Opening Keynote Session, Tuesday, September 14, 8:45 - 9:45 am Â
Opening Keynote Session Success in Challenging Times
Presented by Harold Chapman, Commercial Flooring Executive and Past President and CEO of Bonitz
Presenter - Harold Chapman recently retired as President & CEO of Bonitz Flooring Group, Inc., the nation’s largest independent commercial flooring company. At Bonitz, he was responsible for providing vision and leadership, using his considerable management, sales, sales training and marketing strategy skills to lead the company to success. Mr. Chapman has served in numerous leadership capacities and has been recognized by various organizations in the industry. He serves StarNet Commercial Flooring Cooperative in a Chairman Emeritus role and is a former Chairman of the Board of Directors. He is Past Chairman for the WFCA (World Floor Covering Association) and has served as a board member since 2012. In 2000, Mr. Chapman was inaugurated by the Carolinas’ Chapter of the IIDA into the Carolinas Chapter Hall of Fame. Then, in 2018, in a crowning career moment, Mr. Chapman was elected to the WFCA Hall of Fame. Currently, he serves on Mannington’s Board of Directors. Mr. Chapman is known nationally for his vision, dedication and support of the commercial design community.
* The Opening Keynote Session is sponsored by RFMS.Â
Education Session, Tuesday, September 14, 11:30 - 12:45 pmÂ
How do High Moisture Resistant Products Work in High Moisture Conditions and How Can They Still Fail with All the Claims Made? Presented by Jeffrey Johnson, FCIS and Retail Business Marketing Manager, MAPEI Corporation
Session Description - During the course of this presentation we will discuss the process of polymer coalescence and why that is important for high moisture resistant adhesive function. Understanding how water-based pressure sensitive adhesives work will allow the contractor to avoid certain conditions that may defeat the claims made on products like this. We will also learn about the chemistry of a concrete slab and what drives moisture movement. It is very important for the contractor to understand the science of concrete curing and what drives moisture through a concrete slab. We will discuss topics including diffusion of moisture in a concrete slab, semipermeable membranes and how they are made in a concrete structure, the origin of soluble salts in concrete, their dissolution and precipitation on the surface (efflorescence) and how all of this drives moisture movement that can result in catastrophic floor failures. All of this is offered to better understand how floor installations fail in spite of claims made by adhesive and flooring manufacturers and why it is still critically important to make sure that a concrete slab is isolated from the earth and an infinite moisture source.
Presenter - Jeffrey Johnson is the FCIS and Retail Business Marketing Manager for MAPEI’s Floor Covering Installation Systems product assortment. He has more than 30 years of experience in floor-covering installation product development and marketing. With practical experience in construction and as an adhesive bench chemist, Jeff has a unique perspective on the materials used in the flooring installation industry. As a bench chemist, he formulated water based and reactive type adhesives. In his current position, Jeff drives sales growth, product innovation and education for floor covering installation products involved with the carpet, resilient and wood flooring installation market segments.
Education Session, Wednesday, September 15, 9:15 - 10:15 am
What Went Wrong in 2021 and How are We Going to Move on From It?
Presented by Ron Nash, President of LATICRETE North America, LATICRETE International, Inc.Â
Session Description - In this presentation, Ron Nash will discuss Laticrete International and the commercial flooring industry's unprecedented global and domestic supply line challenges - and what it means for the industry today. Consumption data for the next three quarters will also be briefly reviewed. The question 'What Went Wrong in 2021 and How are We Going to Move on From It?' - will be answered: what happened, what’s happening and what it all means.
Presenter - Ron Nash is the President, COO – North America of Laticrete International. Before being named President in July 2021, Ron was Laticrete's SVP of Sales & Marketing and was responsible for sales, product development and marketing operations, including end-to-end management of all sales activities and architectural specification support in the North American markets. He also plays key roles in Laticrete's strategic development and helped foster strategic reseller relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace. Ron also serves on industry boards including the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA).Â
Education Session, Wednesday, September 15, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Ceramic Tile in the Commercial EnvironmentÂ
Presented by Daniel Grant, CIM, Technical Field Representative, ARDEX Americas
Session Description - In this presentation, Daniel will discuss different types of tile installations in the commercial environment, covering what you need to know including proper substrate prep, how to address cracks and joints, appropriate installation tools and methods, suitable mortar and grout selection and proper placement of expansion joints.
 
Presenter - Daniel Grant’s experience in the flooring industry began in 1992. A strong desire to assist others to achieve his same standard of excellence in flooring motivated him to continue his career with Ardex in 2017, as a Technical Field Representative based in the Central US. His areas of expertise include tile and stone installation, concrete repair, moisture in concrete, proper substrate preparation, underlayments, toppings, and adhesives. Daniel holds several industry certifications – FCICA’s Certified Installation Manager (CIM), CTEF’s Certified Tile Installer, ICRI’s Moisture Testing Technician, and NAFCT’s Substrate and Subfloor Prep Certification, and he is actively involved with FCICA, CTEF, NTCA, ICRI, and NAFCT. Daniel is driven to provide practical solutions to ensure long term success with superior installation processes for customers, trainees, and end users alike.
Education Session, Wednesday, September 15, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Managing Customer Expectations for Polished Concrete Floors
Presented by Shane Jenkins, Senior Technical Coordinator, Schönox, HPS North America, Inc.
Session Description - If you are looking at trends in the industry, you don’t have to look far to see polished concrete and polishable concrete overlays as an emerging market segment. Polishable concrete overlays are a specialty flooring category that can be quite profitable. Taking an old and worn concrete slab and bringing new life to it is an accomplishment of which to be proud. This great accomplishment can only be obtained when you meet the customer’s expectations. Shane will share the best approach to meet those expectations.
Presenter - Shane Jenkins has worked in the flooring industry for more than 25 years. He joined the Schönox team in 2015 as a Regional Business Manager for the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Eastern Texas regions. In 2018, he moved into his current role of Senior Technical Coordinator, based in the Florence Support Center in Florence, AL. Shane is an active member of several professional organizations, including ASTM, INSTALL, FCICA, ICRI, CFI, RFCI, and NTCA. He is the past president of the American Subcontractors Association of Mississippi. Shane is committed to learning from and assisting customers by visiting with them, looking at their job sites and hearing about their challenges first-hand.
Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch resides on a sprawling 28-acre facility in Dripping Springs. The setting is all Hill Country with gnarled oak trees, fire pits, and unimpeded views of the big Texas sky. Treaty Oak Distilling is passionate about what they do. They value heritage like a buried treasure but have challenged everything they know:Â ingredients, temperatures, timing, proof, and while creating new flavors to savor.
