Home renovations are a significant investment, and industry groups regularly stress how important it is for homeowners to research
both the product and service provider before they dive in. That’s why Gaylord Hardwood Flooring of Tweed, ON, is proud to be recognized by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders' Association (GOHBA) with a SAMMY Award for Best Industry Partner Showroom – the fifth time in six years that the company has won the award. The SAMMY Awards, named after a play on the acronym for sales and marketing, recognize “excellence in both product and service, not only to the public, but to the industry members within the Greater Ottawa region,” said Marietta D’Alessio of Sun Media Ottawa, chair of the GOHBA Sales and Marketing Committee.
Making it easy for customers to see the difference
"We know how hard it is to envision how something looks with a dinky sample on a rack," said Greg Gaylord, Sales Manager at Gaylord Hardwood Flooring. "Our showroom lets you experience it, and really showcases both our expertise and the quality of our flooring." The
Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation recently reported that 38 percent of Canadian homeowners intend to do renovations over the next year, with new flooring cited as one of the most popular upgrades. “Demand for hardwood is higher than carpet,” Gaylord said, noting that people prefer hardwood for its classic style, easy maintenance, and because it’s a great choice for people who have allergies. “However,” Gaylord notes, “not all wood choices have the same value. Different types of hardwood and different wood finishes can impact durability and lifespan. We want people to see the quality our floors offer so they can be confident about their decision.”
Gaylord Hardwood Flooring a winner
There are 32 different SAMMY awards that celebrate sales achievement, marketing achievement, the best model homes of each property type, the best community, the best environmental model, the industry partner of the year, and the best sales and marketing campaign as a whole. Judges of the Best Industry Partner Showroom evaluated entries using a number of criteria, including:
- overall continuity of all elements used in the sales centre/showroom,
- ability to characterize the lifestyle of the target market, and
- ability to communicate information to the prospective buyers.
Consideration was also given to landscaping, signage, displays, model home merchandising and best use of available space in the sales office. Having previously won the same award in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, a recent renovation put Gaylord Hardwood Flooring back on top. Founded in 1985, the company is known for the length of their hardwood flooring – the longest in the business – and the 40-year guarantee on their ten-coat titanium wood finish.
