Following three days of highly-targeted, business-oriented educational sessions and displays from unique floor covering companies, the second annual DOMOTEX USA closed on Friday, Feb. 7. A total of 101 flooring and floor covering technology suppliers from more than 12 countries unveiled their latest products across 39,800 square feet of exhibition space. From top U.S.-based floor covering manufacturers to new international exhibitors and installation technology providers, the innovations that were on display at DOMOTEX USA will inspire the flooring industry in 2020 and well beyond.
“We broadened our partnerships with key floor covering and design industry associations to triple our educational offerings and to launch accredited continuing education sessions at this year’s event,” said Larry Turner, president and CEO of Hannover Fairs USA (HFUSA), the organizer of the event. “Though we faced some global challenges around this second iteration of our show, we are committed to DOMOTEX USA’s success. Over the next two months, HFUSA will conduct market research and will survey our target audiences to reshape and improve the show for 2021,” he added.
Keynotes at DOMOTEX USA
Alan Beaulieu, international economic analyst and president of the Institute for Trend Research, kicked off the show’s education program on Wednesday, Feb. 5 with an in-depth look at economic indicators. His keynote speech highlighted the residential industry forecast to outline what the flooring industry can expect in 2020 and beyond. He also advised the audience to think enthusiastically about future plans for prosperity in anticipation of the projected upswing in the economy.
Prior to the show opening on Thursday, Feb.6, brand leadership expert, Denise Lee Yohn, gave a rousing keynote free to all attendees about how floor covering experts can develop a brand experience that really connects with their customers. “I wanted the audience to understand how to run their businesses differently to attract more profitable and more loyal customers. My goal was to help each professional embrace a more targeted and focused approach to developing a great brand and customer experience,” said Yohn.
Immediately following Yohn’s presentation, Kemp Harr, publisher and owner of Floor Focus magazine, moderated the show’s popular state-of-the-industry panel on the DOMOTEX USA Plaza stage located at the center of the show floor. Distinguished industry experts Piet Dossche, president of USFloors, Neil Poland, president of Mullican Flooring, and Bruce Zwicker, floor covering distributor consultant, offered an optimistic outlook for floor covering product sales in 2020.
On the final day of the show, featured speaker James Dion, founder and president of Dionco Inc., shared his expertise on consumer trends, retail technology, selling and service, retail merchandising and operations, as well as best practices for sustainable retail and store management.
