Phoenix—Fuse Alliance, the member-owned organization of professional commercial floor covering contractors, kicked off its 2024 conference here amid strong attendance, active participation and information/best practices sharing. It’s in keeping with this year’s conference theme, “Fuse on Fire,” which reflects both the mood and growth of the organization at large.
“We’re thrilled to see the passion and involvement of our members reflected in this year’s conference theme,” said Geoff Gordon, executive director of Fuse Alliance. “With nearly 60% growth in our network since 2020 and a 30% increase in attendance since our 2023 annual conference, Fuse is truly on fire.”
In illustration, Gordon recalled the challenges the group overcame since the start of the pandemic. “The theme really speaks to what we, as a group, went through during a very difficult time,” he told attendees during opening remarks. “Our 2020 spring conference in Palm Springs took place just as the pandemic was taking hold in the U.S. During that time we didn’t know what to do on the job site; we didn’t know what to do in the offices. So we started doing these weekly calls, and I think the true value of the network really came out. As a result, we’ve had other people see what we’re about and want to join the network.”
That desire to be part of a growing group is evident in the numbers. “Back in 2020, Fuse Alliance had about 100 members,” Gordon noted. “Currently we have 171 members representing more than 250 locations. You all survived the pandemic and here we are four years later, stronger than ever. We’re here to help you all improve your businesses and build relationships with our suppliers. At Fuse we’re really all about togetherness and family.”
Day one highlights
The first day of the 2024 Fuse Alliance conference featured a spirted keynote presentation by James M. Benham, a successful, entrepreneur, business person and author who spoke extensively about the importance of fostering innovation, hiring the right people and looking for unique opportunities for contractors to leverage their competitive positions.
He shared the top 10 principles of his latest book, “Be Your Own VC,” which delves into how business owners can build a “bootstrapping” mindset. Benham covered everything from financial responsibility and true profitability—“Cash is king; pay attention to cash flow and don’t became too fixated on ‘vanity metrics’ such as top line revenue growth”—to fortifying your company culture: “Be willing to rewrite your rules in order to adapt and survive, not never compromise on your values.”
Another highlight from day one at the Fuse Alliance was a jam-packed tradeshow, where contractors got a firsthand opportunity to not only see new products but also get advice from their vendor partners on pending projects. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of our vendors,” Gordon said.
(Look for more on the 2024 Fuse Alliance conference in an upcoming edition of Floor Covering News.)