The International Surfaces Event 2020 was held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV last week and IT. WAS. AMAZING!

This was our first time out to the show and we went as a group. Larry from Apex flooring was the only one who has been out previously and he was an AMAZING help throughout the event, we couldn’t be more thankful for him and showing us around.

Jose, Daniel - Preferred Flooring, Larry - Apex Flooring, Dirk - Custom Floor Crafters

We started the week off by getting registered right away and trying to get some sneak peeks into the show. Guess what? They weren’t having any of that and security SHUT IT DOWN!

We then decided it was time to walk around Vegas like tourists since the Education didn’t start until Monday morning, while the Show didn’t start until Tuesday.

Monday we all hit the ground running with some CONVERGE sessions. The education aspect of the show is amazing and there’s TONS of useful information discussed. So much so that it was a little difficult to choose which sessions to go to.

Then there's SO MUCH to say about the NETWORKING!!!!!! Emerging Professionals, Flooring Installers of America, CFI, and of course all of the amazing vendors. There was so much to see, and so much to do. Even if you only spoke to someone briefly, the knowledge and passion at this convention makes you want to return and make it an annual thing. It lights a fire under you knowing that there’s so many other people out there with the same passion for floor covering.

AND last but not least . . . . The National Installer of the Year Competition. It is VERY humbling to install in front of the entire convention with some AMAZING installers. It doesn’t matter if you won or lost in the competition, these guys were in it to win it. The 2 days were a challenge and we worked every minute they gave us. It was a GREAT experience and I recommend you to give it a shot sometime! Make sure you keep an eye out to see when the entries need to be submitted.

If you were ever on the fence about going to this event and if it was worth it . . . . . Do yourself a favor and go. We will see you there!

A HUGE Shout out to the supporters. Jose Gonzalez, the face of Preferred Flooring - If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have given flooring a chance and I definitely wouldn’t be as good as I am now without your knowledge and expertise. Larry Melton with Apex Flooring, you talked this event up to us to the point we wanted to go more than you, we love being your partner and friend. Dirk O’Brien with Custom Floor Crafters, you’re always there when we have a question and always willing to help us out. My wife Tanya for being my biggest fan and having so much confidence you told everyone I was going to win before I even got accepted. CFI, ProInstaller Magazine and TISE for putting together a great show and a great competition. All the other competitors for becoming great friends and all the judges for taking the time to critique every minute we were in those boxes. Last but not least - Check out some of these Partners . . .

TISE 2020