Hanley Wood Exhibitions, the organizers of the Surfaces trade show, said they will donate a total of $500,000 to the Floor Covering Industry Foundation over the next 25 years. The foundation is a non-profit group with an eye toward helping people in the industry who are enduring extreme financial hardship due to unforeseen health issues.

"We believe very strongly in the work of the FCIF and think this is an appropriate way for our organization to contribute and give back to the floor covering industry," said Galen Poss, president of Hanley Wood and a member of the FCIF Board of Directors. Poss noted that the exhibition company will donate $20,000 annually to the FCIF through 2033.

D. Christopher Davis, president and CEO of the World Floor Covering Association, said he was touched by Hanley Wood's generosity, and hoped other members of the industry would be inspired by the example. "Hanley Wood's generosity can be a perfect model for others in the floor covering industry to emulate," he said.

According to Davis, who is also president of the FCIF, Hanley Wood's donations will mark the largest (and longest) commitment to the foundation in its 28 year history. The agreement also gives the FCIF access to complimentary booth space at Surfaces as well as public service advertising space in the Surfaces show directories. Hanley Wood purchased the Surfaces trade show from the WFCA eight years ago.

"Hanley Wood has demonstrated their commitment and participation to the floor covering industry in a very meaningful and impactful manner and reinforced their image as an excellence corporate citizen," Davis added.