Manufacturers Assembly

NWFA/NOFMA members invite all wood flooring manufacturers to join them at the Live! by Loews – Ballpark Village, in St. Louis. This year, the Wood Flooring Manufacturers Assembly is excited to be an integral part of the first annual NWFA Leadership Development Summit. Step away from the everyday hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in an expanded gathering of industry leaders. You’ll gain up-to-the-minute insights into the wood flooring market, reconnect with colleagues, enhance your network, and elevate your leadership skills. You’ll also have the opportunity to tour the new NWFA Headquarters, and support scholarship opportunities by playing in the first-ever NWFA Education & Research Foundation Golf Tournament.

Thursday, October 10, 2024

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Joint Networking Reception

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Joint Networking Reception with Manufacturer’s Assembly attendees, NWFA Board of Directors, and Emerging Leaders Council

Friday, October 11, 2024

7:30 am - 8:30 am: Breakfast

Light breakfast

8:30 am - 12:30 pm: Presentations & Panel Discussion

Presentations:

Speakers include Robert Dietz, Chief Economist for the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), who will discuss the current economic and housing market trends. Santo Torcivia, renowned flooring market analytics specialist and publisher of the annual US & Canadian FLOOReport, will provide an update on the wood flooring market in the U.S. and Canada. Dana Cole, Executive Director of the Hardwood Federation and a strong voice for the hardwood industry on Capitol Hill, will share her perspective on the upcoming 2024 elections and their potential impact on the hardwood industry.

2025 Wood Flooring Industry Outlook

Libby White Johnston
Publisher/VP of Media
Hardwood Floors Magazine/NWFA

Libby White Johnston is the publisher of Hardwood Floors magazine and the vice president of media for the National Wood Flooring Association. In this role, she works with the NWFA team to create content that matters to wood flooring professionals, as well as to raise consumer awareness of the many positives of real wood floors.

Economic & Housing Outlook – When Will the Fed Cut and What Does it Mean for Construction

Robert Dietz
Chief Economist
NAHB

Dr. Robert Dietz is the Chief Economist for the National Association of Home Builders, where his responsibilities include economic forecasting, industry surveys, and policy research. He is commonly cited on CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and NPR. He is the nation’s leading analyst of the residential construction industry.

U.S & Canadian Wood Flooring Market Update

Santo Torcivia
President
Market Insights

Santo Torcivia is president of Market Insights LLC in Reading, Pennsylvania. Market Insights, LLC is uniquely positioned to provide flooring and related firms with effective and insightful solutions, analysis and strategies for the increasingly competitive market.

Election 2024 – What it Could Mean for the Hardwood Industry

Dana Lee Cole
Executive Director
Hardwood Federation

Dana Lee Cole is the Executive Director at the Hardwood Federation, a Washington-D.C.-based trade association that represents the hardwood industry on Capitol Hill, and advocates on its behalf. She meets regularly with political leaders on both sides of the aisle to inform and educate them about issues impacting the hardwood industry.

Panel Discussion:

The wood flooring leadership panel is an opportunity to take part in a lively discussion on the ever-evolving flooring industry and the art of leadership. Whether your interests lie in industry topics such as raw material supply, design trends, and market outlooks, or leadership themes like evolving leadership styles post-pandemic, team motivations, and advice for new leaders, this session is designed for you. Join us for an engaging experience that will provide both actionable insights and renewed inspiration.

Moderator

Michael Martin
President & CEO
NWFA

Michael Martin is the President and CEO with the NWFA in St. Louis, MO. He has been named a Top Association CEO by CEO Update and also serves on several Boards.

Panel Discussion

Brian Carson
President & CEO
AHF Products

Brian Carson is the President & CEO of AHF Products. Brian has been in the flooring industry for nearly 30 years, starting his career with Armstrong after graduating with degrees in Mechanical Engineering from New York University’s Polytechnic School of Engineering and Physical Sciences from St. John’s University.

Panel Discussion

Adam McCombs
CEO
Somerset Hardwood Flooring

Adam McCombs is CEO of Somerset Hardwood Flooring, headquartered in Somerset, KY. The company provides American-manufactured solid and engineered flooring products. He is also responsible for sales of the Boen product family, which represents a range of high-end European flooring options from their parent Company, Bauwerk Group, headquartered in St. Margrethen, Switzerland.

Panel Discussion

Renee Tester
Marketing Director
Kährs Americas

Renee Tester is the Marketing Director of Kährs Americas. She has over 17 years of experience in the flooring industry, with a comprehensive background in manufacturing, marketing, product development, and sales. Her career began as the Technical Services Manager for Harris Wood Flooring, and her passion for the industry has driven her to continually expand her expertise.

Panel Discussion

Chris Sy
President
Carlisle Wide Plank Floors

Chris Sy is the President of Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. Chris started with Carlisle Wide Plank Floors in the mid-1990s when the company had only three employees. Over the past 27 years, Chris has overseen all aspects of the business at one time or another and has held the role of president for the last five years. Chris is passionate about wood, not just flooring, so during his free time, he can be found in the forest, in the garden, or his wood shop.

Panel Discussion

John Hammel
Senior Director Hardwood & Laminate
Mannington

John Hammel is the Sr. Director, Residential Hard Surface for Mannington Mills. With 20 years of Product Management experience in multiple industries, he has a passion for product with a deep appreciation for real hardwood. John has served on the NWFA NERF Board of Directors for the last three years and serves on the Board of Directors and as Secretary of NALFA.

6:00 pm - 8:30 pm: NWFA Headquarters Tour (Optional), Appetizers & Refreshments

Event Information

Experience the NWFA Leadership Development Summit at Live! by Loews – Ballpark Village, a premier venue in the heart of St. Louis. With modern amenities, convenient access to local attractions, and stunning city views, this dynamic setting is perfect for networking, learning, and connecting with industry peers.

October 10-12, 2024
Live! by Loews – Ballpark Village
799 Clark Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63102