conneXtion 2026 Delivers Prescriptive Strategies to Guide Success in Today’s Flooring Retail Market
Jan 15th 2026
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 [amount] 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.
