With purchases up double digits since the start of the new fiscal year in October and the launch of several new key initiatives at IDG’s winter Summit in Las Vegas in the days prior to Surfaces, 2008 is already poised to be a year of growth. With new members joining on a monthly basis, IDG and its lucrative luxury market will continue to grow in 2008. “Our membership has never been more powerful, and on a daily basis we’re continuing to attract some of the best and the brightest in the luxury floorcovering market,” said President Krista Eliason.

With an all time high of over $400 million in retail sales in 2007, IDG and its members have continued to show growth in a diminishing economy. The focus of this year’s Summit was to build on that growth and evaluate new opportunities and industry best practices that can be leveraged collectively by the group. IDG members will utilize the following to propel their businesses to new levels of success and ensure growth in 2008:

214 new exclusives added to their coveted Louis A. Dabbieri Collection including the recently launched line of Dabbieri Custom Rugs, new exclusives in hard surfaces including leather and of course the new 2008 Dabbieri core. Current Dabbieri styles can be viewed on www.dabbiericollection.com.

Member Best Practices as presented by 4 key members; Dale Miller, Austin Fine Floors, Barbara Schottenfeld, Floors Beautiful, David Truett, Truett Fine Carpets and Rugs and Ron Alleger, M. Austin Designer Floors. These members had growth of 20-77% over the past year and are leaders in their markets and in the Guild.

A new comprehensive local marketing initiative to help stores in all markets effectively reach their target customer.

Individual Business Analysis Assessments to be delivered to each showroom in the next few weeks by IDG’s internal business expert.

The launch of their 2008 Designer Showcase Awards.

New enhancements and opportunities with their coveted Premier Professional Program- designer loyalty program.

In addition to the fabulous opportunities presented at convention, members learned that the IDG will host their summer convention in St. John Virgin Islands. The trip will be included and all-inclusive for those new members who have been approved from January 1st- May 15th 2008.

Membership in IDG is offered on an exclusive basis to those showrooms whose primary focus and product offerings focus on the luxury market. Potential members must also have a desire and focus on continuing to develop and foster growth in their organization and they must be willing to share their ideas and benefit from the group’s knowledge. IDG showrooms are focused on the recession proof luxury market and will generally have four times the selection of a normal carpet store. They offer a particularly wide range of wool carpets, decorative and speciality products, including hard surfaces.

To discover more about the benefits International Design Guild offers to it’s members go to www.design-guild.com. In addition you can view part of the exquisite Dabbieri Collection at www.dabbiericollection.com.