GOOD NEWS: Despite the sagging economy, a collapsed housing market and virtually all economic indicators in negative territory, many convention centers and visitor bureaus are reporting strong hotel room-night bookings for events to be held in 2009 and beyond. That indicates there are convention planners who feel the current recession will be gone next year or at least will have softened. At the top of the list is Washington, D.C., with 3.4 million future group room nights, followed by Atlanta with 2.8 million. Third is Seattle with 1.2 million and then Philadelphia, 760,000; St. Louis, 554,240; Baltimore, 451,608, and Houston, 435,383. America’s Mart in Atlanta should have a great year, and its rug markets should post solid numbers.

NOT SO GOOD: The Labor Department reported that wholesale prices increased in July by 1.2%, the highest annual rate in 27 years. For the 12 months ended in July, the increase was 9.8%, the largest since a 10.4% boost in June of 1981. The surge in the Producer Price Index (PPI) was attributed in large part to higher energy costs. Crude oil prices doubled in the 12 months through July, but have since fallen nearly 30% from their peak. The so-called core PPI number, which excludes food and energy prices, rose by .7%—more than the .2% increase analysts had expected. The irony of the oil crisis is that with Americans traveling less and deliberately using less gas and forcing prices down, the oil-producing countries are mulling over cutting the oil supply to shore up prices.

PRETTY BAD: American workers’ confidence in the job market is as low as it was during the 2001 recession, according to a survey by Rutgers University’s John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. Asked if this is a bad time to find a quality job, 65% said it was, matching the level of the 2001 recession. Unemployment is at its highest level in years and workers are worried. The survey found one third of workers said they often don’t have enough money to make ends meet. About one third of respondents said the amount they owe on credit cards exceeds their retirement savings and only half said they are working the number of hours they want to work, 18% were working more hours and 14% fewer. Still, 91% say they are “very” or “somewhat satisfied” with their jobs; 62% like their health and retirement benefits, and 74% like their annual income. So, it’s not all bad.

CONTEST OPEN: Carpet Design Awards will be featured at the next Domotex Hannover, which runs from Jan. 17 to 20, 2009. Exhibitors at the event are eligible to enter the competition for innovative design, quality and creativity in handmade carpets. The entries will be judged in 10 categories by a panel of seven professionals from Europe and the United States. Total prize money for the 10 first-place winners is 10,000 euros, which is just under $15,000. Last year, there were 148 entries from 15 countries. The deadline is Nov. 5 and to get the terms and conditions of participation, plus an application, go to www.domotex.de/cda.

MOVIN’ UP: As of Sept. 2, the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) has 64 companies exhibiting at its convention Oct. 29 & 30 at the Renaissance Hotel in Chicago. And the list is growing. NAFCD also has partnered with APPI, “power purchasers,” to assist members in managing and reducing utility bills, such as electric and telephone. The association encourages its members to let APPI’s experienced staff review current bills and discuss options to reduce costs. It’s a win-win. Call APPI at 800.520.6685; if it works for you, fine—if it doesn’t, Fuggeddaboudit.