Welcome to the May Virtual Meeting and Opening Keynote Address from Scott Humphrey, CEO, World Floor Covering Association, with introduction by Mike Roberts, FCICA Honorary Vice Chair

How LATICRETE® SUPERCAP® Can Expand Your Business presented by Joseph Rizzo, Associate Director of Sales Concrete Remediation, and Aaron Abbott, Senior Technical Product Manager, LATICRETE International, Inc. 

Flooring contractors will often forego the surface preparation portion of large projects, because of the equipment and expertise required for SLU’s, or simply because it is not profitable to use highly trained flooring experts to stage, break and mix bags. LATICRETE® SUPERCAP® has changed that perspective with our patented pump truck system for applying high performance, cement based, self-leveling underlayments very quickly and profitably. Our network of applicators provides pre-mixed wet material at the end of the hose exactly where needed. This presentation describes the array of LATICRETE surface preparation products with a focus on the technical and business aspects of utilizing the SUPERCAP system to expand your business.

Joseph Rizzo is the Associate Director of Concrete Remediation at LATICRETE® where he leads the efforts of a national team in the sales of surface preparation products and the SUPERCAP® network of patented, high-volume pump trucks for self-leveling underlayment and overlays. Joe graduated from NYU Polytechnic University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. His perspective on flooring has been honed by the contractors and architects with which he has had the privilege to work with for over 25 years.

Aaron Abbott, Senior Technical Product Manager, a building materials industry veteran, is responsible for product and application technology, education, outreach, and helping customers plan for and execute perfect flooring projects.  Since 2005, Aaron has specialized in substrate preparation and flooring systems, and has worked with architects, specifiers, contractors, and building owners across the country and internationally.  Aaron holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Bentley University.

LATICRETE is a leading manufacturer of globally proven construction solutions for the building industry. LATICRETE offers a broad range of products and systems covering tile & stone installation and care, masonry installation and care, resinous and decorative floor finishes, concrete construction chemicals, and concrete restoration and care including the LATICRETE^® SUPERCAP^® System. For over 60 years, LATICRETE has been committed to research and development of innovative installation products, building a reputation for superior quality, performance and customer service. LATICRETE methods, materials, and technology have been field and laboratory proven by Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Owners. Offering an array of low VOC and sustainable products, LATICRETE products contribute to LEED certification, exceed commercial/residential VOC building requirements, and are backed by the most comprehensive warranties in the industry.

Educational Session: Division 3 and Division 9 - Bridging the Gap presented by Seth Pevarnik, Director of Technical Services, ARDEX Americas and Jeff Johnson, FCIS Business Marketing Manager, MAPEI Corporation

Attendees will learn about CSI, Construction Specifications Institute, and how Division 3 and Division 9 work together, or not, in terms of floor covering installation.  The various requirements and measurements used by both Division 3 and Division 9 will be compared and contrasted, showing some of the disconnects between what it expected from each in terms of flatness and readiness for floor covering installation.  This presentation will be a useful tool when it comes to understanding these requirements and how to work with a GC in terms of rectifying those disconnects between the two groups.

Seth Pevarnik, Director of Technical Services, ARDEX America - Seth Pevarnik has worked for ARDEX Americas in the Technical Service Department since 1991 and is currently their Director of Technical Service. He has led the ARDEXacademy training program for Substrate Preparation, Moisture Control, Self-Leveling Underlayments and Patching Compounds, Tile & Stone Installation Systems, Engineered Concrete Repair systems and Designer Floor/Polished Systems where he has presented on moisture in concrete, substrate preparation, flooring adhesives and tile & stone. Seth is active in several industry associations and standards organizations and currently serves as the IICRC Vice Chair for the ISSI Certification. Currently, Seth sits on the Board of Directors for FCICA and serves on the Education Committee.

Jeff Johnson, FCIS Business Marketing Manager for MAPEI’s Floor Covering Installation Systems product assortment, has more than 30 years of experience in floor-covering installation product development and marketing. With practical experience in construction and as an adhesive bench chemist, Jeff has a unique perspective on the materials used in the flooring installation industry. As a bench chemist, he formulated water based and reactive type adhesives. Later, he held roles in product development and strategic marketing. In his position, he drives sales growth, product innovation and education for floor covering installation products involved with the carpet, resilient and wood flooring installation market segments.

Commercial Resilient Flooring Solution: Transformation Beyond Ordinary presented by Dave Darche, National Market Manager A&D/Adhesives, Bona US

Commercial Resilient Flooring Solution: Transformation Beyond Ordinary is a continuing education course designed to provide an understanding of new systems to revitalize resilient floors. The course begins with a brief overview of the challenges of resilient flooring, each type of resilient flooring, each step of applying the products, and the positive impact on health and humanity.

Dave Darche is the National Market Manager - Adhesives/A&D for Bona US and has been in the wood flooring industry for over 35 years. Dave has a breadth of expertise in the industry, teaching a variety of courses, including CEU designed courses for Architects and Design Professionals focusing on understanding of the lifecycle of hardwoods. He is a National Wood Flooring Association Certified Wood Floor Inspector and serves on the National Wood Flooring Association Architect & Design Committee. 

Bona is an innovative, environmentally conscious company dedicated to creating beautiful floors since 1919. Bona US, the North American subsidiary of BonaAB in Malmö, Sweden, manufactures and distributes floor and home care products. The first in the industry to offer a full system of waterborne hardwood floor finishing and floor care products certified for indoor air quality by GREENGUARD, these Bona products can be found throughout the U.S. and Canada. From residue-free hardwood floor cleaners to a beautiful array of stains and high durability finishes, consumers, distributors, contractors and cleaning professionals trust Bona.

Educational Session: Flooring by the Numbers: Using LinkedIn to Sell More Floors, presented by Mick Holly, CEO, Flooring by the Numbers

In this session, Mick Holly will share tips on how best to use LinkedIn to optimize your marketing reach and position yourself as a flooring expert - to get you noticed and generate more leads. With just a few tweaks to your platform presence - you'll go from regular to flooring rock star.

Mick Holly helps flooring companies turn the cash-hungry businesses they have into the thriving companies they want. He has helped build a $100 million global management consulting company that guides Fortune 500 companies on how to optimize profits. Mick distills business improvement methods and tailors them specifically for commercial flooring companies in his ‘Flooring by the Numbers’ approach.

Educational Session: How to Partner with your Manufacturer, presented by Don Styka, CIM, Director of Field Services, Tarkett

This presentation will highlight various resources you have available to you when partnering with your flooring manufacturer including pre-project consulting, communication, installation training and support, and maintenance program development and training.

Don Styka has worked in the flooring industry for over 40 years and currently is the Director of Field Services for Tarkett, a position he has held for 21 years.  He started his career as an installer, then later 15 years in floor covering distribution. Throughout his career, Don has been active in organizations that strive to provide education, training, and advancement opportunities to installation professionals. He is active in several industry associations: FCICA Education Committee Chairman, member of the CIM and the Strategic Planning Committees; Chairman on the ASTM F06 Resilient Floor Coverings Committee and Subcommittee Chairman of F06.10 on Terminology; Board of Director and Education Committee Chairman for the National Floor Covering Association of Canada (NFCA); member of the Advisory Council for the International Floor Covering Installers Association (CFI); and works closely with the International Standards & Training Alliance (INSTALL) supporting their curriculum reviews, training and educational platforms, and certification program.

The Next Generation of Measure by RFMS presented by Justin Swinney, Apps Product Coordinator, RFMS

Catch a sneak peek of what RFMS has in store for the next Measure update. A fresh coat of paint along with an updated user interface bring its look into the 21st century. A host of new features, enhancements to existing features, and under-the-hood tuning make this the biggest update in Measure’s history.

Justin Swinney is RFMS’s Apps Product Coordinator. He started with RFMS in 2006 supporting and training Measure clients. Now he mainly works behind the scenes on development of new features as well as managing the Measure Desktop and Measure Mobile beta testing programs.

RFMS is the leading business management software provider in the flooring industry, but it doesn’t stop there. We also provide software for a variety of industries whose companies need unique solutions for combined product and service control. RFMS has automated over 3,000 dealers operating in 7,000+ locations since our first client began using our software in 1984, and they’re still an active user today.

Floor Removal 2.0 - The Next Generation In Floor Removal Technology presented by Corey Dickerson, CIM, Technical Sales, Uzin Utz/Wolff

Wolff Tools has been a industry leader in floor removal technology for over 70 years. We have elevated the floor removal process with our all new Wolff Robo Stripper. The Wolff Robo Stripper is a wireless remote controlled stripping machine with a tight turn radius that will rival the productivity of any ride on floor stripper. Join us for this webinar to learn how WOLFF Tools can enhance your productivity and ultimately profitability in the floor removal process. 

Corey Dickerson is the Mid-West Region Technical Sales Representative for the Wolff brand of Uzin UTZ North America. Based out of St. Louis, Dickerson has been with the Wolff Team for two years and brings more than 20 years of experience in the flooring and home building industries. Most recently he was Branch Operation Manager for a wholesale distributors of flooring and installation products. His vast knowledge and range of tools and tool applications makes him one of the leaders in our industry pertaining to tools for our industry.

Wolff Tools has been an industry leader in floor removal technology for over 70 years.  We have elevated the floor removal process with our all new Wolff Robo Stripper!  The Wolff Robo Stripper is a wireless remote controlled stripping machine with a tight turn radius that will rival the productivity of any ride on floor stripper.  Join us for this webinar to learn how WOLFF Tools can enhance your productivity and ultimately profitability in the floor removal process.

Educational Session: Recruiting and Retaining Installers presented by Mike Keller, CIM, Commercial Operations Training Manager, Jack Laurie Group and Matt Hanson, Managing Partner, Bonitz

Finding reliable and qualified personnel is a challenge for every business, particularly in the trades. In this panel presentation, two industry professionals share their strategies to recruit and retain installers.

Mike Keller is the Operations Training Manager for the Jack Laurie Group, a position he has held for 7 years, where he develops Jack Laurie Group in-house training programs, including training on safety, leadership and the Floor Cover Apprenticeship Program, a Department of Labor (DOL) approved program. In his work, he continues to expand the company’s apprenticeship program offerings, soon to be submitted to the DOL for approval.

Matt Hanson is the Managing Partner for the Bonitz Charlotte location. During his 14 years with Bonitz, Matt has excelled in his role as project consultant and is consistently a top sales performer. As part of his position, Matt also dedicates time to developing new associates and understanding the project management side of the business.

 Closing Keynote Address from Tim Baucom, President and CEO of Shaw Industries, with introduction by Pat Kelly, FCICA Board Chair

Rapid System Solutions for Flooring and Tiling presented by Mark Pennine, Technical Manager Tile & Stone Installation Systems and Pat Cunningham, Technical Services Supervisor, ARDEX Americas

Attend this ARDEX Americas presentation to learn about some of the fastest installation systems in the flooring and tiling industry. Prime the substrate, install a self-leveling underlayment, install resilient flooring and open to traffic - all in a matter of hours. Presenters will introduce attendees to ARDEX's complete line of shower pans, drains, lightweight backer boards, niches and curbs and accessories as well as ARDEX's fast setting waterproof membranes, mortars and grouts.

Mark Pennine has been in the tile and stone industry for over 35 years.  As a 3rd generation tile installer, Mark owned his own tile contracting business for 20 years. Mark has worked for ARDEX Americas for 10 years, most recently as the Technical Manager of Tile and Stone Installation Systems. He has presented tile and stone installation products and procedures to contractors, architects, manufacturers, and distributors. Mark is active on many industry committees including the ANSI ASC A108 standards committee, NTCA Technical committee, MMSA, and IICRC substrate committee.

Pat Cunningham has spent his career in the floorcovering industry working in diverse roles including installation, sales, estimating, education and product development. He is an industry specialist in substrate preparations, adhesives, moisture control, structural repair mortars, tile and stone products, self-leveling and patching products. In addition, Pat is also a specialist of decorative and polished overlays. With his varied practical experience, diagnostic evaluation knowledge and presentation skills, Pat is equipped to answer a broad range of flooring industry questions.

Recognized by installation experts, ARDEX Americas is the leading solution and service provider of innovative building systems. We develop, manufacture and distribute high-performance specialty building products for all aspects of substrate preparation, floor covering, tile and stone installation systems and architectural concrete systems for commercial and residential applications. A family owned company, ARDEX leads through local customer interaction striving for excellence in all that we do. We ensure the job gets done right the first time, to specification and on schedule, minimizing risk and costly callbacks. As a complement to our products, we offer complete flooring installation solutions backed by the most comprehensive full replacement warranty in the industry, SystemOne^TM.

You’ve Got Moisture Issues: Now What? presented by Heather Ruhl, Training Program Manager, HB Fuller

Concrete moisture levels are one of the biggest challenges facing the resilient industry. Learn the various options for handling high moisture levels in concrete slabs, in addition to a brief review of moisture test methods. A case study done at Chicago’s Midtown Athletic Club will further delve into the challenges facing soft-flooring contractors when it comes to installation and moisture.

Heather Ruhl currently works as the Training Program Manager for H.B. Fuller Construction Products. In her current role, she organizes and runs trainings in addition to providing technical support. Heather specializes in ceramic and porcelain tile installation techniques, surface preparation and adhesives. Before taking the Training Program Manager position, Heather spent three years as a technical rep with TEC offering technical support, on-site training, and troubleshooting. Heather got her start in the Automotive Industry before joining H.B. Fuller.

H.B. Fuller Construction Products provides professional installers with innovative floor preparation and installation products for tile, stone, wood, carpet and resilient flooring. Through our TEC, CHAPCO and Parabond brands, we provide a full line of high-quality systems to solve problems and streamline the installation process for maximum efficiency on the jobsite. Products are available through a wide network of distributors and retail locations in the U.S. and Canada.

Discover New Market Opportunities presented by Jerry Lee, National Sales Manager, Protect-All Flooring

Why Protect-All is Durability Done Different: Get to know the Protect-All team and become more familiar with Protect-All flooring and how it can be a perfect flooring option for a variety of applications.

Jerry Lee has worked in the flooring industry for over 20 years having worked in several positions including national sales, training, product development and leadership. He currently is the national sales managers for Protect-All Flooring.

Protect-All® Flooring is a commercial flooring solution that includes fully adhered vinyl sheets, loose-lay floor covers and interlocking tiles. Certified by the National Floor Safety Institute, Protect-All has a slip-resistant construction that can handle demanding environments. Founded in 1993, Oscoda Plastics®, Inc. is a Michigan-based manufacturer that produces Protect-All®  flooring that is manufactured from over 90 percent recycled content. Protect-All® utilizes a process that fuses together remnant industrial-strength vinyl into one monolithic piece. Most importantly, this process keeps millions of pounds of vinyl waste out of landfills annually. Protect-All specifically includes vinyl from the commercial roofing industry, but the story doesn't end there. Oscoda Plastics®, Inc. offers a Take Back Program. The program accepts clean, post-installation remnants and overages and recycles them for use in other products. The recycled vinyl used in these products provides long-lasting durability for a variety of applications, while keeping millions of pounds of vinyl waste out of landfills annually.

Educational Session: Social Media Best Practices presented by Shannon Vogel, Founder and Owner, Reach Social

In this session, Reach Socials’ Shannon Vogel will cover hints, tips and advice for each of the most popular social media platforms. Topics to be discussed include content suggestions such as what to post and how often, responding to conversations, who should manage your social media as well as social media time management. This session will also cover reputation management and how to handle compliments and complaints. After attending this session, you will have a better understanding of how to navigate the future of the Commercial Flooring Industry via social media.

Shannon Vogel is the proud founder and co-owner of Reach Social, a certified Social Media Strategist, and 25-year veteran of the flooring and interior design industry.  After more than 10 years in flooring sales and interior design, Shannon changed her focus to the marketing opportunities unfolding online.  In 2008, Shannon conceptualized and launched one of the flooring industry’s first and most successful blogs, essentially introducing flooring dealers to the power of social marketing.  Since then, she has made a career of Professional Social Media, effectively strengthening the brand awareness of flooring dealers across North America. 

Resilient Floor Installation Products & Systems from MAPEI presented by Jeffrey B Johnson, FCIS Business Marketing Manager, MAPEI Corporation

During the course of this presentation, the attendee will learn about proper subfloor evaluation, remediation and repair as well as how to select from MAPEI’s vast selection of installation materials designed for resilient flooring. Products and applications for resilient floors ranging from residential to commercial will be discussed. Products and systems for acoustic control will also be discussed.  If you have ever wondered which adhesive or system is right for your particular resilient floor installation this is the presentation to watch.

Jeff Johnson, FCIS Business Marketing Manager for MAPEI’s Floor Covering Installation Systems product assortment, has more than 30 years of experience in floor-covering installation product development and marketing. With practical experience in construction and as an adhesive bench chemist, Jeff has a unique perspective on the materials used in the flooring installation industry. As a bench chemist, he formulated water based and reactive type adhesives. Later, he held roles in product development and strategic marketing. In his position, he drives sales growth, product innovation and education for floor covering installation products involved with the carpet, resilient and wood flooring installation market segments.

MAPEI has supplied residential and major commercial projects with total installation solutions for tile and stone, floor-covering (including wood, carpet, and vinyl adhesives, self-levelers, and moisture barriers), decorative concrete, as well as concrete restoration and admixtures for more than 80 years. With over 83 associated manufacturing plants in 36 countries and more than 10,500 employees worldwide, MAPEI is a world-leading manufacturer of adhesives, sealants, and chemical products for the building industry. It meets the needs of its customers with the most comprehensive offering of products for commercial, residential, industrial, and infrastructure projects. MAPEI is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. A registered provider to the AIA/CES program, MAPEI also offers training through the MAPEI Technical Institute. MAPEI is certified to the stringent standards of ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management.

Educational Session: Installation Best Practices, Panel Discussion presented by Amy Johnston, CIM, Flooring Services, Inc. and Jesse Tranel, Vice President, CIM, DCO Commercial Flooring

In this panel discussion, the two panelists will discuss best practices on installer qualifications and the pre-installation setup CIMs/PMs take during the pre-installation process to ensure the installer is armed with everything he/she may need to complete a successful installation. *Sponsored by Synergy Flooring.

Amy Johnston has been in commercial flooring since 1991, having begun her career in the warehouse as an operations assistant and inventory manager. She was promoted to software support analyst and software trainer for a nationally-used accounting system specializing in the purchasing, inventory control, maintenance contracts and work order modules. From there, her work expanded into purchasing, project coordination, project estimator and currently, is the Project Manager for Flooring Services, Inc.  Amy is on the board of American Society of Professional Estimators Detroit Chapter 17 as the recording secretary and serves on the Education, Membership and CIM committees for FCICA.  She has several industry certifications in addition to being a CIM.

Jesse Tranel, Vice President, DCO Commercial Flooring, has a 25+ year career in the floorcovering industry as an installer, installation manager and operations leader. Having started in his family’s business, he has held about every job possible within the flooring company. Jess is a proud CFI certified installer, OSHA 30 and FCICA CIM.

Sim Crisler is the Managing Member of Specialty Flooring Solutions, LLC. The company specializes in: the practice of conflict resolution, problem solving and forensic investigation of issues relating to soft and resilient floors; technical consultation on all issues involving soft and resilient flooring from both a product and installation standpoint; evaluation of installation procedures and ancillary products used as well as investigation of installed product for both quality and suitability for the particular end use and purpose; remediation of problems, replacement and repair service where applicable; and in plant assistance with manufacturing issues relating to specific product quality concerns make Sim the expert on "how it's done".

Bid in the Silent Auction - Learn more About the Donated Products from ARDEX Americas, Federated Insurance, GCP Applied Technologies, MAPEI Corporation, Protect-All Flooring, Wagner Meters.