ATLANTA— Beaulieu of America will once again occupy one of the largest pieces of real estate on the Surfaces show floor. But to get dealers in the mood as well as for those who will not be making the journey to the industry’s only national trade market, Beaulieu took the show to them with its Bliss Winter Market tour.

Bliss markets were taking place in numerous locations this month, including Dallas, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Minneapolis and Michigan. Dealers from across the Southeast got a sneak peek on Jan. 15 and 16 in Atlanta at the Cobb Galleria.

The two-day Atlanta event saw about 250 retailers visit with the Beaulieu Bliss team. “We’re off to a good start with the showing we’re having here in Atlanta,” observed Jeff Meadows, executive vice president for Beaulieu.

Patricia Flavin, Beaulieu’s senior vice president of marketing, reported all the new additions for 2009 to the Bliss brand were on display. Garnering the most interest among the new items was Flirtation, designed for sophisticated tastes and trend-setting design sense and coming in 10 carpet styles representing 288 SKUs.

“Several dealers saw the advantages in the edgier look of Flirtation as a nice complement to more classic styles represented in the Bliss line,” she added.

Also shown was the updated edition of Bliss Healthy Home with Beaulieu’s soft polyester and antibacterial protection Silver Release with the addition of zinc.

Overall, Flavin noted, “The breadth of selection combined with the Bliss simplified shopping system was seen as a big advantage.”

Knowing the economy is tough and people are having a hard time buying nice things for their families, she said Beaulieu spiced up the event with a blissful incentive. The company gave away dozens of 32-inch flat screen TVs and free carpet displays to dealers who ordered 10 or more rolls of Bliss carpet at the show.

Based on how the success of this and the other Bliss shows, Meadows concluded “We’re definitely looking forward to Surfaces.”