Dear Diary,

Another Surfaces in the books. What’s this, No. 14 for me? This time around, we all wondered how much traffic would be off given the state of the economy. I’ve surmised that yes, it was down, probably 5% to 10%, but it’s inconsequential. The exhibitors all seemed pleased. They said they were seeing their best customers. Most said they were doing more business than last year. Many said they weren’t being nickeled and dimed. So in the end, I’m thinking, dear diary, that retailers brought fewer people than in years past and the tire kickers stayed home. Makes the attendance figures seem rather insignificant, no?

Yes, Surfaces always produces its share of memories. I was lunching at the Stage deli with Dustin Aaronson, our national sales manager, on the Tuesday before the show and who do I see sitting to my right? The Lefkowitz twins! Their Hoboken Floors is all but a memory but they’ve moved on to new chapters in their lives—Joel as president of upstart distributor Allstate Flooring, Ira as CEO of Chinese hardwood supplier Ark Floors. The highlight: asking Ira who was distributing his product in the New York metro area. He sheepishly pointed to Joel, noting he’s already trying to squeeze out better pricing.

Speaking of Chinese wood, the first day of the show I found myself in the M. Max Windsor booth. I had to do a double take. There was a guy who looked like Peter Spirer. That’s because it was Peter Spirer! The fashion guru from Horizon has been lured out of retirement (or has finally gotten bored) and reincarnated as a wood guy. He’s basically consulting and talking about national accounts. I think I am going to bet on this horse, dear diary.

Saw Lisa Henson, formerly of Abbey, who flew the coup in 2006 to become executive director of the National Floorcovering Alliance. Told me her former colleague, Keith Spano, was also no longer in the Abbey employ. He bolted to join one of the top retailers in the country, John Millar, at Avalon. Two nights later I saw Spano at the BR-111 bash at Tao. He never looked happier.

By the way, dear diary, that BR-111 shindig has become the event of events. In a year when many manufacturers cut back on functions, it was good to see one pull out all the stops. Host Ricardo Moraes has always known how to put on a show.

Spent some time with two recent “free agents,” John Patterson and Bob Stone. Patterson, most recently vice president of sales and marketing for Scandian, and Stone, for the last 10 years the director of national accounts for Anso, would be strong additions for any company.

Finally, when the show was winding down on Friday I had some time to do some rug shopping for the girlfriend. Found exactly what she was looking for at 828, and they were more than happy to take my money. And I was more than happy that they corrected her wrong size requests. They offer a nice selection.

All in all, dear diary, it will be a Surfaces not soon forgotten.