Surfaces 2010, set for Feb. 1-4 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, is set to help exhibitors and attendees alike with the addition of several new pavilions, audience-specific General Sessions, and On-Floor Education Events.

Kicking off the four-day event is the show’s opening General Session, “Facing Challenges and Winning: A Retail Power Panel,” featuring seven retail executives who will present several methods retailers can stay profitable and build their businesses. This retailer-focused General Session, scheduled to open the show 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 2, will feature a panel of top executives sharing their experiences and advice. The session will include: Steve Silverman, president of Abbey Carpet; Vinnie Virga, president of Flooring America; Jeff Macco, president of the National Floorcovering Alliance; Jeanne Matson, president and ceo of Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring Partnership; Bruce Weber, founder and ceo of American Home Surfaces Group; Scott Perron, president of Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet; and Ron Dunn, co-ceo of CarpetsPlus/Color Tile. Gerri Willis, CNN financial correspondent, will moderate the event.

The New Product Showcase (known last year as the New Product Pavilion) will offer showgoers a sneak peek at some of the latest products. The themed area in Hall G is sponsored by TILE Magazine and its sister publication, National Floor Trends (NFT) and Floor Covering Installer (FCI).

Also new to the show are the On-Floor Education events. These hour-long presentations/demonstrations are designed to provide an interactive question and answer atmosphere without having to leave the show floor. The On-Floor Education is free to all attendees with exhibits admission. The Business and Technology stage, sponsored by NFT, is set to present several topics, including: WFCA Consumer Study: Understanding the Female Flooring Customer, with Beth Surowiec of Clear Seas Research; and Learn How Retailers Use B2B/EDI for a Competitive Advantage into Your Operation, by Aaron Pirner of CAP Carpet, Wichita, and Pam Bowe, FC B2B executive director.

The Installation stage is sponsored by TILE and FCI. Ray Thompson, Jr., FCI and NFT columnist will present, Moisture Problems Defined and Solved in an Hour, while Jim Walker, Certified Floor Covering Installers (CFI), will demonstrate Carpet Seaming Techniques. Also, on the Installation stage is Donato Pompo of Ceramic Tile And Stone Consultants, Inc. presenting Causes and Preventions of Ceramic Tile and Stone Failures. Sustainability and Design/Trends subjects will be covered on two other stages.

Surfaces will also feature educational courses and events targeted to designers, installers and distributors. Show organizers have planned a Designer Day on Wednesday, Feb. 3. The event will include a keynote luncheon with Kim Myles, host of HGTV’s Myles of Style, a behind the scenes walking tour of the new Encore hotel property in Las Vegas, and a walking tour of Surfaces.

For more information or to register, visit www.surfaces.com.