GOOD MOVE: Coverings 2007 was moved to Chicago from Orlando, Fla., and attendance jumped to nearly 37,000, an 8% increase over last year. The four-day event, which will alternate annually between the two cities, had its sharpest spike in the turnout of architects and designers, which was up a whopping 87%. Held at McCormick Place Convention Center, almost half—49%—of the turnout acknowledged they were first-time Coverings attendees. And another interesting twist unfolded: a shift in regional patterns—more people than ever before came from the East North Central, Mountain and Pacific West states. So, traffic not only grew 8% but it diversified and attracted significant numbers from states previously low in attendance. Retail visitors were up 17%, contractors up 22%, stone distributors up nearly 8%. Next year back to Orlando from April 29 to May 2 at the Orange County Convention Center.

KEYNOTER: Randy Merritt, president of Shaw Industries, will deliver the keynote address at the 2007 N.C. Sustainability Awards & Conference, sponsored by Sustainable North Carolina (SNC), which will be held on Oct. 22 in Chapel Hill. In its sixth year, the awards have become a prestigious honor for “organizations that have taken on the challenge of integrating social responsibility and environmental stewardship into their strategy and operations.” During Merritt’s tenure at Shaw, the company has initiated hundreds of environmental strategies that have positive ecological, economic and social impacts. Collectively, these initiatives are known as the Shaw Green Edge, which demonstrates an investment in long-term solutions that build toward a completely cradle-to-cradle company in the future. Shaw has received the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

WINNER: Karastan has been recognized by House & Garden magazine as a leading source for carpets and rugs in three categories: best wall-to-wall carpet, best range of carpet and rug styles, and best traditional carpet and rugs. The annual survey recognizes the top home product brands chosen by an unprecedented 20,000 decorators, architects and kitchen and bath professionals voting on 14 different categories of products. Said David Duncan, Karastan’s vice president of marketing: “The recognition we received from these outstanding designers is the ultimate reward. It identifies Karastan as a brand driven by exceptional talent and forward thinkers who can anticipate consumers’ buying trends and keep our customers steps ahead.”

DOG TALES: Carpet One Floor & Home embarked on a search for the “dirtiest, messiest and most rambunctious pets from throughout the United States and Canada.” Dog owners submitted candid photos of their dirty and carefree canines, each vying to be chosen North America’s Muddiest Buddy and Lees carpet spokes-pet. The winner is Bob, a yellow Labrador Retriever from Santa Ana, Calif., and he will be featured in national and local advertising with the message: Relax, it’s…Lees. Of course, the carpet is effectively stain resistant, and Bob delivers that message. Carpet One then parlayed the promotion and published a coffee table book, a slick, colorful, heart-warming compendium of the cutest pooches this side of dog heaven. Called The Muddiest Buddies, a collection of North America’s dirtiest pets, it sells for $14.99 in the U.S. and $17.99 in Canada. The book will delight the reader, promote Carpet One, support the Lees program, and 15% of the sales will go to two pet-friendly charities. Funds raised in the U.S, will go to the American Humane Association and money raised in Canada will go to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. Everybody wins. For more information, visit CarpetOne.com.