Hardwood Floors June/July 2026

CHAIR’S CUT MAKING NWFA A

Steve Brattin Chair, NWFA

Community

As I write this column, I have just returned from the 2026 NWFA Wood Flooring Expo in Orlando, Florida. The week was filled with seeing old and new friends, hands-on demos, valuable education sessions, and exciting new products. But one of the big things that has stuck with me after the show is the commitment our industry has to service. That was evident starting with the opening session of Expo. We heard from NWFA members from across the country about what drives them and how they carry that passion forward. The NWFA thrives because of the volunteers who go above and beyond to make it a community for wood flooring professionals. Before the curtain was even raised for Expo, there were examples of giving back for the betterment of the industry. Board members who come together to figure out how to strengthen the association. The world-class NWFA Regional Instructors who spend time away from their businesses to teach hands-on courses and come up with top-notch demonstrations to do during the show. Members who share their knowledge with others during education sessions. There were an incredible number of NWFA Service Award honorees recognized during this year’s Expo. These included the Community Service Award, Emerging Leader Award, Hall of Fame, and Vanguard Award. The ways in which these members have supported the association and their communities are inspiring. You can read more about the recipients and their amazing contributions starting on page 44 of this magazine. Something else highlighted during Expo was one of NWFA’s most meaningful partnerships, the Gary Sinise Foundation. Through their R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program, they build specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders, improving the quality of life for heroes and their families. NWFA and its members have proudly contributed flooring and labor to these projects for years. To date, we have helped complete more than 88 homes, providing beautiful, durable wood floors that make a lasting impact. The NWFA Education & Research Foundation (NERF) Golf Tournament closed out the week at Expo. It was fun and the proceeds went to benefit the Flooring Futures Initiative, which helps support the next generation of flooring contractors and business owners. More than $100,000 in scholarships have been awarded since NERF was created. NWFA members contribute in a variety of ways and it does not go unnoticed around here. We might say “you get out what you put in” a lot, but actually, any investment you make into improving the industry, yourself, or your business will come back to benefit you more than you could imagine. Contact the NWFA today at 800.422.4556 or visit nwfa.org to get involved.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NWFA

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