July 16, 2013—Kevin Malkiewicz, VP of Leasing for AmericasMart, and Kemp Harr, discuss the summer Rug Market held last week in Atlanta. Listen to the interview to hear about a few of the trends in fashion as well as how the consumer shops for rugs.
July 15, 2013—Ralph Boe and Mike McAllister, Co-CEO and Director of Marketing (respectively) with Beaulieu of America, and Kemp Harr, discuss the Indulgence Consumer sweepstakes promotion which runs from July 1 to the end of September. Listen to the interview to hear more about this promotion which is targeted at consumers and to retailers. Ralph also talks about current market conditions.
July 12, 2013—Vern Yip, celebrity designer for HGTV and a business owner in Atlanta, and Kemp Harr, talk about Yip's upcoming role as the keynote speaker at the FloorTek Expo this fall. Listen to the interview to hear about the topics Yip will address at the Expo and trends he is seeing in flooring.
July 10, 2013—Bob Weiner, Owner of Totally Enterprises, and Kemp Harr, discuss the launch of Totally Carpet, a new carpet mill and carpet brand focused on servicing the contract interiors market. Listen to the interview to hear Bob talk about his motivation to launch this brand and its unique fit as a service oriented offering to the Architect and Interior Design (A&D) market.
July 9, 2013—Bob Peoples, Executive Director with CARE, and Kemp Harr, discuss the recently published annual report on AB 2398 (the recycling legislation in California) which gives an accounting on how well the program is working. Listen to the interview to hear more about carpet consumption numbers and other details about the program.
July 3, 2013—Scott Perron, President of Big Bob's, and Kemp Harr, discuss the franchise group of independent flooring retailers' 20th annual convention held last week in Kansas City. Listen to the interview to hear more about the health of the membership and about their new store concept.
July 2, 2013—Todd van der Kruik, VP of Design for Bentley, and Kemp Harr, discuss Bentley's brand focus and NeoCon launch. Listen to the interview to hear more about the decisions that are being made to revitalize this renewed brand and also hear a little about Todd's past experience.
July 1, 2013—Kennedy Frierson, COO With the Dixie Group, and Kemp Harr, discuss Dixie's new Avant Contract brand. Listen to the interview to hear more about this new bold contract brand that will focus primarily on the commercial office sector with mostly modular carpet using an Artisan theme. The new brand's website is www.avantcontract.com
June 27, 2913—Bob Plann, a principal with Resource Arizona, and Kemp Harr, discuss NeoCon but focus on NeoCant, an event that he hosts every year for those designers and end-users in Arizona that can't make the trip to Chicago. Listen to the interview to hear more details about this event scheduled for tonight in Phoenix.
June 26, 2013—John Stephens VP of Marketing with Shaw Contract Group and Kemp Harr, discuss a few points about Neocon but focus most of this interview on Shaw's expanded global presence. Listen to the interview to hear an informative discussion about whether design aesthetics can work in a global marketplace across all regions. Also hear John give a quick update on their Design Is contest.