Let’s take your basic Vegas trip for example.  According to HowStuffWorks 80% of new first-time visitors go to a casino slot machine and over 70% of reacurring casino visitors do the same.  Why?  In most cases they find dealers and players intimidating at the tables.  So the drop of a coin and pull of the handle or a push of a button avoids it.  It’s only a nickel, a dime, a quarter… so who cares right?  That’s exactly what casinos bank on and that is exactly what many of us carelessly don’t think about because it’s just a little thing.

A raindrop by itself is easily considered not a big deal.  But raindrops by the hundreds, thousands, hundreds-of-thousands, millions, billions or how Google was named (by the numeral one followed by one hundred zeros) causes floods, hurricanes, mudslides and many natural disasters.  It’s not the size but more the numbers that makes the difference.

So what is the point of all this blah, blah, blah about numbers and rain?  The answer isn’t “can’t.”  The answer isn’t even the use of the word ”can’t.”  The miracle question is “How?” 

Each one of us is a raindrop and we each contribute to the use of energy and environment.  Here are just a few simple energy and money saving tips whether you rent or own commercial/residential property that you can implement today:

1) Air dry dishes rather then using your dishwasher drying cycle feature.
2) If you know you are leaving a room and won’t be returning in a few minutes turn things off like the computer, monitor, TV and other entertainment systems.
3) Plug TVs and DVD players into a power strip. When not in use turn the strip or the devises off.  (Even in standy-by-mode they still use several watts of power and suck-up energy usage costing you more money)
4) Lower your thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees Farenheit
5) Use low flow shower heads
6) When you run the dishwasher or wash clothes only run full loads
7) Make sure windows and doors are closed when cooling or heating

The U.S. Census says we have 315, 351, 430 in the U.S. population and 7,006,616,775 worldwide.  That’s a lot of raindrops that can conserve energy if we all work together.  What else can all of us accomplish if we work together?

In a previous blog under the Contests section we announced a dealer contest at the Surfaces 2012 trade show at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in viva Las Vegas, NV.  Dealers at the show could visit our booth and enter into a drawing to win a trip for two to Rome, Italy.  The motivation for the trip was to promote our newest collection Villa Caprisi with an Italian inspired design using brushed European Oak.

Talk is cheap and people want to see it to believe it right?  So here you go.  This is the winner of our Win a Trip to Italy drawing at the Surfaces 2012 trades show:

Shawn Zand of Best Floor from Anaheim, CA

Congratulations to Shawn Zand of Best Floor from Anaheim, CA for being the lucky winner of our Trip for Two to Italy at the Surfaces 2012 Expo!

So you see, people really do win these “thingies” called contests.  Who knows maybe you’re next!  Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and our website for the latest and the greatest.

Tweet: @urbanfloor
Like: /urbanfloor
Site: www.urbanfloor.com

Ron Call, "Your Urbanfloor Guy" Host & Spokesperson

At this years Surfaces 2012 Expo held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV we will be introducing you to Ron Call “Your Urbanfloor Guy.”  Ron will be making his appearance at the show on Wednesday the 25th from 8am-5pm.   Which is also the same day we announce the winner of our Win a Trip for Two to Italy for one of our lucky dealers that enter our drawing during the show.  Full details HERE

Over the last few months we have been producing a series of educational how-to videos that include Care & Maintenance, Installation, Product Tours and general advice on when it comes to hardwood flooring.  Ron Call is our company host, spokesperson and industry expert that you see appearing on Urbanfloor Media that is in ongoing development.  See our YouTube Channel HERE 

In addition we are developing an “Ask Ron” page on our blog site.  This is going to be an excellent way to get in touch with Ron directly and get advice, ask technical questions no matter how complex or simple they maybe.  Ron knows best.

So you may be thinking who is this Ron guy anyway?

Originally from Boston, Massachusetts Ron Call comes from a military family background.  He has lived all over the U.S. as his family was stationed to various bases.  He settled in San Diego County in 1974 and hasn’t left since.

His humble beginning in the flooring industry started at age 18 as an apprentice in 1978.  Today Ron is a recognized leader amongst his peers and clients throughout the industry.  34 years later Ron is an expert in all floor covering products specializing in hardwood installation and refinishing and the owner of the very successful business named Harmony Flooring based out of San Diego serving the entire southern California region.  Harmony Flooring’s motto “Music for your feet” stems from the fact that Ron is not only a topflight professional contractor but a world class musician as well.

Ron is a songwriter and plays multiple instruments including harmonica, guitar and bass.  When he isn’t laying down floors he is passionate about music and enjoys his free time as one of the members of the power trio “V Child.”  Ron has recorded and played with numerous Grammy winners and Grammy nominees and is no stranger to the limelight.  When asked what propels him in his remarkable life his answer is always his beautiful wife and two children.  We’re proud to introduce you to Ron Call, our Urban Floor Guy.

Look for our Villa Caprisi display at the show.

The big Surfaces 2012 trade show is upon us  and we would like to invite all dealers to visit us at the show.  Our newest collection, Villa Caprisi is a fine European Oak with Italian design inspiration.  And that inspiration inspired us to create this trip to Rome. The tagline for Villa Caprisi is “A Touch of Italy at Your Feet” and now…  a touch of Italy will literally be at someone’s feet for one lucky winner and their guest.

During the show we are offering our Urban Floor dealers a chance to win a free round trip to Rome, Italy.  The trip includes 5 nights at  a first class hotel and airfare for two people.  This “topnotch” trip has a value close to $5,000 with the winner being selected during the show.

To enter, the dealer needs to register at the Urbanfloor booth, #B3239 – Floor B,  in the Bayside Hall.  We’re in a 50′ x 50′ space. You can’t miss us.  A map of the show floor plan with our location is available: here

Make sure you read the official rules and Qualifications below.

For further details, visit our booth at Surfaces or call your representative.

Win a Free Trip to Italy for Two

Official Rules & General Information:

To Qualify: Every order placed at Surfaces (minimum 1 full pallet required for entry) gets an automatic entry. In addition every pallet order placed and paid in full at surfaces will get an additional entry (1 additional entry per pallet). Entrant fills out an entry form which will then be placed into the drawing box. On Wednesday January 25^th 2012 at 4:00 pm the winning entry form will be drawn by an independent agent. Winner must be present.  If potential winner is not present at time of drawing an alternative drawing will be made. (A two minute claim time will be allowed.) Winning entry is subject to verification by proper photo identification.

Terms & Conditions: Entry constitutes permission to use winner’s name, likeness, photographs & testimonials for promotional purposes including posting of such information on sponsors Website. Sponsors are not responsible for damaged, late, illegible, incomplete or misdirected entries. Entry constitutes agreement to hold the sponsors & their affiliated entities, employees, agents harmless; from physical injury, damages, liabilities, losses & expenses arising out of this give away. Applicable taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winner.