Atlanta Flooring Design Centers Hosts FCICA 2 Days to CIM Training Event and Regional Meeting in Suwanee, GA

FCICA is excited to share it held a 2 Days to CIM training event and a Regional Meeting in Suwanee, GA. FCICA member Atlanta Flooring Design Centers  (AFDC), served as the host and sponsor of 2 Days to CIM Suwanee, Wednesday and Thursday, February 4 - 5, followed by the Regional Meeting Suwanee, a one-day educational and networking event Friday, February 6.

19 flooring professionals participated in the 2 Days to CIM training to become newly designated CIMs – Certified Installation Managers. Program mentor, Don Styka, CIM, Tarkett led the accelerated and intensive instruction. 2 Days to CIM Suwanee, an in-person training, provided a supportive group learning experience and professional camaraderie. At the conclusion of the first day of training, Fishman Flooring Solutions invited the candidates to a local restaurant for dinner and socializing. Thereafter, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers invited everyone to a Gladiator hockey game. 

FCICA is pleased to congratulate its 19 newest CIMs. The following professionals completed their Certified Installation Manager (CIM) training:

Isabel Angle, Nexus Flooring

Robert Cook, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers

Wes Coye, Nexus Flooring

Tammy Drake, Milliken & Company

Darya Foursa, FlorTech

Cristian Godoy, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers

Robert Hann, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers

David Hasting, DeSoto Floor Covering & Interiors

Jeannie Homer, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers

Troy Homesley, Nexus Flooring

Jeff Johnson, Protect All Flooring

Tom McGee, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers

Kyle Moffitt, DeSoto Floor Covering & Interiors

Derry Questell, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers

Jason Reich, Nexus Flooring

Daniel Rice, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers

Steven Rivers, DeSoto Floor Covering & Interiors

Blake Spivey, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers

Robert Sullivan, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers

The Certified Installation Manager (CIM) Program, the only certification program available for floor covering installation project managers, sets the industry standard for those involved in the management of commercial flooring projects. The Program provides video training modules led by experts who speak from years of floor covering experience. Paired with assessments, the modules enhance the qualified flooring professional’s core skill set, experience and knowledge base necessary to successfully manage commercial flooring projects. Individuals who reach this level of expertise will be easily distinguished by their Certified Installation Manager (CIM) designation. Launched in 2015, this certification program has graduated over 500 installation managers.

Regional Meeting Suwanee

The Regional Meeting Suwanee followed the CIM training. 40 commercial flooring contractors, distributors and manufacturers convened for this one-day event featuring four educational sessions with networking in between.  

Friday's program opened with a welcome from Donny Phillips, President, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers (AFDC). Donny shared information about AFDC's history and their commitment to floor covering education. Thereafter, attendees learned about FCICA, member benefits and how it serves the commercial flooring industry through training and certification. The schedule included the following education sessions:

Maintenance on Residential and Commercial Flooring

Presented by Jeff Rous, Manager, Floor & Upholstery Cleaning Division and Lawrence Lee, Flooring Maintenance Technician, Atlanta Flooring Design Centers

The AFDC Cleaning Division team explained and demonstrated maintenance procedures for residential and commercial flooring. They reviewed different carpet cleaning methods, approved by the CRI, as well as cleaning methods for the following hard surfaces - wood, vinyl, VCT tile and natural stone flooring. The presentation included preventative maintenance as well as restorative maintenance procedures on all surfaces.

Choosing the Right Adhesive

Presented by Sonny Callaham, Technical Director, Divergent Adhesives

Choosing the right adhesive isn’t always simply based on the product category of the flooring. Many factors can dictate which adhesive to choose. Sonny covered moisture limits, rolling load resistance, environments and other details that are critical in making the correct choice.

Discussion on Substrates

Presented by David Goddard, Technical Sales Representative, Uzin Utz

In this session, surface prep and substrate issues and their impact on tile production and installation were discussed. The session was an open discussion format focused on support and sharing installation stories and solutions.

Grout Options and How to Choose the Correct One for Your Installation

Presented by Greg Figueroa Application Manager and David Stephens, Technical Service Manager, Custom Building Products

The Custom Building Products team discussed various grout types including premixed, cement-based and epoxy grouts – and how to determine which is the proper choice for each tile installation. Once the proper grout was determined, they shared tips to ensure a successful tile install.

FCICA is very grateful to Atlanta Flooring Design Centers for hosting and underwriting these events and to their staff for their generous support, time and commitment to FCICA, the CIM Program and our regional outreach efforts via the Regional Meetings. Their leadership team was instrumental in the coordination of the CIM training and Regional Meeting. Their facility provided the ideal space for the CIM candidates to learn as well as host 40 Regional Meeting attendees. And a special thank you to the education session presenters for sharing their knowledge and expertise. FCICA also extends its thanks to Fishman Flooring Solutions for underwriting an evening event for the CIM Candidates and thank you to Custom Building Products for sponsoring/underwriting Friday's Regional Meeting lunch. We are grateful for their generosity.  

FCICA initiated the regional meetings to connect with contractors and flooring professionals on a local level to provide learning opportunities, networking and share how to leverage membership benefits. The meetings are part of the organization's regional outreach efforts to engage current members and introduce the association to nonmembers.

The Regional Meeting Suwanee is the 10th such meeting FCICA has held. Previous regional meetings were held in 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).

FCICA will hold additional 2 Days to CIM training sessions and Regional Meetings. If you are interested in participating or hosting one of these events at your facility, please contact Catherine Church, FCICA Executive Director.

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