The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) will host its inaugural Leadership Development Summit, Oct. 10-12 at Live! by Loews – Ballpark Village in St. Louis. The event is designed to provide NWFA members with opportunities for professional growth, networking and business development. Attendees will learn how to “navigate industry challenges, capitalize on emerging opportunities and drive growth,” according to the association.
A central feature of the summit is the Real Answers Small Business Workshop emceed by Chris Zizza, owner of C&R Flooring. The workshop will include business sessions on finance, marketing, operations and social media. Zizza will also participate in a panel discussion with successful contractors—including Steve Brattin of SVB Floors, Kevin Mullany of Benchmark Wood Floors and Sprigg Lynn of Universal Floors—who will share their insights and best practices. The panel will be led by Doug Howard of Growth Team Strategies.
“The Leadership Development Summit provides our members with both the knowledge and connections necessary to thrive in the hardwood flooring industry,” said Michael Martin, president/CEO of NWFA. “No matter where you are in your career, mastering fundamentals like accurate estimates, sufficient margins and efficient scheduling is crucial. Attending this event is an incredible investment, allowing attendees to learn and network in a single venue, gaining a wealth of insights quickly.”
The schedule will include:
- Opening Reception – Oct. 10, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Real Answers Small Business Workshop – Oct. 11, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Manufacturers Assembly – Oct. 11, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This industry forum geared toward solid and engineered wood flooring manufacturers will feature timely presentations on challenges and opportunities in the wood flooring industry, with a special focus on leadership.
- Open House at NWFA’s New Headquarters – Oct. 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. See the NWFA’s new headquarters, engage with industry leaders and connect with providers.
- Exclusive Golf Tournament – Oct. 12, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Network with peers and industry leaders in a relaxed setting, benefiting the NWFA’s Education & Research Foundation.
For more information and to register, visit https://nwfa.org/nwfa-leadership-development-summit.
