NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flooring America/Flooring Canada, a division of CCA Global Partners the nation’s largest floor covering cooperative, today kicked-off conneXtion™, its bi-annual meeting that connects its more than 500 independent floor covering retailers at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. The national meeting convenes entrepreneurs from across North America to participate in thought-provoking discussions and to share ideas to grow their businesses.
Members will have the opportunity to experience a special performance by America’s Got Talent finalist, ILuminate, a theatrical dance group who perform in the dark to create an exhilarating mash-up of illuminated characters and choreography. In addition, Mark Fernandes, Chief Leadership Officer of the Luck Companies, will share his insight on the Value Based Leadership ideology and model with members.
2015 promises to be an exciting year for Flooring America and Flooring Canada members with the launch of new initiatives in all areas of the business from merchandising to marketing. Senior executives will map out the strategies to be executed throughout the coming year that will continue to elevate the company’s brand recognition as the most recommended flooring retailers in North America.
According to Keith Spano, President of Flooring America and Flooring Canada, “The team is energized and ready to take more market share in 2015. We’ve built the road map and we look forward to working with our members to continue to lead the industry with our innovative approach to home fashion.”
On the marketing front, Flooring America and Flooring Canada marketing executives will present new features to its F.A.S.T. (Flooring America Social Tools) automated social media program that will provide members with advanced functionality including a more powerful and robust operating tool, enhanced reporting and tracking and improved flexibility and control over publishing content.
“The Most Recommended Flooring Store in Town” creative campaign will be unveiled. This new campaign emphasizes the reaction of customers when they buy from Flooring America/Flooring Canada retailers.
At conneXtion, the marketing team will reveal enhancements to its My Floor Story review app. By leveraging Bazaarvoice’s industry-leading review platform, Flooring America and Flooring Canada members can now easily manage brand sentiment in real-time and increase online reviews.
Frank Chiera, Vice President of Marketing and Advertising, explains, “As a company, we have a goal to achieve 20,000 reviews by the end of 2015. Our partnership with Bazaarvoice gives our members access to the industry-leading platform for reviews and SEO and allows us to take advantage of a more robust system to continue to elevate Flooring America’s and Flooring Canada’s brand recognition. “
He continues, “We continually strive to ensure our members have the most innovative programs-- from technology and websites to traditional creative and promotions--that they need to successfully market their business.”
Being unveiled at this year’s conneXtion is Flooring America’s and Flooring Canada’s first-ever SocialCon event, a 2-day conference that will focus on how to help members and sales professionals navigate the rapid changes in digital marketing and social media. More importantly, SocialCon will provide attendees with insight and actionable tactics that will help retailers drive more business through local digital marketing initiatives.
Chiera comments, “There is no question that SocialCon will soon be regarded as an important event for Flooring America and Flooring Canada members because we will draw thought leaders, sales and marketing experts, and digital marketing gurus to offer real solutions on how to differentiate your stores from all the competition that exists in your market, from big box retailers to other independent retailers to ecommerce.”
Merchandising remains a priority for the upcoming year with the launch of several new products including a comprehensive new Stainmaster program, a new Innovia carpet update with Forever Clean carpet styles and the exciting new Tigressa H2O launch, featuring an exclusive carpet backing that is impervious to liquids. On the hard surface side, several Downs luxury vinyl programs will be launched including Downs H2O waterproof Enhanced Vinyl Plank.
Spano concludes, “Our membership is 100% on offense in 2015 and the launch of our suite of new programs that merge technology with fashion will ensure our member’s success, differentiate our members from the competition and take the “Boring out of Flooring.”
For more information on Flooring America/Flooring Canada, visit www.flooringamerica.com or http://www.flooringcanada.ca. Become a fan on Facebook and follow us @FlooringAmerica or @FlooringCanada.
About Flooring America and Flooring Canada
Flooring America and Flooring Canada are divisions of CCA Global Partners the nation’s largest floor covering cooperative. With more than 500 independent, locally owned flooring retailers, Flooring America’s member stores work hard every day to become the most recommended flooring stores in North America. Flooring America’s independent retailers strive to make customers deliriously happy by guiding, advising and finding the right floor to make homes beautiful. We are the flooring store where friends send friends for their new floors.