SPECTACULAR: The 5th annual golf tournament sponsored by CCA Global Partners for the benefit of the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF) was an overwhelming success. The event, held Sept. 20 at the Evergreen Marriot Resort in Stone Mountain, Ga., raised a record amount of money, due in part to the re-dedication of the tournament. Known as the CCA Global Partners/FCIF Charity Golf Event, it was renamed the Alan Greenberg Charity Golf Tournament, honoring its founder who passed away a month earlier. There were 152 golfers on hand to enjoy a day on the course followed by a lavish reception and when it was over, $160,000 was raised for the cause, bringing the five-year total to more than $600,000. A monumental achievement.

THE CAUSE: The FCIF was founded 26 years ago by a few industry executives who cared about those among us who were less fortunate and needed a helping hand. Colleagues who were catastrophically stricken or had to endure a life-altering hardship and lacked the financial resources to cope soon had help and hope. Money is raised through various fundraisers throughout the year and around the country and grant recipients come from all categories and on all levels. Since its inception, the FCIF has distributed more than $2.5 million in grants with compassion, confidentiality and a profound respect for the dignity of the recipient. Get involved and be happy that you’re on the giving end.

LUNA LANDING: The 51-year-old Luna, the in-home carpet seller, this week will move to brick and mortar selling opening stores in Addison, Lake Zurich, Naperville and Wheeling, in the Chicago area. Luna has 150 employees at its Bellwood headquarters and has had $35 million in revenues this year. The company will continue to sell in the home along with its storefront operations. The new stores will vary in size from 4,000 to 5,500 square feet and will feature more than 10,000 carpet selections and 3,000 hardwood and laminate samples. Morrie DeZara is president of Luna and his brother, Steve, is CEO. About 20% of the company’s volume is in hardwood and laminates and Steve DeZara expects that to grow to 50% in the next five years. Luna’s research shows that “70% to 80% of carpet shoppers prefer to go to a store rather than have someone come to their home.” That’s an interesting statistic and the brothers believe it because they intend to have 10 stores in the Chicago area in the next three to five years.

HANG IN: Consumer confidence dropped again in September, the third monthly decline in a row, as they soured on both the present economic situation and expectations for the near future. The Conference Board reported that the overall index, a bellweather for the economy, fell six points. Lynn Franco, consumer research director for the Board, said the September reading was “at its lowest level in nearly two years.” She explained: “Weaker business conditions combined with a less favorable job market continue to cast a cloud over consumers and heighten their sense of uncertainty and concern. Looking ahead, little economic improvement is expected.” This is based on a monthly survey of 5,000 households—maybe they’re just worriers. Hang in.

KUDOS: Tradeshow Week has named Surfaces one of the 50 fastest growing trade shows in North America. The distinction is based on the percentage of growth and the total net square footage growth from 2004 to 2006. The facts: Surfaces grew from 912 exhibiting companies in 455,778 net square feet of space in 2004 to 1,063 exhibitors in 503,106 net square feet in 2006. And Surfaces 2008, which will take place Jan.30 to Feb.1, promises to be the biggest show to date.