NewslineVolume IV, Issue 11 - April 18, 2003
Issues BriefingCRI participated in an issues briefing last week coordinated by the American Legislative Exchange Council. The briefing was held in Atlanta for members of the Georgia General Assembly and other interested parties. The focus of the briefing was directed toward greenhouse gas emissions and their relationship to the global warming phenomenon. A number of states are considering possible regulations to reduce standard levels of greenhouse gas emissions in manufacturing and other processes. A Harvard based scientist made a presentation describing the ebb and flow of earth’s temperature over many centuries, explaining quite convincingly that global warming is an ever changing natural occurrence with little relation to greenhouse gas emission levels. CRI then explained how fuel and resource efficiencies in the carpet industry in the last ten years have resulted in significant emission reductions on a voluntary basis. These efficiencies make further regulation, especially in Georgia, an unnecessary and costly proposition. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. CRI Meets with Connecticut LegislatorsJennifer Mendez of CRI traveled to Connecticut in early April to meet with sponsors of pending legislation in Connecticut regarding indoor air quality in schools. The legislation offers CRI the opportunity to work proactively in Connecticut where some of our members have experienced de-selection of carpet by school systems. House Bill 6426, which is very similar to original IAQ legislation CRI introduced at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) last year, is likely to pass during this legislative session. If this happens, it could be helpful to our industry. Contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875.0634. NAM China Working GroupThe second meeting of the National Association of Manufacturers China Working Group was held on April 11. CRI is thus far a participant by conference call. A spreadsheet was developed to address the four areas of primary concern to U.S. manufacturers: 1) Increased Chinese imports of industrial products, 2) Relocation of U.S. manufacturing to China, 3) Protection of Intellectual Property Rights, and 4) Market access. For each specific issue the spreadsheet outlines the principle challenges, possible policy actions, and possible group actions. For example: ISSUE - Protection of I.P. Rights. CRI Addresses Architects, Designers and Facility Managers Regarding IAQAs part of the “Trends & Truths” program organized by two CRI members, Mannington and Dupont, Jennifer Mendez was invited to address architects, designers and facility managers of healthcare facilities. The seminars took place in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. The seminars addressed misperceptions regarding floorcovering systems in healthcare facilities. Jennifer spoke to the groups about indoor air quality as it relates to carpet. She included information about CRI’s Green Label program as well as the benefits of carpet as a floorcovering choice. Several other seminars will be presented around the country during upcoming months. Contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875.0634. Key Messages in Health Care Are Field TestedDr. Steve Phillips of CRI recently accompanied Jonathan Stanley of Mohawk Industries as he called on healthcare architects and designers in Charlotte, North Carolina. CRI’s participation served two purposes. It helped to test our key messages with this target audience to see how they responded. It also helped to fine tune our marketing plan with field experience. The www.carpet-health.org website and the physicians’ video were both very well received. In addition, installation and maintenance were topics of high interest in this audience’s mind. Contact Steve Phillips at 706.428.2115. CRI Marketing Plan – Advertisement 1 in April, 2003 Issue of Pediatrics, Page A15This ad is the second physicians’ publication in which our first advertisement directed at physicians occurs. Two other ads are scheduled to run in 2003 in this journal and several others. These ads are part of our marketing plan to lower the “Asthma and Allergy” barrier. Some of the next steps in lowering the Asthma and Allergy misperception barrier will include: the www.carpet-health.org website; teasers mailed to physicians; a video to be mailed in May; and blast emails to physicians. Contact Steve Phillips at 706.428.2115 CRI Participated in National Green Building ConferenceCRI participated in the 2003 National Green Building Conference held in Baltimore, Maryland, during March 30-April 1. Information on the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) as well as the recently available carpet industry sustainability report covering activities and achievements of 2002 was well received by attendees. Attendees included builders, architects, manufacturers, and local and government officials. Participation in this event was intended to assist in lowering the industry barrier that carpet is not considered sustainable. Contact Louise Dobbs at 706.428.2104. CalendarThe following CRI Meetings are scheduled:
CRI participation in upcoming events:
If you are aware of other events that present significant opportunities to deliver our messages to our critical audiences, please contact Louise Dobbs at 706.428.2104. Check our website calendar for other industry related events |
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