Orlando, Florida, was the backdrop for the 2026 National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Wood Flooring Expo last week. The theme was “Ignite Your Passion,” and attendees experienced hands-on demonstrations, valuable education sessions, new products on the show floor, and numerous networking opportunities.
This year marked the 40th time the wood flooring industry has gathered for the NWFA Expo. The passion for the craft, and the people who care so deeply about what they do were front and center during the event’s opening session. Stephanie Owen, president and CEO of NWFA, welcomed attendees and shared that the association never stands still.
“We are always looking for ways to better serve our members, and to make sure you have every advantage you need to grow your business and advance your career,” said Owen. “From expanding educational opportunities to new AI-powered tools built for members, to a major push to get your work in front of architects and designers, plus new resources and events designed with small businesses in mind there is a lot happening, and all of it is for you.”
The latest trends, products, and solutions were highlighted at exhibitors’ booths throughout the trade show. Milton Goodwin, senior vice president, product management of wood for AHF Products, noted that they were introducing Bruce® Natural Choice™ 5/16˝ solid hardwood, which is now paired with the new SUMMIT SELECT™ adhesive system. He is optimistic about where both the solid and engineered side of their business will land by the end of the year.
“The show’s clientele that we see here are the tried and true. They’re the people that get up every day and sell wood. They are dramatically different than people who get up every day and sell flooring,” said Goodwin. “We have been making wood flooring for 150 plus years, so we are pretty good at it, but the people we are talking to around here will test us.”
Expo attendees were treated to seeing a recreation of Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” painting made entirely out of wood. They took photos with the masterpiece, as well as its creator, Jakko Woudenberg, who is known as the Dutch Wood Artist. This, after Lenny Hall with Endurance Floor Company led an effort garnering donations from wood flooring professionals to cover the cost of overseas freight and transport to bring this work of art to the United States.
“When I saw ‘The Night Watch’ lying there in Orlando, surrounded by people from our craft, it hit me. This piece was never just mine, from the very beginning, I have involved as many people as possible, and everyone who contributes in any way, no matter how small, becomes part of it,” said Woudenberg. “The way people responded, not just seeing it, but truly understanding it, meant everything to me. It has been and still is one big adventure with an open ending, because the journey is far from over. Who knows where ‘The Night Watch’ will go next. I truly hope it inspires many and helps put our craft on the map as an art form.”
The 2026 NWFA Service Award honorees and Wood Floor of the Year Award winners were announced during the Expo.
“Becoming a member of the NWFA Hall of Fame is one of the great honors of my professional career,” said Bob Goldstein of Vermont Natural Coatings. “I am humbled to be in the same group of men and women who were and are the pillars of our craft. People who dedicated their lives with passion and pride to advance and grow the wood floor industry in all of its facets, education, conservation, and laying the path for future generations.”
A complete list of those recognized is included below, and more about these recipients will be featured in the upcoming June/July 2026 issue of Hardwood Floors magazine.
2026 NWFA Service Awards
- Community Service Award:
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- Izaiah Barrow, iSandNewYork
- Brandon Dudek, Vivid Hardwood Flooring
- Larry Haggarty, Huron Flooring Ltd.
- Sprigg Lynn, Universal Floors
- Bryan Page, Vintage Floors
- Emerging Leader Award: Oliver R. Barajas, Bridgebay Flooring
- Hall of Fame Award:
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- Bob Goldstein, Vermont Natural Coatings
- Denny Hickman, Hickman Lumber
- Larry Hickman, Hickman Lumber
- Tom McNeil, Bona
- Vanguard Award:
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- Drew Kern, Infinity Claims Management Solutions
- Bryan Park, Footprints Floors
- Tommy Sancic, Olde Wood Ltd.
2026 NWFA Wood Floor of the Year Awards
- Best in Circles/Curves/Bent Wood + Members’ Choice: Floor Master Company
- Best in Color/Finish and Textured Wood: Cardona Flooring
- Best Historic Restoration: Silver Creek Hardwood Floors
- Best in Marquetry/Inlays: Renaissance Floor Inlays
- Best Parquetry: AG Floor Covering
- Best Use of Technology: J.L. Vivash Custom Wood Floors Ltd.
- Best Staircase: Urbanik Surfaces
- Manufacturer Spotlight: Graf Custom Hardwood
Mark your calendar now for next year’s Expo, which will take place April 27-29, 2027, in Fort Worth, Texas.