Calendar

Come learn how to do custom colors like black, grey and white with the Rubio Monocoat finish and stain system. Training 8am - 12pm, free lunch 11am - 1pm. Chicago, IL Branch February 8 Grand Rapids, MI Branch February 9 Ferndale, MI Branch February 10

Basics and hands-on training that focuses on levelers, toppings, moisture mitigation, waterproofing and concrete repair products. The cost to attend the training class is $300 for a two-day training (If hotel is not required the cost decreases to $150). In return, MAPEI pays for 2 nights hotel stay, 2 lunches and 1 dinner. Also provided is a $400 rebate coupon on select MAPEI products to be used towards next purchase.

Basics and hands-on training that focuses on levelers, toppings, moisture mitigation, waterproofing and concrete repair products. The cost to attend the training class is $300 for a two-day training (If hotel is not required the cost decreases to $150). In return, MAPEI pays for 2 nights hotel stay, 2 lunches and 1 dinner. Also provided is a $400 rebate coupon on select MAPEI products to be used towards next purchase.

The three-day Advanced Installation School is designed to provide extensive hands-on training utilizing a variety of specialized tools, techniques and technologies. Prerequisites includes three years' experience and previous attendance at an NWFA school. Topics include borders, medallions and inlays, parquet, mixed media, metal inlays, slide jigs, custom job estimating, specialty tools, and sanding and finishing techniques. Students earn four NWFA Degree credits. $525 (member)/$625 (non-member)

Basic Coatings (Toledo, OH) announces there 2012 Basic Coatings Pro School. The school will be held February 27th-March 1st, 2012. This opportunity will be a opportunity to learn all the facets of sanding, finishing and installing wood floors. Deadline to register is January 20th, 2012. Please call Kellie Zdybek at 1-800-247-5471 ext 3798 for more information or e-mail kzdybek@basiccoatings.com.

This trade show is open to designers, architects, builders, and everyone in the floor covering industry. There will be approximately 90 vendors exhibiting new floor and other interior finish products as well as demonstrations throughout the day. Time: 9am - 5pm. Cost: Free admission and parking.

More than 250 owners, managers and decision-makers from MFMA member firms are expected to attend. Visit the Rancho Las Palmas website at www.rancholaspalmas.com to see all the amenities to enjoy. The hotel features Splashtopia, an onsite water park, fabulous restaurants and world class golf—all without leaving the hotel property.

The four-day Wood Flooring Basics School is designed to provide a comprehensive entry-level overview of installation, sand and finish. This will include engineered, solid, parquet, prefinished and unfinished flooring. Other topics include water and wood, wood properties and job-site preparation. Demonstrations include safety, center layout, racking, nail guns and sanding and finish equipment. Students earn three NWFA Degree credits. $525 (member)/$625 (non-member)

The three-day Installation, Sand and Finish School is set up in a modular format, presenting different topics and hands-on training opportunities each day. On Wednesday, installation skills will be presented, including job site evaluation and preparation; installation techniques; safety; custom design procedures; and medallion installation. On Thursday, sanding and finishing will be presented, including hands-on training for custom floors. On Friday, finishing techniques will be presented, including repair and recoat of existing floors, board replacement, and hand-scraping. Attendees can participate in all three sessions or only those that best serve their needs. Students earn three NWFA Degree credits for the full session. $475 (members)/$575 (non-members)

This convention will attract 250 business executives from 25 countries, representing overseas producers, U.S. importers, distributors, manufacturers of hardwoods and softwoods, along with service providers. Event will also include a Lacey Act workshop and keynote from Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO of Gibson Guitar.

The NWFA Wood Flooring Expo is the only convention and trade show in the world dedicated solely to wood flooring. This year’s show centers around renewal: Renew your business. Renew your energy. Renew your prospects. Come see how the NWFA has renewed its commitment to grow the industry and help grow your business. Enjoy the renewed experience, featuring quality educational seminars and networking, and the exciting relaunch of the trade show, which will include incentives for attending and participating!

Many members feel the top benefits of their NWFA membership are the contacts they make in the industry. The NWFA Wood Flooring Expo provides the ultimate opportunity to exchange ideas with the industry’s best. Take advantage of these awesome opportunities, including a Welcome Party, the Awards Luncheon, and the Closing Happy Hour Party right on the trade show floor!

For information on exhibiting at this year's show, contact Hardwood Floors' Kendra Bjorklund at (800) 722-8764, ext. 107.

The three-day Advanced Installation School is designed to provide extensive hands-on training utilizing a variety of specialized tools, techniques and technologies. Prerequisites includes three years' experience and previous attendance at an NWFA school. Topics include borders, medallions and inlays, parquet, mixed media, metal inlays, slide jigs, custom job estimating, specialty tools, and sanding and finishing techniques. Students earn four NWFA Degree credits. $525 (member)/$625 (non-member)

Basics and hands-on training that focuses on levelers, toppings, moisture mitigation, waterproofing and concrete repair products. The cost to attend the training class is $300 for a two-day training (If hotel is not required the cost decreases to $150). In return, MAPEI pays for 2 nights hotel stay, 2 lunches and 1 dinner. Also provided is a $400 rebate coupon on select MAPEI products to be used towards next purchase.

Basic and hands-on training that covers products for surface preparation, moisture mitigation, vinyl, rubber, carpet and wood flooring, waterproofing, crack isolation, tile and stone installation and grouting products. The cost to attend the training class is $300 for a two-day training (If hotel is not required the cost decreases to $150). In return, MAPEI pays for 2 nights hotel stay, 2 lunches and 1 dinner. Also provided is a $400 rebate coupon on select MAPEI products to be used towards next purchase.

The three-day Subfloor Preparation/Solid and Prefinished Installation School provides hands-on training for subfloor preparation on both concrete and wood, plus solid installation and prefinished installation over concrete and wood. Topics include self-levelers for concrete; moisture control systems for concrete and wood subfloors; moisture testing of concrete and wood subfloors; solid plank over concrete; prefinished installation over concrete and wood; adhesives; nail down options; and correcting wood subfloors. Students earn three NWFA Degree credits. $475 (member)/$575 (non-member)

This three-day Jigs and Medallions Workshop provides hands-on training for students to produce a sliding table saw jig and circle jig that they can use to reproduce several medallions. Students will also learn how to install medallions. Prerequisites include three years' industry experience and previous attendance at an NWFA school. Students will take home with them one circle jig, one sliding table saw jig, two complete medallions and master pieces for two medallions. Students will leave with the ability to draw and reproduce most straight-line medallions. Students earn three NWFA Degree credits. $750 (member)/$850 (non-member)

Basic and hands-on training that covers products for surface preparation, moisture mitigation, vinyl, rubber, carpet and wood flooring, waterproofing, crack isolation, tile and stone installation and grouting products. The cost to attend the training class is $300 for a two-day training (If hotel is not required the cost decreases to $150). In return, MAPEI pays for 2 nights hotel stay, 2 lunches and 1 dinner. Also provided is a $400 rebate coupon on select MAPEI products to be used towards next purchase.

THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY'S WOOD EXTENSION CLASSES FOR WOOD FLOOR INSPECTORS ARE NOT JUST FOR INSPECTORS ANYMORE, BUT ARE NOW DEVELOPED FOR THE ENTIRE WOOD FLOORING INDUSTRY! The dates will be May 31 – June 3. This time all four professors who have at various times been involved in our educational programs will be lecturing. An in-depth program starting with an Introduction to Engineered Wood Construction and Manufacturing Concerns and Issues will be presented; then an Intermediate Engineered Wood Class. In addition, Wood Anatomy and Moisture Relationships for Solid and Engineered Wood will be another class to future develop your knowledge to understand the issues Manufacturers, Distributors, Retailers, Installers and Inspectors Inspect each day. Meet your Inspectors! Dr. Joe Denig has worked daily with sawmills, furniture plants & flooring plants for the past 26 years to improve their manufacturing & drying processes. Dr. Phil Mitchell has worked with NCSU Extension for the past 13 years improving manufacturing processes at secondary wood products plants. Dr. Dave Tilotta works with educational programs and provides assistance for sustainable wood housing and construction in North Carolina. Dr. Tony Lapasha has 24 years experience testing flooring products at NC State University. Additional Instructors may be added as the program fully develops! Information how to register for these classes will be sent in the near future. Thank you Lee

NeoCon is North America's largest design exposition and conference for commercial interiors, providing over 40,000 architecture and design professionals with more than 140 CEU-accredited seminars and association forums, top-notch keynote speakers.

The three-day Installation, Sand and Finish School is set up in a modular format, presenting different topics and hands-on training opportunities each day. On Wednesday, installation skills will be presented, including job site evaluation and preparation; installation techniques; safety; custom design procedures; and medallion installation. On Thursday, sanding and finishing will be presented, including hands-on training for custom floors. On Friday, finishing techniques will be presented, including repair and recoat of existing floors, board replacement, and hand-scraping. Attendees can participate in all three sessions or only those that best serve their needs. Students earn three NWFA Degree credits for the full session. $475 (members)/$575 (non-members)

The three-day Installation, Sand and Finish School is set up in a modular format, presenting different topics and hands-on training opportunities each day. On Wednesday, installation skills will be presented, including job site evaluation and preparation; installation techniques; safety; custom design procedures; and medallion installation. On Thursday, sanding and finishing will be presented, including hands-on training for custom floors. On Friday, finishing techniques will be presented, including repair and recoat of existing floors, board replacement, and hand-scraping. Attendees can participate in all three sessions or only those that best serve their needs. Students earn three NWFA Degree. The school in New York will be held at the New York City District Council of Carpenters headquarters at 395 Hudson Street, and it will cost $525 for members and $625 for non-members.

The four-day Wood Flooring Basics School is designed to provide a comprehensive entry-level overview of installation, sand and finish. This will include engineered, solid, parquet, prefinished and unfinished flooring. Other topics include water and wood, wood properties and job-site preparation. Demonstrations include safety, center layout, racking, nail guns and sanding and finish equipment. Students earn three NWFA Degree credits. $525 (member)/$625 (non-member)

The three-day Installation, Sand and Finish School is set up in a modular format, presenting different topics and hands-on training opportunities each day. On Wednesday, installation skills will be presented, including job site evaluation and preparation; installation techniques; safety; custom design procedures; and medallion installation. On Thursday, sanding and finishing will be presented, including hands-on training for custom floors. On Friday, finishing techniques will be presented, including repair and recoat of existing floors, board replacement, and hand-scraping. Attendees can participate in all three sessions or only those that best serve their needs. Students earn three NWFA Degree credits for the full session. $475 (members)/$575 (non-members)

The five-day Expert Installation School provides hands-on training for highly experienced wood flooring professionals. Students will design and install a custom wood floor. Prerequisites include previous attendance at an NWFA Advanced Installation School. Topics include building custom jigs, cutting taper boards, cutting parquet/medallions, bending wood, installing on a radius, free-hand routing, marquetry/inlays and job costing. Students earn 4 NWFA Degree credits. $1,200 (member)/$1,400 (non-member)*

*For attending both the Expert Installation and Expert Sand and Finish schools, the total cost is $2,000/$2,500, respectively.

The three-day Expert Sand and Finish School provides hands-on training for highly experienced wood flooring professionals. Prerequisites include three years' industry experience and previous attendance at NWFA Installation, Sand and Finish School. Topics include sanding and finishing custom mixed media; hand-brushing, rubbing and rolling finish; faux painting; repairing damaged boards; custom stain mixing and blending; and hand-scraping. Students earn four NWFA Degree credits. $900 (member)/$1,200 (non-member)*

*For attending both the Expert Installation and Expert Sand and Finish schools, the total cost is $2,000/$2,500, respectively.

The three-day Subfloor Preparation/Solid and Prefinished Installation School provides hands-on training for subfloor preparation on both concrete and wood, plus solid installation and prefinished installation over concrete and wood. Topics include self-levelers for concrete; moisture control systems for concrete and wood subfloors; moisture testing of concrete and wood subfloors; solid plank over concrete; prefinished installation over concrete and wood; adhesives; nail down options; and correcting wood subfloors. Students earn three NWFA Degree credits. $475 (member)/$575 (non-member)

Greenbuild is the world's largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. Thousands of building professionals from all over the world come together at Greenbuild for three days of outstanding educational sessions, renowned speakers, green building tours, special seminars, and networking events.

The five-day Expert Installation School provides hands-on training for highly experienced wood flooring professionals. Students will design and install a custom wood floor. Prerequisites include previous attendance at an NWFA Advanced Installation School. Topics include building custom jigs, cutting taper boards, cutting parquet/medallions, bending wood, installing on a radius, free-hand routing, marquetry/inlays and job costing. Students earn 4 NWFA Degree credits.

The three-day Expert Sand and Finish School provides hands-on training for highly experienced wood flooring professionals. Prerequisites include three years' industry experience and previous attendance at NWFA Installation, Sand and Finish School. Topics include sanding and finishing custom mixed media; hand-brushing, rubbing and rolling finish; faux painting; repairing damaged boards; custom stain mixing and blending; and hand-scraping. Students earn four NWFA Degree credits.