Powerful Partnerships

[Calhoun, Ga.] Mohawk Flooring is bringing more than new flooring to the upcoming Edge Summit, to be held Dec. 1-4 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. The company has aligned with strategic and philanthropic partners that will be prominently featured at the biannual event.

Indeed, several of the partners will occupy dedicated floor space at the Partnership Zone, and leaders of four groups — Women in the Floorcovering Industry (WIFI), the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF), Certified Flooring Installers (CFI) and Susan G. Komen — will lead education sessions as well as networking events. In addition, World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) and tise will be attending the summit as well.

“For us, partnership goes beyond what happens between Mohawk and an individual retailer,” said Laura Bartley, Mohawk’s vice president of customer loyalty and rewards. “If we want our customers and our industry to thrive long term, we must invest in the people, talent and infrastructure that make this industry stronger.”

WIFI will host a brunch as well and a panel; FCEF will host a happy hour and two education sessions, CFI and Susan G. Komen will host education sessions. In addition, tise will host a separate happy hour.

Bartley pointed to FCEF and WIFI as key strategic partners. “FCEF is tackling one of the most significant challenges facing our industry — the need to recruit, educate and develop the next generation of skilled flooring professionals. WIFI is creating opportunities for women to build stronger networks, develop as leaders and advance their careers. Both are addressing needs that ultimately impact the health and future of our retail partners.”

It is important for Mohawk to support these organizations and bring them directly to its retail partners, Bartley added. “Edge Summit brings together some of the most engaged and influential retailers in the country, so we believe it is the right platform to give these organizations visibility and create opportunities for our customers to engage with them. Edge Summit is about helping retailers win today, but it is also about making sure our industry is positioned to win tomorrow.
WIFI

WIFI will host a brunch on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. in its booth where attendees can learn how WIFI is empowering women across the industry and explore membership opportunities. In addition, as part of Mohawk’s Listen Track, Bartley and Kelly Oberschlake, vice president of sales for national accounts at Mohawk, will moderate on a panel with women leaders from across the industry as they share insights on leadership, career growth and the power of connection. Panelists will explore the opportunities, challenges and experiences that have shaped their careers.

“We intentionally wanted to give WIFI two very different opportunities at Edge Summit — one centered around learning and one centered around connection,” said Bartley, who is on the board of WIFI.

“The WIFI panel is about giving attendees access to women who have built successful careers and businesses in this industry and creating a candid conversation about the experiences, lessons and strategies that helped them get there. We want people to walk away with ideas they can apply to their own careers and businesses,” Bartley explained.

The networking event is equally important, she said, “because sometimes the most valuable conversation happens after the formal session is over. It gives women across different roles, companies and stages of their careers an opportunity to meet one another, build relationships and expand their networks.”

The goal, she said, is to have women leave Edge Summit with something they learned and someone new they can call, Bartley added. “I would encourage attendees to listen for the ideas that resonate with where they are right now and then continue those conversations afterward. The real value comes when inspiration becomes action — whether that means asking for a new opportunity, seeking out a mentor, investing in a skill or simply making a connection with someone who can broaden your perspective.”

FCEF
FCEF will host a happy hour Wednesday, Dec. 2, a panel as part of the Listen Track and a session as part of the Adapt Track. “Both sessions will focus on one of the biggest challenges facing our industry: building and sustaining a skilled workforce,” said Kaye Whitener, executive director for FCEF. “We want to highlight the importance of recruiting new talent, providing quality training, and connecting graduates with career and employment opportunities. These discussions will also focus on how flooring dealers can become part of the solution.

Whitener will lead a panel discussion called Recruiting and Developing the Installer Workforce. This panel of experts will discuss ways the industry can attract the next generation of installers and create meaningful career pathways. Panelists will share real-world strategies for connecting with young people through schools, workforce programs, and social media, as well as lessons learned from apprenticeship and training initiatives that are helping develop skilled installation professionals.

Whitener will lead a session called Driving the Future of Installation Together to address the installer shortage. Dealers will learn how they can actively support FCEF in recruiting, training, and placing the next generation of installers, as well as hear what works and doesn’t work in the field.

Whitener said participating in Edge Summit is instrumental in the foundation’s growth. As well, she emphasized that Mohawk was one of FCEF’s founding supporters. “Having Joe Semaan, [president, residential carpet], serve on our Board of Directors further demonstrates that commitment. Edge Summit provides an incredible opportunity to connect directly with the retailers who need skilled flooring professionals. Education and workforce development are essential to the future growth and success of every flooring business.”

By attending and participating in Edge Summit, dealers can see firsthand what FCEF does and how it impacts the industry. “Our greatest benefit is the opportunity to build relationships and turn awareness into action. We want Edge dealers to understand the resources available through FCEF and how they can support training, connect with graduates, and invest in the next generation of flooring professionals. With their participation, we can expand our reach, strengthen local workforce partnerships, and create a sustainable pipeline of skilled talent.”

The installer issue impacts the entire industry, Whitener said, and it’s crucial to be front and center with influential retailers who can help address the problem.

“We are grateful for Mohawk’s continued leadership and support. Together, we aren’t just addressing today's labor shortage — we're building the future of the flooring industry.”