The CFI Convention was a great success! Installers arrived from all over the country; ten from China, one from South Africa, and many e-mailed they would attend for the 10th anniversary in 2003. The convention began with the First Chapter Conference, coordinated by Pat Fell and Ken Frango, which set the wheels in motion to increase the awareness of CFI in the local community. The Leadership Conference under the direction of World Floor Covering Association's Director of Education, Harry Perdew, was also a huge success. D. Christopher Davis, CEO of the WFCA, shared the purpose of FCIF (Floor Covering Industry Foundation) and encouraged member participation, as well as explaining the goals of WFCA. Dave Gobis, Executive Director, represented the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, and Ed Korzcak, Executive Director, presented the Hardwood Floor Covering Association's programs. The seminars were outstanding, and were presented by the associates on Friday and others on Saturday, with topics ranging from "Area Rug Design" by David Edwards, Daris Mulkin and Tim Carder; "Carpet Backings" by Doug Amundson, Jon Namba and Robert Varden; "Concrete: The Substrate" by Ray Thompson; Flat Woven and Wilton Carpets" by Bill Blakeslee; "Guidelines for Growing Your Business" by Doug Romanoff and Jim Walker; "Installation Tricks" by Lew Migliore; "Installation Problems You Probably Cannot Solve" by Jim Walker, Andrew Aufiero, Ed Braile, Bob Gillespie and Ken Miles; "Laminate Floors" by Wayne Johnston and Sam Green; "Public Speaking" by Terry Dollinger; "Rubber Flooring" by Don Styka; "The CFI Stair Upholstery Method" by Fred Chastain and Jerry Miller and "Vinyl Installation Techniques" by Tim Provence, Tom Cudney and Scott Parks. The beautiful CFI Jacket was sponsored by: Ardex, Armstrong, Atlas, BP Backing Division, Beckler's Carpet, Beno J. Gundlach, Burtco, Capitol USA, Carder Industries, Carpet Dog, Carpet Shims, Chapco, Crain, Dow, Durkan, Festool, FIANA, Floor Covering Installer, Floor Pro Network, Halex, Home Depot, Johnsonite, Laser Square, Leggett and Platt, Mapei, Mohawk Industries, Myers Carpet, National Carpet Equipment, Orcon, Patcraft, Pergo, ProKnee, Roberts/QEP, Roppe, Seam Master Industries, Shaw Industries, SI Flooring Systems, Sinclair Equipment, United States Gypsum and The World Floor Covering Association. CFI has begun a new season of conducting training coursesa and CFI Certifications for DuPont and Mohawk nationwide, beginning with Futura Floors in Fruitport, Mich. This involves a full day of individualized training on Friday followed by Certification on Saturday. Mohawk Dealers may schedule through Barrett Hagood in Customer Relations. This program is also available to Retailers, Contractors and others interested in training and CFI Certification. The current schedule is available online. "Installation Sales and Inspection for the Salesperson," presented by Jim Walker in Kansas City, Mo. is scheduled for Oct. 28-29, 2002. This is a must for anyone who "sells" installation in order to understand not only the requirements of a professional installation, but the procedures to follow if a problem arises to determine if improper installation has occurred. The cost is $295.00 for CFI or WFCA Members and $395.00 for others. This intensive two-day course involves demonstrations and the latest information available concerning installation. CFI will be announcing many more exciting educational events, including the Midwest Installation Conference in Kansas City, Mo. on Oct. 12, presenting the latest installation techniques and information for carpet and vinyl, with Armstrong involvement this year. This event is designed not only for Installers, but also for Sales Representatives and Inspectors to keep informed of the newest entries in the marketplace. Information for all CFI Programs is available at www.CFIinstallers.com or by calling (816) 231-4646.