Hardwood Floors June/July 2026

SPECIAL CONTENT BUSINESS BEST PRACTICES

In the simplest terms, trade associations exist to support professionals within a specific industry. The American Medical Association supports physicians, medical residents, and medical students; the National Association of Manufacturers supports manufacturers across all industries; and the National Association of Home Builders supports residential home builders and remodelers. There pretty much is an association for every profession (teachers, financial planners, electricians), interest (environment, animal welfare, retirement), and hobby (home brewing, vehicle restoration, hunting). Within our industry, the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) supports professionals across the entire wood flooring supply chain: manufacturers, distributors, retailers, contractors, inspectors, and more. This is different from most associations that focus only on one member segment because it brings together all member types to improve and grow the industry as a whole, for the benefit of all. Still, many businesses hesitate to join a trade association because they think they already know everything they need to know, they’re already successful, or they just don’t understand how an association could help their business. But whether you’re an experienced installer, a seasoned inspector, a diversified distributor, a growing retailer, an established manufacturer, or brand new to the industry, if you’re part of the wood flooring industry, joining the NWFA can be one of the smartest professional decisions you make. Here’s why. People join trade associations for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they want to expand their industry knowledge, meet peers who share their experiences, or even just obtain business leads, but the truth is, simply joining a trade association doesn’t make magic happen. You have to engage in the process to reap its benefits. And the benefits are many. Association? Trade Why Join a

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