NewslineVolume V, Issue 3 - February 6, 2004The Carpet and Rug Institute news for industry executives
In This Issue: Bulletin - Iraq Reconstruction Meeting CalledAn announcement was issued to CRI this morning by Lawrence J. Brill, Director of the Market Expansion Division for the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) regarding a significant product export initiative set forth by President Bush. An Iraq Reconstruction meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. in the U.S. Department of Commerce auditorium in Washington D.C. CRI will attend this meeting as part of other scheduled meetings that day. CRI members and/or their representatives are encouraged to attend as well. Major opportunities may now exist for contract and hospitality textiles, carpets, floor coverings, wall coverings and modular housing systems and components. Furniture for both residential and contract/hospitality use is also a subject of this initiative. The primary meeting will end at noon, however, afterwards OTEXA will hold a short discussion on specific options for textiles, carpet and related products. The timing and market conditions appear to be optimal for the promotion of these products, and planning to take advantage of sales opportunities in Iraq should begin as soon as possible. Additional information will likely be available in the next few days. If you have questions or would like a copy of the draft agenda, contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. Free Trade Talks ContinueNegotiators for the U.S. and Australia continue to work out the details of a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. Most of the subjects under consideration have been satisfactorily resolved on both sides. Certain agriculture, investment and service sector provisions continue to be discussed. Textile and apparel issues have been thoroughly discussed and are thought to be in order. Industrial tariff issues and levels have been determined. The details and any drafts of specific provisions are strictly confidential at this stage and are available only to the officials involved in the negotiations and cleared industry advisors. The next 24 to 48 hours are critical in determining the success of the negotiations and the fate of the Agreement. More specific information will be available as soon as its release has been approved. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. CRI Visits Georgia Congressional Delegation in Washington D.C.CRI hosted a reception this week for the Georgia delegation of the U.S. Congress. In spite of the ricin scare in the senate buildings, the event -- held at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill -- was well attended. The following Congressional Representatives were in attendance: Mac Collins (8th), Nathan Deal (10th), Johnny Isakson (6th), Jack Kingston (1st), Denise Majette (4th) and Charlie Norwood (9th). Senator Saxby Chambliss attended as well. While in the capital, CRI Preisdent Werner Braun met individually with Congressmen Isakson, Deal, Norwood, and Kingston, and representatives from Congresswoman Majette's office, to share the industry's success story regarding sustainability, as well as its contribution to the Georgia economy. Mr. Braun also acknowledged the appropriations for the cement kiln study and planted the seed for additional appropriations for clinical studies. Contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875.0634. World Carpet and Rug Council Holds First Meeting
Contact Joan Seelaus at 706.428.2123. CARE Receives "Environmentally Friendly Website Award"
Videos Translated into Spanish, FrenchThe CRI-produced videos that were distributed last year to over 30,000 asthma physicians and school administrators have been reproduced by our counterparts in Mexico and Canada. Jean-Claude Carisse, the Executive Director of the Canadian Carpet Institute, headed up the French translation and said it has gotten rave reviews in his country. Alfredo Aboumrad of Tamsa, SA de CV, headed up the Spanish translation for distribution in Mexico. Contact James Beach at 706.428.2116. View the videos on CRI's website www.carpet-health.org InformeDesign Celebrates Major Milestone: First AnniversaryInformeDesign, an online database of research in the fields of design and human behavior, celebrates its one-year anniversary. Created by the University of Minnesota and sponsored by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the project has made available over 500 research summaries to approximately 3,000 designers, architects, educators and students who have registered to use the database. CRI was one of four founding contributors to this online resource, which is freely available to the public. Contact Barbara Day at 706.428.2138. Visit the InformeDesign website Boral Material Technologies Inc. Joins CRIWelcome to our newest associate member, Boral Material Technologies Inc. Their primary business is Coal Fly Ash as a functional filter. For contact information on Boral Material Technologies Inc., or any other CRI member, visit the CRI website. See a list of CRI's Member Companies Werner Braun Participates in Panel Discussions at Surfaces
Mr. Braun also gave a well-received presentation to a group of nearly 50 attendees during a session entitled "Residential Carpet Styling & Design Trends for 2004 and Beyond." Braun was joined by Solutia's Christine Whittemore and Catherine Minervini of the design firm Bentley Prince Street. Braun's presentation focused on carpet's trend for a better environment, both externally (globally) and internally (in homes and commercial facilities). Contact James Beach at 706.428.2116. Braun Makes Presentations to Sales ForcesCRI President Werner Braun gave a presentation to the Beaulieu Sales staff while at Surfaces. CRI recognizes such presentations are a win-win situation because they disseminate information which helps individual representatives make more sales as well as allow the industry greater market penetration. If you would like to schedule Werner to do similar presentations, please contact James Beach at 706.428.2116. Register Now for the March 2004 CRI Issues ConferenceCRI members -- If you haven't done so already, register now for the first annual CRI Issues Conference, to be held March 10 and 11 at the Evergreen Marriott Conference Center in Stone Mountain, Georgia. We look forward to your participation at this important event, where the Technical, Government, and Market/Communications Committees will come together to work collaboratively on CRI's advocacy efforts. Contact Barbra Wilson at 706.428.2125. CRI Meetings* Board of Directors, February 12, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., CRI Boardroom CRI Participation in Upcoming Events* MTS (The Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability) Sustainable
Textiles Standard Meeting, February 25-26, Naples, Florida 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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The
inaugural meeting of the fledgling World Carpet and Rug Council (WCRC) was held
during Surfaces and included delegates from China, Australia, Canada, Europe,
Japan, New Zealand, Mexico and the U.S. The mission of the WCRC, whose members
consist of CRI and its counterpart trade associations in other countries, is
to collaborate on areas of common interest to facilitate the growth of the carpet
industry worldwide and regionally. The next meeting will be in March, 2005 in
Shanghai, China, to coincide with Domotex East.
CRI
President Werner Braun joined USGBC Chairman of the Board James Hatzfeld as
well as Bill Freeman from the Resilient Floor Institute and Ed Dorczak of the
Wood Floor Association in a panel discussion about the green movement in the
building industry. The event, titled "Going Green To Make More Green"
and sponsored by National Floor Trends Magazine, attracted nearly 60 people.