Women in the Floorcovering Industry (WIFI) hosted an education session at the CFI FCICA 2023 Convention in Orlando, Florida, on September 21, 2023, where 30 flooring professionals met up for speed networking. WIFI is an educational non-profit that attracts, educates, and empowers women in the flooring industry. 

Crystal Sims, field coordinator for Preferred Flooring in Walker, Michigan, and Jen Zern, project manager for International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI), both WIFI committee members, welcomed participants before they split into groups for discussion groups on a variety of topics relevant to women working in the flooring industry.

Typhannie Harker, CEO of Carpeting By Mike Inc in Hudson, Wisconsin, moderated a discussion on work-life balance. Leslie Del Pozo, VP marketing communications for QEP Co., covered women in leadership roles. Zern discussed building your tribe. Sharyn Bernard, business and special projects editor, FCW, lead a talk about maximizing social media and trade media for your business. Beth Miller, managing editor of Floor Trends & Installation, lead the discussion on mental health and self-care, and Sims moderated a talk about mindset, goals and success.

"We had a great turnout and there were even people who joined us in the middle of it and sat right now and joined in the conversations," Sims said. "I really love the aha moments at the end because learning something from each table gave you more to take away than just the topic you discussed with your small group. I'm excited to be a part of this." 

To learn more about WIFI or to join, visit womeninflooring.org.