CRI Annual Conference Slated

Dalton, GA, Oct. 2--The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) will convene its annual conference at the Northwest Georgia Trade & Convention Center on Friday, October 24. The conference will begin at 11 a.m. following a meeting of the CRI board of directors and will feature U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) as the luncheon speaker at noon. This year's conference will also be highlighted by a trio of speakers who will provide insight into three of the industry's most compelling current issues--sustainability, international trade and health. Carol Browner, former Environmental Protection Agency administrator during the Clinton Administration, will be the featured speaker during the afternoon session. Browner will focus on how sustainability is good for the bottom line during her 3 p.m. talk. Browner is currently a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute's Program of Energy, the Environment, and the Economy. Michael Colopy, a foreign policy specialist and renowned expert on trade in China, will open the afternoon discussion in a 1 p.m. talk centering on International Issues. Colopy is the President and co-founder of International Commerce Consultants Incorporated (ICCI). Colopy is widely recognized as one of the authoritative figures on China Trade Policy. Dr. Holly Atkinson will be next up with a session titled "Changing the paradigm on carpet and health" set to begin at 2 p.m. Dr. Atkinson has over 20 years' experience in medical information and education, including both continuing medical education and consumer education. Dr. Atkinson is the editor of HealthNews, the consumer newsletter of the Massachusetts Medical Society, publisher of the New England Journal of Medicine. "Our annual meeting is always an exciting time for us, but we are particularly pleased to have been able to put together this agenda. It will provide our members with a knowledgeable perspective into some of the key issues surrounding the industry today." said CRI president Werner Braun. "We are especially pleased Senator Chambliss found time in his busy schedule to be with us and look forward to his viewpoint on the current happenings in Washington. We expect this year's meeting will be well-attended." Senator Chambliss has emerged as one of Washington's leaders during his political career which began with his election to Congress in 1994. He currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Border Security, Immigration and Citizenship and also chairs the Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel. Continuing the work he began in the House, Chambliss serves on the Select Committee on Intelligence, Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and the Senate Rules and Administration Committee. A reception to meet the speakers will follow at 4 p.m. The conference is free and open to the public; however, registration is required. Those interested in attending can get information by visiting the CRI website at www.carpet-rug.com or by contacting Sally Fortenberry at CRI at 706-428-2108 or 1-800-882-8846 ext. 2108. The deadline for registration is October 15.