Description

FCICA Regional Meeting Stockton, CA - Friday, March 20, 2026

FCICA is hosting a regional event offering education and networking for commercial flooring contractors in Stockton, GA, hosted by ARDEX Americas. 

Pre-registration is required. Registration is now open for this FREE event. 

Commercial flooring contractors are invited to meet in-person at Atlanta Flooring Design Centers' Suwanee head quarters on Friday, March 20, 2026 for a one-day event, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm PT.

The event will provide an opportunity for commercial flooring contractors to network, discuss industry topics, learn from one another and hear how they can leverage FCICA member benefits to advance training, certification and business development. 

Thank you to our event host and sponsor ARDEX Americas.

Location

ARDEX Americas

2612 Station Drive

Stockton, CA 95215

Regional Meeting Stockton Event Schedule * Friday, March 20, 2026

8:15 - 8:45 AM - Lite Breakfast

8:45 - 9:00 AM - Welcome - FCICA and ARDEX Introductions

9:00 - 9:45 AM - ARDEX Americas Tour

9:45 - 10:00 AM - Networking Break

10:00 - 11:00 AM - Education Session: Ceramic Tile in the Commercial Environment presented by Terry Hall, CIM, Technical Field Representative, ARDEX Americas

Ceramic tile has long been a cornerstone of commercial construction, evolving from traditional fired‑clay products into today’s highly engineered surfaces designed for strength, durability, and design versatility. This presentation explores how modern tile technologies such as advanced porcelain formulations, digital printing and large‑format manufacturing, have transformed both performance and aesthetics in commercial spaces. We’ll review where tile excels in demanding environments, how installation standards have progressed alongside product innovations, and the critical considerations needed for long‑term success, including substrate preparation, movement accommodation, environmental conditions and proper material selection. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how tile has advanced over time and what it takes to ensure reliable, high‑performance installations in today’s commercial settings.

11:00 - 12:00 PM - Education Session: Your Margin Bucket Has Leaks presented by Scott McDonald, CIM, President, Lansing Tile & Mosaic 

Maintaining a healthy gross margin throughout the life of a commercial flooring project has become increasingly challenging. It only takes a few major leaks — or a series of smaller ones — to turn a profitable job into a drain on company resources. From the standpoint of installation management and project execution, Scott will identify today’s most common sources of gross margin erosion during a commercial flooring project. He will break down the Top 5 margin leaks in detail and share practical best practices to plug them — helping you protect and maximize project profitability.

12:00 - 1:00 PM - Lunch / Networking Break

1:00 - 2:00 PM - Education Session: Flooring Failures and Independent Inspections presented by Roland Vierra, Principal, Flooring Forensics  

Floors are never as simple as they appear; neither are floor failures. Through the lens of a few recent inspections, Roland Vierra review the inspection process, reviewing different types of failure mechanisms as well as the methodology for discovery and analysis. A structured, repeatable approach to the inspection/investigation of any failure (residential or commercial) is a critical component of success. Roland will explain the methodology of data collection and pitfalls one can encounter on the way to discovering a cause for the failure as well as formulating a conclusion.

2:00 - 3:00 PM - Education Session:  Moisture Basics – How and Why Does it Move presented by Don Jewell, Head of Technical, Loba-Wakol, LLC 

Moisture remains the number one cause of flooring failure yet we are often confused or surprised by it. We will discuss the basics of moisture movement - how it moves through substrates, flooring and the environment. The goal is to enhance our understanding of the nature of moisture and be better prepared to address on the jobsite or at the least be less surprised by it.

Recommended Hotel 

* Attendees are responsible for their lodging and travel. 

Registration - If you are a commercial flooring contractor and you would like to attend, registration is FREE and open to both members and nonmembers of FCICA. Please register by 5 pm, Wednesday, March 18.  

The Regional Meeting Stockton is the 11th such meeting FCICA has held. Previous regional meetings were held in Suwanee, GA (February 2026); Atlanta, GA (August 2025); Florence, AL (December 2024); Carlstadt, NJ (April 2024); Stockton, CA (February 2024); Baltimore, MD (October 2023); Suwanee, GA (August 2023); Wayland, MI (November 2022); Baltimore, MD (May 2022); and Atlanta, GA (April 2021). The meetings are part of FCICA’s regional outreach efforts to engage current members and introduce the association to nonmembers.

Are you a Certified Installation Manager (CIM)? Earn continuing education credit (CEU) toward your CIM renewal requirements by attending FCICA events. Visit www.fcica.com/CIM for more information.