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Denver hosted 3,502 wood flooring professionals at the NWFA Convention, which is the largest convention in the world dedicated exclusively to hardwood flooring. Held April 10-13, the show had 321 companies exhibiting in 566 booths.

"The expo continues to grow," said NWFA executive director and CEO Ed Korczak on the final day of the show. "This year we had 15 companies over and above last year, and the traffic was steady and consistent. Exhibitors were pleased with the quality of the crowd."

"We are relatively new this year, and I think we had a good show. We saw new things we were looking for with other suppliers, and we got a lot of good feedback," said Mike Johnsen, wood flooring division president of Cikel Brasil Verde S/A.

The keynote speaker of the convention was former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, who kicked things off with his presentation on professionalism. The show also featured a full slate of education seminars and technical demonstrations. Next year’s host city for the NWFA Convention will be Fort Lauderdale, Fla., March 26-29, 2008. New officers were appointed at the NWFA Convention. They include Ken Schumacher of Schumacher and Co. Inc. (Newport, Ky.) as Chairman; Rick Holden of Derr Flooring Company (Willow Grove, Penn.) as Vice Chairman; Neil Poland of Mullican Flooring (Johnson City, Tenn.) as Treasurer; Don Finkell of Anderson Hardwood Floors (Clinton, S.C.) as Secretary; and Joe Audino of Rode Bros. Floors (Las Vegas) as Immediate Past Chairman. Five NWFA members were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Directors: Jeff Fairbanks, Palo Duro Hardwoods (Denver); Sprigg Lynn, Universal Floors (Washington, D.C.); Kevin Mullany, Benchmark Wood Floors (Albuquerque, N.M.); Bob Nichols, Superior Products (Elkridge, Md.); and Greg Pray, Columbia Flooring, (Danville, Va.). They join mid-term directors Tom Anstett of Powernail Company (Lake Zurich, Ill.); Bill Costello of Dura Seal (Olive Branch, Miss.); James Gray of Floor Style Products (Hastings, Mich.); Leonard Hall of Endurance Floor Company (Miami); Glen Miller of Preverco (Etobicoke, Ontario); and Terry O’Neill of TRC Distribution (Calgary, Alberta). Ex-officio directors include Dewevai Buchanan of Mohawk Industries (Dalton, Ga.) and John Lessick of Apex Wood Floors (Downers Grove, Ill.). Board members who completed their terms at the convention include Galen Fitzel of 3M (St. Paul, Minn.); Donna Millard of Columbia Flooring (Ellijay, Ga.); Yvette Monroe of R & R Hardwood (Boise, Idaho); and Barry Nelson of Yarema Marquetry (Troy, Mich.). Winners of this year’s Wood Floor of the Year Awards were announced at the Awards Dinner on April 12. There were a record-breaking 214 entries in this year’s competition, which featured 10 categories. NWFA members selected the winners for each award by voting online prior to the show in Denver. Winners included:

Best Kitchen/Dining Room: Johnson Yarema Hardwood Floors (Troy, Mich.)

Best Living Room/Family Room: Birger Juell Ltd. (Chicago)

Best Library/Office: Czar Floors (Newton, Pa.)

Best Bedroom: DM Hardwood Designs (Mission Viejo, Calif.)

Best Entry/Foyer (tie): Mountain Impressions Hardwood Flooring (Carbondale, Colo.) and Enmar Hardwood Flooring Inc. (Mesa, Ariz.)

Best Commercial/Showroom: Czar Floors

Best Restoration: Czar Floors

Best Factory-Finished: Universal Floors (Washington, D.C.)

Best Limited Species: Birger Juell Ltd.

Best Reclaimed: Enmar Hardwood Flooring Inc.

In addition to the educational seminars and technical demonstrations now synonymous with the NWFA convention, the 2007 show also featured the Xtreme Makeover Competition. This competition gave three teams eight hours to transform an 8-by-8-foot panel into a work of art using only the on-site materials provided. The first-place team for the prefinished category included Joe Boone of Wood Floors Online.com Inc. (Jacksonville Beach, Fla.), Charles Peterson of The International Parquetry Historical Society (Gales Ferry, Conn.); Trevor Hayden of Designer Hardwood Flooring (Omaha, Neb.); and Steve Adams of Adams Hardwood Floors (West Townshend, Vt.). For the unfinished category, the first-place team included Sprigg Lynn, Shawn Gorman and Jonathan Hurley, Universal Floors (Washington, D.C.); and Bob Humphreys, Majestic Wood Floors Inc. (Frederick, Md.) The second-place team was made up of Tony and Terry Robison, Washington Wood Floors Inc. (Kingston,Wash.); and Evandro and Alisson Carvalho, Maximum Hardwood Floors Corp. (Coral Springs, Fla.). The products used for the competition were donated by 3M, Basic Coatings LLC, BonaKemi USA, Clarke American Sanders, Dura Seal, Lägler, Mullican Hardwood Flooring, Oshkosh Designs, Ozark Mountain Hardwood Flooring, Palo Duro, Rare Earth Hardwoods, Stuart Flooring Corp., Ward Hardwood Flooring, Waterlox and W.D. Flooring. Prizes were donated by Cumi Canada, Timbermate USA, 3M, Beno J. Gundlach, Chemque, Dura Seal, DuraTool, Lenmar, Polo Plaz and Wagner Electronics. Golden Mallet Awards, given to those companies who recruited at least four new members in a year, were given to John Dailey of Midwest Restoration and Inspection Service (Wheaton, Ill.), Joseph and Michael Glavin of Philadelphia Floor Store Inc. (Conshohocken, Penn.) and Ricardo Pairazaman of Woods of the World (Durham, N.C.).

In 2006, 60 NWFA members earned degrees. At the show in Denver, those receiving Craftsman Degrees (for professional wood flooring education) included Steve Adams, Chad Baker, Johannes Boonstra, Alisson Carvalho, Cameron DeMar, Juan Farfan, Don Finkell, Barry Gork, David Harrison, Gene Jarka, Drew Kern, Steve Lima, Mark Mukosiej and Jeferson Verardi.

Those receiving the Master Craftsman Degrees at the show (for advanced knowledge and demonstrated wood flooring skills) included Roger Barker, Jamie Lupresto, Daniel Racareanu, Tony Robison, Mark Scheller and Frank Szubart.

Wood flooring professionals at the show who earned the Advanced Master Degree (for further advanced knowledge and demonstrated wood flooring skills) included Pat Cooney, Ron Hendricks, John Mayers, Yvette Monroe, Kevin Mullany, Charles Peterson, Dave Posey and A.J. Winstead.

Honored with the Vanguard Degree at the convention (for leadership and service to the industry) were Tom Anstett, Fred Brotherly, Bob Burton, John Dailey, Rob Johnson, Trip Lanham, Craig McIntosh, Richard Wheeler and Marlin Yoder.

And, wood flooring professionals who received the Ambassador Degree at the show (for those who have earned the Vanguard Degree and continue to serve the industry) included Joe Audino, Len Daubler, Rick Holden, Neil Poland and Jim Schumacher. Carl and Edgar Anstett, brothers who founded Powernail Company in 1946, were both given NWFA Hall of Fame Awards for their commitment and dedication in uniting all segments of the wood flooring industry. Their first patent was the Powernail wood flooring nailer and Powercleat system in 1947. Celebrating its 50^th year, Powernail is now operated by Carl Anstett’s sons, Tom and David Anstett. As of the time of the convention, the NWFA membership exceeded 4,116 member companies. These companies can be found in all 50 United States, as well as 53 countries. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has approved Armstrong Holding Inc.’s (Lancaster, Pa.) settlement with its former subsidiary, Armstrong World Industries Inc. Under the settlement, first announced February 27, Armstrong Holdings will receive approximately $22 million in cash, plus 98,697 shares of reorganized AWI common stock worth approximately $5 million.

In other company news, Armstrong World Industries reported fourth quarter 2006 net sales of $817.3 million, 2 percent higher than fourth quarter net sales of $805.5 million in 2005. The 2006 income from continuing operations increased to $16.5 million from a $10.1 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2005. Wood flooring net sales of $192.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2006 decreased 8 percent from $209 million the prior year. This decrease was primarily driven by the weak U.S. housing markets, which reduced the volume of solid wood floors. For all of 2006, net sales were $3,425.9 million compared with $3,326.6 million for 2005. Excluding the $8 million favorable impact from exchange rates, net sales increased by 3 percent. All segments grew sales except resilient flooring. Reported operating income for the year was $219.8 million compared to $101.1 million for 2005. Adjusted operating income of $254.9 million increased 53 percent compared to adjusted operating income of $166.8 million in the prior year. Mullican Flooring (Johnson City, Tenn.) donated more than 2,000 square feet of engineered wood flooring to what is known as the "House of Hope," a home designed to accommodate homeowner J.T. Townsend’s wheelchair and other disability needs. This project was an endeavor by PGA Tour Pro Fred Funk, who built the house after hearing how the now 20-year-old Townsend was injured in a high school football game in 2004.

Bamboo Flooring Hawaii LLC (Honolulu, Hawaii) was recently featured on two episodes of the WE network show "Kari Whitman, Designer to the Stars." Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen had the company’s eco-friendly Palmwood Hawaii coconut floors installed in her Hawaiian-themed room.

Mannington Mills (Salem, N.J.) is currently accepting nominations for its 2007 Stand on a Better World Awards. These awards celebrate women who make a difference in the lives of people and communities locally as well as globally. For more information, visit www.standonabetterworld.com.

Mapei Corporation (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) celebrated its 70^th anniversary by treating guests to theater performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Madame Butterfly February 10 and February 15 respectively. More than 2,600 people attended the events held in Milan, Italy, which was where the company originated in 1937 as a small family business. Today, it employs more than 4,800 employees and had a revenue of 1.45 billion euros in 2006.

Maxwell Hardwood Flooring (Monticello, Ark.) has added a 600-horsepower Fire Tube Boiler to recycle the waste leftover from milling to create pellet fuel, a renewable, clean-burning and efficient heating alternative used in free-standing residential wood stoves. The company has built a wood pellet manufacturing facility adjacent to its current wood flooring manufacturing facility. The new facility houses Maxwell Hardwood’s sister company, Bio-Wood, which will produce wood pellets under the Pennington Nature’s Heat Pellets brand. Partners in this operation include Pennington Seed Inc. (Madison, Ga.) and Wilson Maxwell and Kristi Maxwell-Prince.

Madenorte S/A Laminados e Compensados (Jurunas, Brazil) has received the Top of Quality Ambiental-2007 award from the Brazilian Parliamentarians Order. The award, which was given on March 24, recognizes companies for their efforts regarding social and environmental responsbility; Madenorte was recognized for going beyond environmental laws to seek continuous improvement in sustainable development. JG Architectural Supply (Linthicum, Md.), a wholesale distributor of environmentally friendly hardwood flooring products, opened at the end of 2006. The company, founded by former public health consultant John Gasparine, offers FSC-certified exotic wood flooring from South America and reclaimed flooring from around the world. For more information, call 877/482-4771, e-mail john@jgarchitectural.com, or visit www.jgarchitectural.com. NOFMA: The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association (Memphis, Tenn.) has released a technical information paper with its recommendation on how to glue down NOFMA-certified solid wood flooring directly to slab. The paper can be downloaded for free or purchased for $5 by visiting www.nofma.org/gluedown.

The International Wood Products Association held its 51^st annual convention in San Diego March 28-30. Nearly 300 attendees from 21 countries were present at the show, which focuses on issues affecting the North American imported wood products industry. Next year’s convention will be held March 5-7, 2008, in Orlando. For more information, visit www.iwpawood.org. Floor & Décor (Kennesaw, Ga.) has formed an alliance with designer and star of TLC’s "Trading Spaces" and "Town Haul," Genevieve Gorder. Gorder will design a hard surface flooring line for the company. Cikel America (Greensboro, N.C.) has appointed Mike Johnsen wood flooring division president. Johnsen has more than 25 years of experience in the wood flooring industry.

Mark Weglowski is now vice president of sales and marketing at Powernail Company (Lake Zurich, Ill.). Weglowski was previously with BonaKemi USA.

Graf Brothers Flooring and Lumber (South Shore, Ky.) has added Crystal Graf to its sales force. She will be working with Erin Graf at Graf Brothers’ satellite facility in St. Paul, Ky. Both can be contacted at 606/932-2366, or e-mail Erin Graf at erin@grafbro.com or Crystal Graf at crystal@grafbro.com. The NWFA will hold an Intermediate Installation, Sand and Finish School May 9-11 in Greenville, S.C. For more information, e-mail installationschools@nwfa.org or visit www.nwfa.org. Synthetic Surfaces Inc. (Scotch Plains, N.J.) has updated its Web site at www.nordot.com.

Penn Wood Products Co. (East Berlin, Penn.) has launched its redesigned Web site at www.pennwoodproducts.com.

Front Range Hardwood (Berthoud, Colo.) has launched its new Web site at frontrangehardwood.com.

Shaw Industries Inc. (Dalton, Ga.) has added a room visualization tool to its Web site at www.shawfloors.com. Patsy Davenport passed away April 8 in her home. Davenport worked for NOFMA: The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association for more than 50 years. "[Miss Patsy] was a wood flooring historian. She was the glue that held the association together during the hard times of the recession during the 1970s and early ’80s," said Mickey Moore, technical director of NOFMA. Davenport is survived by her granddaughter, Tammy Haire, and grandson, Scott Clifton. Houtwerf B.V. (Holland) is looking for a sales manager for its engineered and solid hardwood flooring business in the United States. The candidate should have at least 10 years’ experience in the hardwood flooring industry and a proven track record in the management of key accounts/distributors and agents, as well as a solid technical background. Résumés with salary expectations should be e-mailed to e.hessels@houtwerf.nl.

L.R. McCoy Co. (Worcester, Mass.) is looking for high-energy territory sales representatives. The qualified candidates should have experience in domestic, import or specialty hardwood products and calling on distributors and large retailers. Available markets include the Southeast, Southwest and West Coast. Résumés and salary histories should be sent to henryb@lrmccoy.com.

Nikzad Flooring (Los Angeles) is seeking a motivated and experienced hardwood flooring sales representative for its growing company. Qualified applicants must be ready to specify and close big deals. Résumés should be e-mailed to christina@nikzadflooring.com or faxed to 310/657-6556. The NWFA’s newest Distributor Profit Improvement Report, "Avoiding Investment Myopia," is now available. Written by Dr. Al Bates, the report examines how proponents of the cash-flow perspective argue that both inventory and accounts receivable are cash traps that must be drained, but that reducing these investment factors has the potential to lower sales volume. The report examines the implications of lowering both investment in inventory and accounts receivable. To get the full report, visit www.nwfa.org, click on "Services and Supplies," then "Statistical Reports," and select "Profit Improvement Reports." For more information, contact the NWFA by phone at 800/422-4556 (U.S.), 800/848-8824 (Canada) or 636/519-9663 (local and international) or by e-mail at info@nwfa.org.