Michel Vermette met spoke with NFA members about the new team in place and the investment in logistics as well as product launches. “I’m here to listen what’s working well and what’s not work well. We have a dynamic team to lead in the market and I’m excited about eh future and what it holds,” said Vermette.

With American made rigid core, said Happy Feet’s’ Casey Johnson said the company is about to ship 99 percent of product in 24 hours.

Mohawk reviewed the group’s increased business over the year which includes products launched earlier in the year at the company’s Momentum Road Show. Pictured here: Darren Braunstein, Worldwide Wholesale; Chris Cosentino, Hadinger Flooring; Jeff Meadows, Mohawk; Susan Hadinger, Hadinger Flooring; and, Kelly Oberschlake, Mohawk.

Daltile’s Patrick Warren took members through the company’s technologies including StepWise, RevoTile and Defend powered by Microban.

Cali’s Renee Thomas-Jacobs, Bob Fish and Doug Jackson took members through the popular Longboard additions. Noted Jackson, “We love the Coastal lifestyle. We are a lifestyle brand.”

Mannington’s Zack Zehner and Jay Kopelson touted the companies seven Dealers’ Choice Award winning products including the new Microban technology that is enhancing the Adura products.

Republic Floor’s herringbone patterned hardwood offering was a highlight during the vendor meeting.

The MSI team addressed today’s main trends including Reinventing the Nest, Wall Stars, The Great Escape and Gold with Envy, each of which the company had intentional offerings for.

The Dixie Group’s (TDG) TruCor hard surface launched is 3DP (3 D Print) technology. TDG also went strong with its decorative soft surface collection showing previews of the line here in Georgia.

Engineered Floors’ Will Young highlighted the company’s DW Select program.

Shaw’s Scott Sandlin shared the company’s passion and fundraising achievements for St. Jude Children’s Research. In both 2019 and 2020, Shaw was the leading corporate team raising $246,000 last year. Here at the NFA Spring Meeting, dealers had the opportunity through special buys to enter a raffle for an all-expenses paid trip to the St. Jude Marathon in December. Winning retailers were Jason McSwain of McSwain Carpet & Floors and NFA president and Greg Loeffler, Pierce Flooring and Design.