By Deirdra Watson
In a landmark move, the Floorcovering Institute of Ontario (FIO) has reinvented itself, becoming a full-blown, national not-for-profit industry association. It is now known as the Canadian Flooring Cleaning and Restoration Association (CFCRA).
“The CFCRA is being built to engage, inspire and strengthen our industries through services, best practices and industry-specific events,” says Jason Walker, association president. He adds, all sectors of the floorcovering industry will benefit from having a single national association focused on moving them forward positively and professionally.
The driving objective behind creation of the CFCRA was forming a national industry association accountable to its members; there was no accountability factor written into the main objectives of the old FIO in its original charter. That group was formed originally to increase consumer awareness of flooring, and establish standards for trade professionals.
Walker describes this transformation as the next logical step in a long evolution. The FIO began as a small, local Toronto industry group in 1962. In 1993, it expanded into a province-wide body when the Ontario Professional Carpet Cleaners Association joined the FIO, forming the institute’s certified carpet and fabric care division.
Walker notes that the CFCRA, as a national association, will be better able to advocate for policies that strengthen the entire floorcovering industry.
Showing that it is more relevant and modern, the new CFCRA is already active on social media. The CFCRA says through its new website, a Twitter feed and LinkedIn presence, the association will be a powerful educational voice for trade professionals and consumers alike.
The Canadian Flooring Cleaning and Restoration Association is Canada’s newest national trade association addressing the needs of the flooring, cleaning & restoration industry in Canada. CFCRA offers our members an opportunity for leadership, camaraderie, networking and professional development with seminars on topics of interest to the industry, with an aim to provide our members a platform to foster a standard of excellence in the industry. We are offering seminars in September, October and November of 2015, check out our website at www.cfcra.ca for more details.