ATLANTA—With the economic recovery still a ways off staying connected with peers, suppliers and customers can go a long way to help survive sliding too far down.

To help the rug industry, AmericasMart, home of the International Atlanta Area Rug Market, has launched its first social networking initiative with the debut of blog.americasmart.com.

Officials said the site is one of the first, most advanced market/tradeshow blogs offered to retailers, manufacturers and reps, designers and others affiliated with the home, gift, area rug and apparel/accessories industries.

Chas Sydney, senior vice president of floor covering and new business development, said the blog gives the trade industry an exclusive inside look at AmericasMart and a forum for exhibitors, retailers and designers to network and share ideas.

He added the site will be updated daily.