NAFCD Announces Moderators for Panel Discussions

CHICAGO – Distributors have the opportunity to know the minds of leaders from all levels of the supply chain at the upcoming National Association of the Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) 33rd Annual Meeting, “The Art of Leadership,” to be held October 8-11, 2004, in Phoenix, Ariz. Not content to simply study the cause and effect situations within distribution, NAFCD has invited leading manufacturers and buying group leaders to present their perspectives at the annual event. To be held Friday, October 8, the first of two panel discussions, “State of the Industry: Viewpoints From Floor Covering Leaders,” features executives from three leading floor covering manufacturers who will offer first-hand observations and forecasts of the industry’s future. This dynamic presentation also will feature a question-and-answer session to be moderated by I. Marshall Kahn, president of Irving Kahn & Son and Mike Klingele, president of Diamond W Floor Covering, Inc. The State of the Industry panel will feature: Dr. Ralph J. Boe, president and COO of Beaulieu Group LLC; Randy Merritt, executive vice president of corporate sales and marketing for Shaw Industries, Inc; and Monte Thornton, president, Mohawk Industries, Inc. These leaders will share their first-hand observations and forecasts of the future of the industry. Additionally, for the first time, NAFCD will showcase a panel discussion with the leaders of three floor covering buying groups. “A Power Channel in the Floor Covering Industry: Buying Group Leaders Panel Discussion” will be held Sunday, October 11, 2004. Distributors can gain inside knowledge of how to form a successful partnership and relationship with retail buying groups. These dynamic leaders will observe how buying groups make their purchasing decisions, what motivates them and much more. This presentation also features a question-and-answer session to be moderated by Jeff Hamar, president of Galleher, Inc., and Arden Kelley, president of Commercial Flooring Distributors. Participants in this panel include: Ron Dunn, founder, president and CEO of CarpetsPlus Color Tile; Sandy Mishkin, co-founder and president of CCA Global Partners; and Steve Silverman, president of Abbey Carpet Co., Inc. The very heart of the NAFCD 33rd Annual Meeting was developed to match the right people in the right place. In connecting leaders from many levels of the industry, the association will offer a unique and informative forum for sharing of ideas. From learning how to turn companies into brand names and developing foresight to planning a secure financial future and forming successful partnerships, the meeting offers interactive sessions with topics that impact how distributors do business. In addition, the meeting has been designed with motivational sessions that will inspire and networking breaks that will encourage attendees to develop stronger business relationships. For more information on the NAFCD 33rd Annual Meeting, contact NAFCD Headquarters, 401 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-4267; 312.321.6836; email: info@nafcd.org or visit the NAFCD Web site at www.nafcd.org

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