ATLANTA—Nearly 300 people came out for the 11th annual Dalton/Whitfield Legislative Appreciation Reception last month.

Hosted by the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) and Dalton Whitfield Chamber of Commerce at the historic Georgia Railroad Freight Room here, the event included Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, speaker of the house David Ralston, secretary of state Brian Kemp, 90 state representatives and 31 senators, as well as various house and senate staff, and state and local dignitaries.

Normally held on the first day of the Georgia legislative session, the event was delayed a week by the snowstorm that swept through the region in early January.

Each attendee was presented with a card listing important facts about the state’s carpet industry, as well as a traditional Georgia- themed tufted rug that is the industry’s yearly gift to legislators.

During the reception, Werner Braun, CRI’s president, voiced his support for Georgia House Bill 86, which would exempt manufacturers from sales tax on the energy they use in their manufacturing processes. The bill is sponsored by several north Georgia legislators.

For more on CRI, call 706.278.3176.