CRI Annual Conference Slated
Former NASA Astronaut, European Carpet Association Head Highlight Agenda

Contact: CRI Communications Department, 706.428.2103

Simon van de Vrande, President European Carpet & Rug Association

Dalton, GA (October 26, 2005) - The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) will convene its annual conference at the Northwest Georgia Trade & Convention Center on Wednesday, November 2, 2005. The conference will begin at 2 p.m. following a meeting of the CRI Board of Directors and will feature Simon van de Vrande, President of the European Carpet & Rug Association as the keynote speaker.

This years conference will also be highlighted by the presence of former NASA astronaut Robert Springer, who flew space missions aboard both the Space Shuttle Discovery and Atlantis prior to his retirement. Springers participation is part of the on-going relationship CRI and NASA have cultivated following the transfer of space technology into the highly successful Seal of Approval X-ray fluorescence (XRF) Testing Program that was launched last month at John F. Kennedy Space Center.

Robert C. Springer (Colonel, USMC, Retired) NASA Astronaut (former)

Obviously we are pleased to have Colonel Springer join us to celebrate our partnership with NASA. His vast experience as an astronaut should add an interesting slant on our meeting, and his perspective on how the same space technology used to ensure successful space missions is now being used to ensure cleaner carpets in the home and business should be enlightening, said CRI president Werner Braun.

Our annual meeting continues to be one of the well- received events we put together, and it offers us a way to provide our members with a knowledgeable perspective into some of the key issues facing the industry today. We are especially excited to have Simon van de Vrande here to give us his insights in the industry from a European perspective, and our discussion panel to close the meeting should only add to his remarks, said Braun.

Kim Gavin, editor for Floor Covering Weekly magazine, will head up a panel to discuss Asias potential impact on the U.S. carpet industry, and shell be joined by Beaulieus Ralph Boe, Dixie Groups Daniel Frierson, Shaw Industrys Vance Bell and Mac Ryland of Kurt Salmon Associates Inc. The panel discussion will immediately follow van de Vrandes address.

The conference is free and open to the public.