Organizers of the annual Surfaces trade show said 90 percent of the exhibit space at next year's meeting has already been claimed by 640 companies. The pace of sign-ups for the show, scheduled for Feb.1-3, 2006, at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, is 5 percent greater than last year that this time, according to Hanley Wood Exhibitions, which produces the show in conjunction with the World Floor Covering Association.

Hanley Wood noted that returning companies are also generally seeking larger exhibit areas, while a growing number of new companies - up 12 percent from last year - are signing up for the show.

Interest in the show is also being driven by efforts to build ancillary business beyond the floor, according to Hanley Wood. Surfaces 2006 will once again include a Window/Wall Coverings Pavilion aimed at encouraging floor covering retailers to explore profit centers beyond flooring. The Installation Showcase, featuring live how-to demonstrations on the show floor, will also return.