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NALFA Holds Fall Meeting in Philadelphia

The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) held its annual fall conference from October 7th to 9th, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the association, the event brought together industry leaders with the aim of strengthening NALFA's role as the authoritative voice on laminate flooring standards, certification, and education.

The conference gathered NALFA members from across North America and industry leaders, including Mohawk Industries, Cali Flooring, Shaw Industries Group, Kronospan USA, DMX Films, Inc., Park Lightweight Materials (PLI), MP Global Products, LLC, Selit North America, Arauco North America, Torlys, Mannington Floors, Zama, Floor & Decor, Framerica, North Carolina State University, and the International Floor Covering Inspectors Association. Attendees discussed industry progress, standard improvement, and long-term growth strategies, reaffirming NALFA's commitment to solidifying laminate flooring's position in the market, the association said.

The event, chaired by NALFA President Tom Wright of Mohawk Industries, emphasized the need to expand the association's technical leadership and industry engagement. Members discussed initiatives to deepen cooperation with retailers, distributors, and manufacturers, while advancing certification priorities to enhance the quality, sustainability, and innovation behind NALFA-certified products, NALFA shared.

Wright said, "NALFA's fall conference demonstrated the strong momentum and unity in our industry. Our members are firmly committed to driving innovation, building consumer confidence in NALFA-certified products, and ensuring laminate flooring remains a trusted, high-performance, and sustainable choice for today's consumers."

NALFA members participated in committee meetings and industry showcase events, which provided information to support the association's work. The Technical, Underlayment Materials, Decorative Lines, and Marketing committees met to review standards, performance testing, market education, and communication initiatives, each aligning its work with NALFA's broader goals of education, knowledge sharing, and industry collaboration.

The event featured dynamic keynote speeches. Drew Kern, owner of Infinity Claims Management Solutions, shared his 25 years of experience in the flooring industry, including his extensive background in installation, inspection, and product testing. His presentation highlighted the best practices and technical excellence necessary to support long-term product performance and customer satisfaction.

Eric Lynch, an economist with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), provided the latest analysis on the economic situation, covering housing trends, consumer behavior, and market forces affecting the flooring industry. As a registered business economist with expertise in data analysis, Lynch offered practical insights to help attendees understand how broader economic indicators shape industry opportunities.

Looking ahead, NALFA's spring conference is scheduled for March 10th to 12th, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. The association encourages members to attend and contribute to the discussions shaping the laminate flooring industry. For more information on NALFA membership, certification programs, industry standards, and upcoming events, visit www.nalfa.com.