ISFANews
ISFA Wraps Up Year with Successful Virtual Annual Conference ISFA held its 2020 Annual Conference Nov.
Speakers and presenters included a variety of
demonstrated
because of safety concerns regarding travel.
ideas. Laura Juarez, countertop industry
commitment to
4 and 5 online this year in a virtual format Although this was the first time ISFA had
put on an online conference, feedback from the nearly100 registered participants was resoundingly positive.
The full two-day event included numerous
educational sessions and networking events, along with video sessions showcasing new products, its annual member meeting and
veteran and founder of Pure Potential, spoke
the ideals of ISFA.
the current and changing times and how
past ISFA Awards,
Stephen Alberts, of HeyRemodelers,
an inspiration to all
Online Marketing” and “Reimagining Lead
repeatedly given
on “Reimagining Strategy” in the face of
Having won several
to improve the strategic planning process.
Russ Berry is truly
spoke in two sessions on “Reimagining
fabricators. He has
Generation,” covering SEO, online ads and
award presentations, and much more.
reviews, website optimization and using Google
Designed with both interactive portions as
book Innovate To Dominate, which reframes
well as prerecorded information, the unique
format allowed industry professionals to talk, share ideas, participate in presentations, ask
questions of presenters, and have both formal and informal discussions. The results from the 2020 ISFA Board of Directors Election were announced at the event. Participants also
received interactivity boxes in advance of the
event that contained various items that helped
to further the connection between participants. “This was an opportunity for businesspeople
and professionals in all areas of the surfacing industry to learn and share ideas as well as
to your advantage. Mark Dancer, author of the the term “innovation” and provides research
of his time and
expertise to ISFA
and its members,
and his approach to
business, along with
into what leading companies are doing to
on “Reimagining Innovation.” His presentation
the fabrication community through showcasing
marketplaces are altering the way that business
high-end and highly visible projects. Berry has
develop businesses for the long term, spoke
all others. Russ’s work at ASST has elevated
focused on the changing world in which virtual
solid surface design capability in complex
is conducted, and he offered ideas on how real-
world businesses could reimagine their purpose around today’s business values and social
trends, and innovate for competitive market advantage.
ISFA Annual Award Winners Announced At the Annual Conference, ISFA announced the
people in the industry came together in this
are chosen by association members, and given
accustom to, and were able to spend some
very best.
Nancy Busch. “Some of the best and brightest
2020 ISFA Awards winners. The ISFA awards
new virtual world that we are all growing
to those in the industry that stand out as the
networking.”
Russ Berry, of ASST in McSherrytown, Pa., was inducted into the ISFA Hall of Fame.
his innovative creativity, sets him apart from
best practices,” said ISFA Executive Director
productive time together learning and
leadership and
individuals all focused on reimagine-centric
Past ISFA President Russ Berry, of ASST in
McSherrytown, Pa., was inducted into the ISFA
With the huge changes we have had to
Hall of Fame, joining a long list of esteemed
was “Reimagining,” which was represented
is given to the individual who has, in the course
presentations and educational sessions.
to the decorative surfacing industry, and has
face in 2020, the theme of the conference
industry professionals. The Hall of Fame Award
not just in the new online format, but in the
of his/her career, made significant contributions
served as a past ISFA President, has hosted
ISFA events, and he serves as a fine example to the entire industry.
The other honored winners are: The Fabricator of the Year Award was given to world-class fabricator The Countertop
Factory Midwest in Chicago. The Fabricator of the Year is awarded to a fabricator
member company that in the past year has best exemplified the ISFA ideals of quality,
innovation, character and exemplary service to ISFA and/or the decorative surfacing industry,
with overall excellence. The Countertop Factory Midwest is a company that is known for its generous support and mentorship of other
fabricators in the industry. Owners Geoffrey
Gran and Bill Heuer are always willing to share their knowledge and expertise around sales, fabrication and general business. They are
International Surface Fabricators Association • Vol. 13 / Issue 4 • 35
