Newsline

Volume III, Issue 28 - December 20, 2002

The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
In this issue:  

Joseph M. Smrekar Memorial Award Presented

The Carpet and Rug Institute held its 33rd annual meeting at the NorthWest Georgia Trade and Convention Center on November 22. One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentation of the prestigious Joseph M. Smrekar Memorial Award. This award was established by Milliken & Company to honor the late Dr. Joe Smrekar who, through Milliken’s generosity, served on numerous CRI committees. Dr. Joe set “the standard” for service to CRI and the carpet industry. Even though the award was established by Milliken, CRI staff members have chosen the honoree each year. Dan Frierson, Chairman of The Dixie Group, and also Chairman of the Board of The Carpet and Rug Institute, presented the award this year to another very deserving recipient – Jim Jolly, Chairman of the Board of J & J Industries. Mr. Jolly has served as CRI Chairman, CRI Treasurer, as a member of the CRI Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and as a member of numerous other CRI committees. Additionally, he has given very generously of his employees’ time to serve on CRI committees. Congratulations!

Roundtable on Watershed Stewardship

As an associate member of the Northwest Georgia Regional Water Resources Partnership, CRI attended the Roundtable on Watershed Stewardship “From the Forest to the Faucet” held in Rome, Georgia, on November 19. A booth was also set up with information on the industry’s ongoing efforts to conserve the valuable water resources of the Conasauga Watershed. In 1998, leaders of our industry recognized the importance of watershed planning and believed this could best be accomplished through local initiatives, as opposed to state mandates. CRI and a number of member companies are active in this partnership insuring responsible stewardship of the natural resources of the Northwest Georgia area by the carpet manufacturing industry. Contact Louise Dobbs at 706.428.2104..

CRI Attends American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Policy Summit

Jennifer Mendez and John Miller of CRI attended the recent Policy Summit hosted by ALEC in Washington, DC. While at the Summit, Jennifer introduced model legislation regarding Healthy School Environments to ALEC’s Education Task Force. The task force is composed of public sector members that are on the Education Committees in their legislatures as well as private sector members affiliated with educational enterprises. The task force was receptive to the legislation but suggested it be modified and reintroduced as a resolution. Modification will be made to incorporate the suggestions and reintroduced at ALEC’s spring Task Force Summit. Contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875.0634.

B2B Ecommerce Panel Discussion at Surfaces

CRI will be co-sponsoring, along with the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), a panel discussion about a new ecommerce technology called the business-to-business (B2B) standard. This computer software allows buyers and sellers in the floor covering industry to exchange product and order information across the Internet, thus helping companies lower transaction costs and increase efficiency. This informational “how to” session about the implementation of the B2B standard, geared toward retailers considering adopting the technology, will be held at Surfaces, on January 29 at 1 p.m. Room location TBA. For more information, check the B2B website at www.flooringb2bstandard.com. Contact Joan Seelaus at 706.428.2123.

CRI Helps Launch Research Database for Design Community

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and the University of Minnesota joined forces recently to support a three-year project of the InformeDesign web site, an online database of research in the fields of design and human behavior. For more information, read the press releases on the ASID and University of Minnesota websites. Contact CRI Issues Communications Department at 706.428.2103 or 800.882.8846, ext. 2103.

CRI Lends Support to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

In an effort to address the facet of sustainability relative to social responsibility, one of the barriers identified by CRI’s Board of Directors, Jennifer Mendez has begun discussions with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). As part of a joint effort, in early 2003 CRI will begin posting a java banner which will feature rotating photos of missing children, provide a link to the NCMEC web site from the CRI site, and offer information on how our members and visitors to our web site can work with the NCMEC. Contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875.0634.

New Associate Member

The newest associate member of CRI is Scot Laboratories. We are pleased to have Scot Laboratories, a developer and supplier of cleaning solutions, as an associate member. For contact information on Scot Laboratories, or any other member of CRI, visit the Member Listings section of the CRI web site.

Conference Scheduled on Recycling of Fibrous Textile and Carpet Waste

The Eighth Annual Conference on Recycling of Fibrous Textile and Carpet Waste will be held in Dalton, May 12-13, 2003. The Conference is sponsored by Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P2AD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and organized by the Georgia Institute of Technology. Registration fee is $250. There is no extra charge for tabletop displays. For more information and paper submission, phone 404.894.7551.

Meetings

The following CRI Meetings are scheduled:

  • Commercial Caucus, January 24, 2003, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Issues Communications Committee, February 20, 2003, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

CRI participation in upcoming events:

  • National Green Building Conference, March 2003, Baltimore, Maryland
Check our website calendar for other industry related events

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