Chicago—Citing a concern for the health of its members and guests, the National Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) has rescheduled its annual meeting to Sept. 5 to 7 at the Westin Hotel Michigan Avenue here. It had been scheduled to take place in Toronto from Oct. 17 to 20 but, with the outbreak of SARS still making headlines and no cure in sight for the immediate future, the organization felt it was in the best interests of everyone associated with the event to change the convention’s host city. “While we had planned on Toronto and worked out a great agenda,” said David Rowe, NAFCD’s president, “we had to make a decision that was in the best interest of our membership’s health and welfare. “Chicago is also a great meeting location,” he continued, “and attendees can be assured they will receive the same high quality programming and networking they’ve come to expect from NAFCD.” NAFCD’s 32nd Annual Meeting,

“Leaders Meeting Leaders,” promises to be just as good as the event’s original setting since the main sessions of the three-day convention have remained the same. Headlining the event will be a first for NAFCD as the association has gathered the top executives from four major floor covering manufacturers for a panel discussion on the “State of the Industry.” The panel features, in alphabetical order: Tom Davis, president and CEO of Mannington Mills; Chan Galbato, president and CEO of Armstrong World Industries’ flooring operations; Roger Marcus, president and CEO of Congoleum Corp., and Ulf Mattsson, president and CEO of Domco Tarkett. Mariann Gregory, NAFCD’s executive director, said the interactive session will give attendees a chance to hear first-hand about the industry’s future.

Anther attraction for this year’s participants will be the keynote speaker, Rocky Blier. Best known for his days as a running back as a member of the four-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, Blier is more than a legendary athlete. “His life story is a gripping tale of courage,” NAFCD noted. After being wounded in Vietnam, Blier was told he would never walk again. Not only did he prove the doctors wrong, he went on to the Steelers and became one of the premier running backs in the NFL. The lessons he learned on the playing field, in combat and the long road to recovery will be highlighted to inspire attendees to overcome the challenges they face every day and to strive for even greater accomplishments.

In today’s fast paced, ever-changing society the need to stay one-step ahead has become even greater in the business world. Gray Bradt, author of the best-selling book, “Who Moved My Cheese?” will discuss with attendees how change affects organizations and individuals, and the importance of staying ahead of the curve. Using metaphors from his book, he will encourage listeners to enter the “maze” in search of “new cheese.” In other words, to proactively pursue what is important and let go of what is not.

With technology affecting every aspect of business Andrew Seybold’s seminar on “Using Technology To Increase The Productivity Of Your Mobile Workforce.” As editor-in-chief of Forbes/Andrew Seybold’s Wireless Outlook, he is recognized internationally as a driving force behind the development and growth of wireless communication and mobile computing.

Finally, Carl Cullota and Sam Shapiro of Frank Lynn & Associates will present concrete information on channel economics in the flooring industry. This session is a culmination of NAFCD’s Channel Economics study and will feature industry specific channel economics issues, examples, implications and solutions. The study examines the changes occurring or likely to occur within the industry and helps to create a road map by which participants can address this business issue. For additional information, contact NAFCD at 312/321-6836.