Shaw Industries Group, Inc. (Shaw) is a finalist in the Technology Association of Georgia’s (TAG) 2015 Excalibur Awards for Most Creative Solution. TAG, the state’s leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia’s technology industry, developed the awards to recognize Georgia’s most innovative tech-enabled companies and organizations.
Shaw Floors, the residential division of Shaw Industries, developed the FloorvanaTM app to improve the flooring selection experience for consumers and to support the thousands of retailers who sell Shaw’s products.
“These LEED certifications are a testament to Shaw’s holistic approach to sustainability. We are focused on designing and operating our facilities to minimize environmental impact and maintain ongoing comfort and efficiency,” said Paul Murray, vice president of sustainability and environmental affairs at Shaw.
“Our research showed that the vast majority of consumers shop for flooring with a point of inspiration, whether a color they want to match from a fabric, another flooring sample or possibly a room image on Houzz or Pinterest. The Floorvana app helps flooring retailers provide great service by connecting directly to products that bring customers’ inspirations to life,” said Kathy Young, vice president, residential marketing services.
With the Floorvana app, a consumer can upload a photo of the room in which the flooring would go, or a photo of a fabric in or the room or another inspirational image. Once a photo is uploaded to Floorvana, consumers can instantly create a color palette, and find color selections across all flooring categories to match. They can also save and share their favorites along the way.
Launched in January of this year, Shaw introduced a customized dealer version mid-year,creating an even more effective in-store and shop-at-home selling tool for retailers. Branded with the retailers’ store name and featuring only the products and style names it sells, Floorvana is a “showroom in your pocket” with proven success in improving the shopping experience for consumers and the satisfaction and/or conversion rate with retailers.
“We’re committed to develop innovations to take our retailers to the next level and especially reach their customers in new and exciting ways,” said Misty Hodge, Shaw’s director of digital platforms, residential marketing. “We continue to employ technology to improve how people shop for flooring and how they customize their home as an expression of who they are. I’m proud to work with such a creative and innovative team.”
Shaw was selected from among more than 60 applications submitted by companies and organizations from across Georgia. Winners are selected from among the finalists and will be officially recognized at the 2015 Excalibur Awards ceremony on October 23, 2015 at the Georgia Aquarium.
“We are truly pleased to honor the recipients of the 2015 Excalibur Awards,” said Tino Mantella, president & CEO of TAG. “This year’s competition was fierce, as we had our largest and best group of entrees since our event’s origin. We believe celebrating these tech-enabled companies and organizations strengthens our message of Georgia’s emerging position as a national leader in technology.”
The Annual Excalibur Awards celebrates Georgia companies and organizations that demonstrate the best use of technology, typically provided by a third-party, to solve complex issues and processes in business and education. Tech-enabled companies that develop their own non-commercial technology solutions to enhance their organization are also consideredfor the awards, which are presented by TAG in collaboration with the Business and Technology Alliance of TAG (B&TA).
About The Technology Association of Georgia
TAG is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 30,000 members through regional chapters in Metro Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon/Middle Georgia, and Savannah. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy.
The association provides networking and educational programs; celebrates Georgia’s technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. TAG hosts over 200 events each year and serves as an umbrella organization for 34 professional societies. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG’s charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive.
For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG’s community website at www.hubga.com.