There is no question Surfaces is the industry’s largest all-encompassing trade show in North America. And in 2014, it promises to be even bigger and better with the addition of a new trade show, TileExpo running in conjunction with it, along with a host of new events and activities taking place during the four-day event, which begins Jan. 27 when the educational part of the market gets under way

This issue marks my 20^th anniversary reporting on and covering this amazing industry. And while I’m not expecting to get flooded with gold watches, I did want to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful people I’ve met since December 1993.

When it comes to the green movement, there are basically two sides to the coin: Environmental and health.

When it comes to iconic places, especially with regard to sporting events, there are few larger and more well-known than Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Founded in 1980 by several prominent industry figures, led by the late industry icon and Hall of Famer, Walter Guinan, FCIF is dedicated to financially assisting any person involved in the floor covering industry—from installer up to mill CEO and everyone in between—who experience catastrophic illness, severe disabilities or other life-altering hardships.

The answer to the question posed will yield different answers depending on whom you ask it, when you ask it and, to some degree where you ask it.

Twenty years ago, a group of 12 individuals—11 installers and one retailer—who were concerned with the way the installation profession was being viewed and treated decided it was time to band together and change the image of flooring installers.