AmericasMart Atlanta

Press Release

January’s Atanta International Area Rug Market Showcased Industry’s Most Significant Design Achievements

January 25, 2006

Opening of the Armenian Odyssey, America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards and MOI: Museum of Introductionssm Highlighted 2006’s Market

ATLANTA (January 2006)—From a marketplace born of innovation and imagination came the January edition of the Atlanta International Area Rug Market® featuring the National Oriental Rug Show (NORS).

January’s Market showcased the world’s largest permanent collection of area rugs. From antiques to power-loomed creations—retailers from around the globe discovered more new product—in every style and price point—and more exclusive product introductions than any other wholesale offering.

January’s Market also saw the triumphant return of AMERICASMART’s MOI: Museum of Introductionssm. An industry exclusive, MOI is the product signature exhibition of the Atlanta International Area Rug Market—featuring a dynamic array of area rug introductions from the world’s leading floor covering designers and manufacturers.

And, from MOI came the much-anticipated return of America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards, the “Academy Awards® of the Area Rug Industry”, and long considered the industry’s most coveted honor.

The Awards—held on Saturday, January 21 in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis to a standing-room only crowd—more than 1,300 retailer and exhibitor customers strong—was for the 3rd year propelled to even higher levels of distinction as Architectural Digest served as the program’s exclusive sponsor.

This year’s event—the most spectacular in its history—was a provocative, lavish celebration staged amid visually dramatic, electrifying décor and complemented by performances by nationally-renowned illusionists, Joseph Gabriel and Dave Thomas. Jane Robelot, former CBS Morning News anchor and Atlanta resident, served as the evening’s emcee.

The 2006 America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards winners and judges’ comments follow:

Handmade $0—$12 (per square foot): Surya
“neutral coloring…very transitional…works in a contemporary, as well as a traditional setting”

Power-Loomed $0—200: Marcella Fine Rugs
“for the value a clear winner, a lot of bang for your buck…sellable…scaled down to size nicely”

Handmade $12.01—$23 (per sq. foot): Jaipur Rugs
“hearty construction…cutting-edge colors…classic Persian design but in a more affordable price point”

Power-Loomed $201—400: Loloi Rugs
“beautiful detail…a very substantial rug for the price…incredible value…it’s got a great feel to it”

Handmade $23.01—$35 (per sq. foot): Safavieh Rugs
“we appreciated the richness of the tones…very luxurious looking…subtle use of the carving technique”

Power-Loomed $401—1000: Miresco Decorative Rugs
“a great looking rug…looks almost handmade…loved how they finished it off with what looks like hand tied fringes”

Handmade $35.01—$46 (per sq. foot): Lawrence of La Brea
“soft colors are new and fresh…love the scale…different from anything else out there”

Power-Loomed $1001+: Nourison Powerloom
“excellent coloration…the play of darks and lights is exciting…transitional design”

Handmade $46.01—$56 (per sq. foot): Neman
“for the price its one of the best looking antique reproductions…like everything about it…never goes out of fashion”

Handmade $56.01—$65 (per sq. foot): Togar
“the green and persimmon colors are innovative…nice border…the same muted colors of the background and border”

Handmade $65.01+ (per sq. foot): Mastour Galleries
“the pale blues and pale chocolates are right on…looks like an antique angora luchak”

Antique: Looms of Persia
“beautiful statement…very nice example of a true antique…the plant forms are very handsome and the animals have an attitude”

Best Contemporary Design: Sphinx by Oriental Weavers
“the strong and dramatic use of color is amazing…the technique of blending all these colors is original and unique”

Best Rug by Retailer Vote/Buyer’s Choice: Loloi Rugs

Judging for America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards was conducted by Christy Dillard, Dillard Design; John Eric Riis, Tapestry expert; and Allan Arthur, Allan Arthur Oriental Rugs.

Also honored were showrooms and temporary exhibits judged superior in the increasingly high profile Visual Display Awards Program, which celebrates extraordinary visual merchandising innovations. The January 2006 Visual Display Awards winners are: Mohawk Select, 3rd floor; Miresco, 4th floor; Marcella Fine Rugs and Momeni, 5th floor; and Amici Imports, 6th floor.

For more information on AMERICASMART-ATLANTA and its annual markets, please call 1-800-ATL-MART or visit the AMERICASMART web site at AmericasMart.com.

AMERICASMART-ATLANTA is the largest wholesale marketplace of its kind in the world, and is a leading international market source for a wide variety of consumer goods. It hosts 23 wholesale markets and six Market Wednesdays that annually attract more than 548,000 attendees from every U.S. state and 80 countries.

Retailers attending its markets identify AMERICASMART as the gift/home furnishings/area rug wholesale marketplace most important to their business—as compared to all competing U.S. wholesale markets—in independent research conducted by Moore & Symons, Inc.

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