Brands: International Design Guild

Over 1,200 flooring retailers and industry leaders gathered in Denver for conneXtion, CCA Global Partners’ annual convention this past week. Held during a time when economic uncertainty has become the norm, not the exception, this year’s event delivered practical, prescriptive strategies to help members perform in a volatile, uncertain, and often complex market. 

From the outset, Keith Spano, President of CCA Retail Group and Carpet One Floor & Home, and Steve Sieracki, President of Flooring America, Flooring Canada, The Floor Trader, and International Design Guild, established a clear tone: retailers cannot afford to wait for market conditions to improve. While broader economic pressures—including interest rates, housing headwinds, and shifting consumer trends—continue to impact the industry, CCA Global Partners members already take share and outperform key competitors. conneXtion 2026 reinforced that momentum by equipping members with clear direction, proven tactics, and the confidence to act decisively in 2026. 

A Tactical Blueprint for Retail Success 

A centerpiece of conneXtion 2026 was a leadership-led framework focused on execution across three core areas of every flooring business: Marketing, Operations, and Merchandising. During the event’s main general sessions, Spano and Sieracki introduced twelve tactics aimed at delivering stronger performance across each of these areas. 

Rather than positioning profitability as something dictated by external forces, the framework emphasized that many of the most impactful levers already exist within members’ businesses. As Sieracki noted during the session, “waiting for the market to change doesn’t improve results—execution does.” Tactics were intentionally structured to help members reduce costs, improve efficiency, and strengthen revenue performance using tools and processes already available to them. 

Spano reinforced that message by tying the tactics to real performance benchmarks, illustrating how disciplined execution can materially improve margins over time. By applying these keys consistently, members can meaningfully increase profitability regardless of economic conditions—shifting focus away from what they can’t control and toward what they can. 

This prescriptive approach—grounded in data, member performance insights, and real-world application—defined the tone of conneXtion 2026 and underscored CCA Global Partners’ commitment to helping retailers succeed through action, not anticipation. 

Industry Engagement and Strategic Partnerships 

The event’s 115,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall brought together more than 100 exhibiting companies, giving members direct access to vendor partners, products, and merchandising solutions aligned with the strategies discussed on stage. The exhibit experience reinforced the event’s tactical focus, enabling retailers to make informed decisions regarding showroom planning, product mix, and vendor relationships. 

Community, Leadership, and Shared Momentum 

conneXtion 2026 also highlighted the strength of the cooperative community. Networking opportunities included the Women in the Flooring Industry luncheon, which recognized leadership and contributions across the cooperative membership, and NEX40’s NEXFest, a gathering that brought together emerging leaders to discuss the future of the industry. 

During Wednesday’s final general session, the cooperative welcomed Purple Heart recipient and nationally renowned motivational speaker Sgt. Rick Yarosh, as part of its Tunnel to Towers presentation. Yarosh opened up about his time in the military and his path to recovery, sharing a message of hope that highlighted the deep importance of caring for our veteran and first responder communities. 

An Evening with Jay Leno 

Later that evening, members gathered for an exclusive stand-up performance and live Q&A with Jay Leno, one of the most recognizable and respected figures in the entertainment industry. Best known for his two-decade run as host of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Leno has built a career defined by longevity, versatility, and an unmistakable comedic voice. Beyond television, he remains a prolific performer, taking the stage for more than 100 stand-up shows annually while continuing to engage audiences through projects such as Jay Leno’s Garage, his Emmy Award–winning automotive series with a global following. 

The evening also included a charity auction benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in honor of its 25th anniversary, featuring a private tour of Jay Leno’s Garage as the highlighted item. Closing with over $130,000 raised in donations, the event reinforced the cooperative’s shared commitment to supporting service members, first responders, and the families who stand behind them. 

Looking Ahead 

As conneXtion 2026 concludes, members are heading home with a clearer path forward and the confidence to act decisively in today’s market. The strategies introduced in Denver are positioned to drive continued momentum throughout the year, and the Retail Group looks ahead to building on that progress together at Summer Regional Meetings across the U.S. and Canada.

CCA Global Partners Retail Group celebrated excellence during its annual conneXtion™ event this week, recognizing three exceptional co-op members whose leadership, innovation, and commitment embody the spirit of the cooperative.

New this year, the Carpet One Floor & Home Legacy Award celebrates members who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication throughout their careers to their business and the cooperative group.

The Howard Brodsky Legacy Award

The inaugural recipient of the Howard Brodsky Legacy Award is Bill Kerns of Kerns Carpet One Floor & Home in Brookfield, WI.

Bill’s story is a testament to loyalty and leadership. Joining the family business in 1987, just two years after Kerns Carpet One became one of the original 13 cooperative members, Bill spent nearly four decades growing two Carpet One locations, supporting ProSource, and serving as an RNG Coordinator. His unwavering commitment is reflected in an astonishing record—72 consecutive CCA conventions attended.

As Bill steps into retirement, his sons will continue the family tradition, carrying forward the values that Bill exemplifies. This award ensures his legacy will inspire future generations within the cooperative.

Alan Greenberg Award

Named in honor of CCA Global Partners co-founder Alan Greenberg, recognizes members who embody the cooperative spirit through active participation, contributions to the collective, and support of fellow members.

This year’s recipient is Bonnie Fenwick of Carpet One Floor & Home in Jacksonville, FL. Bonnie’s leadership and commitment have set a benchmark for excellence, reflecting the values of stewardship, integrity, and community involvement that define this prestigious honor.

Wally Hileman Award

This year’s winner of the Wally Hileman Award is Brent Posusta of Custom Interiors Carpet One Floor & Home in Hutchinson, MN.

The award, named in memory of Carpet One’s first Vice President of Membership, Wally Hileman, celebrates new members who embody cooperative values and show exceptional commitment to its growth and success.   

Brent’s rapid embrace of Carpet One programs and his dedication to collaborative growth exemplify the energy and innovation that strengthen the cooperative.

A Word from Leadership

Keith Spano, President of CCA Retail Group and Carpet One Floor & Home, praised the honorees: “Bill, Bonnie, and Brent, represent the best of our cooperative. Their passion, leadership, and dedication to shared success inspire us all and strengthen the foundation of our community.”

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all this year’s award winners and thank them for their unwavering dedication to the cooperative. Their achievements not only strengthen our community today but also pave the way for continued success and innovation in the years ahead.

Education took center stage on Monday, January 12, at CCA Global Partners’ conneXtion 2026. Following a remarkable year in which members of CCA Global Partners University took over 57,000 courses and participated in more than 300 live sessions, the momentum continued with Education Day. This much-anticipated event featured over 40 expert-led sessions, providing attendees with practical strategies to strengthen their businesses in a rapidly evolving market. 

Generational Expert Jason Dorsey got things off to an exciting start: sharing his own exclusive research on the buying habits of flooring customers across different generations. His presentation provided a comprehensive overview of how retailers can effectively connect with each demographic, sharing insights to inform smarter business decisions. 

Following Jason Dorsey’s presentation, members chose a schedule of classes organized into five key categories: Member-Led, Installation, For Your Business, Marketing, and For Your People. This structure provided diverse topics tailored to meet various business needs. 

One of the most discussed topics was Artificial Intelligence (AI). Multiple sessions explore how members can embrace this transformative technology. Classes ranged from introductory overviews to advanced strategy sessions, such as “Hack the Hype: How to Harness AI for Growth and Human Connection.” These workshops provided attendees with practical tools to begin using or expand their use of AI. 

While the entire curriculum provided deep industry insights, the member-led educational sessions were a major highlight. These sessions created a powerful forum for peer-to-peer exchange, allowing attendees to move beyond theory and engage directly with colleagues in the flooring business. This collaborative environment facilitated the sharing of crucial best practices and the collective development of innovative strategies to tackle common industry hurdles. 

“Education Day is all about variety and relevance,” said Nicole Harding, Vice President of CCA University. “With more than 40 sessions, there’s something for every business need—from AI and claims management to laser-focused sales techniques. Our members leave with actionable strategies they can implement immediately.” 

Education Day remains a cornerstone of conneXtion, empowering members with the knowledge and tools necessary to drive success. And this is just the start for 2026—members will have access to new learning modules and live sessions throughout the year, designed to help them stay ahead in an ever-changing business environment and support the ongoing growth of their teams and businesses. 

Future flooring leaders gathered in Denver on Sunday as CCA Global Partners’ NEX40 group hosted its second annual retreat. Held on January 11 at the Gaylord Rockies during CCA Global Partners’ conneXtion 2026, NEXFest brought together over 100 members under 40 for a full day of learning, collaboration, and building genuine connections. 

The momentum carried over from last year’s inaugural event, which was structured around focused education and essential networking. A key component was the Town Hall session, featuring CEO Eric Bernstein and other CCA Global Partners leadership. This direct engagement opportunity allowed attendees to share on-the-ground insights and participate in a candid exchange with the executive team. 

The core of the experience focused on interactive Solution Rooms. These weren’t standard lectures, but collaborative spaces made to tackle real-world business challenges. Organizers expanded this year’s program to include 13 different options divided into Foundational and Strategic tracks. Attendees could choose the path most relevant to their current professional objectives, whether they sought to master core principles or delve into complex business strategies. 

Standout sessions addressed immediate industry needs. “The Gen Z Playbook” offered practical advice on designing onboarding experiences to attract and keep younger talent. Another popular session, “Snap, Shoot, Share,” focused on strategic marketing, teaching attendees how to capture better photos and videos to boost social media engagement. 

The afternoon shifted focus to peer-to-peer networking. These sessions enabled leaders to exchange best practices on critical topics, demonstrating that the best advice often comes from those facing the same daily challenges. The retreat wrapped up with a festival-themed evening networking event that celebrated the community spirit of the group. 

Frank Santaniello, Vice President of Member Services and NEX40 leader, emphasized the value of these gatherings. 

“This event is a unique opportunity for our under-40 members to come together, learn from each other, and share solutions that help them thrive in their businesses,” Santaniello said. “The collaboration and ideas exchanged here are invaluable for shaping the future of our industry.” 

Attendees echoed the sentiment in the room. “The NEX40 group represents the future of this industry,” said Colin Franey, a NEX40 Council member and representative of Franey’s Carpet One Floor and Home in Visalia, California. “Participation is more than activities and socializing; it is about each person saying, ‘I want to learn, I want to grow, and I want to lead.’ While we represent the future, my experience with this group proves our time is now—we are ready.” 

Beyond professional development, the event also supported a worthy cause. A portion of every registration fee was donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, reinforcing the group’s commitment to giving back to the broader community. As the industry evolves, events like NEXFest ensure that emerging leaders have the tools and network they need to succeed.