SHOW TIME: Some important things happened at Surfaces 2006 that added to the total success of the show. The Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF) held its annual board of directors meeting and elected Keith Campbell chairman. He succeeds Larry Nagle, who completed his two-year term in the post, during which time there were significant increases in recipients and fund raising—both at the highest levels ever. Campbell, chairman of Mannington Mills, had been an FCIF director and a longtime supporter of the Foundation.

He chaired the 50/50 raffle committee that organized and conducted the promotion at Surfaces, which was very successful and contributed needed funds to the cause.

HOWARD’S WAY: A luncheon was held during Surfaces in honor of Howard Olansky’s 50 years of service to our industry. Actually, it was a roast of the California Comet, the Duke from Dubuque (his city of origin), who would only allow the function to be held if the proceeds went to the FCIF. That’s Howard’s Way. Compassion and generosity are his calling cards and benign involvement is his business. The roasters took him to task, affectionately, of course, delighting the diners, who were there to pay homage to the industry icon for his monumental contributions through the years. Phil Johnson of National Floor Trends masterfully emceed the program that included roasters Chris Davis, Keith Campbell, Jim Walker and Jim Gould. Matt Spieler delivered the few barbs I prepared. The sell-out crowd was a fitting tribute to Olansky, a windfall for the FCIF and a job well done for Johnson.

NEW VIEW: Floor Covering News unveiled our new-ly designed booth at Surfaces to launch the celebration of our 20th anniversary in May of this year. During the three days of the show, we held periodic drawings for 20 portable DVD players to commemorate our 20 years of service to the industry. Our booth was a beehive of activity throughout the show: the DVD drawings, our columnists were on hand to talk with retailers and answer questions, our staff spent time there greeting and meeting people, and a record number of retailers stopped by to cast ballots in our Award of Excellence competition. Incidentally, votes may still be cast until midnight, Feb. 28, by e-mail, fax or post. Winners will be announced in a March issue of FCNews.

HEADWAY: Armstrong seems to be moving forward in its effort to emerge from its Chapter 11. Judge Robreno of the U.S. District Court indicated he would approve a proposed order scheduling a hearing on or about May 23 to consider confirmation of a modified plan of reorganization to be filed by Armstrong on or before Feb. 21. This latest move has a fair chance of success since the modification embraces all the necessary changes needed for court approval. The red tape and technicalities that paralyze our courts are time consuming and costly—to the litigants. It’s time for tort reform. It seems that tort stands for torture and our lawmakers should stop talking about it and act.

THANK GODDIN: The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) has appointed Lesley Goddin editor of its TileLetter magazine. She is abundantly qualified for the position with her knowledge and experience and she will do a great job for the association. I’ve known her for about 25 years, as an editor with Modern Floor Coverings and then in the public relations department of BASF. She is skilled and diligent and will surely be an asset to NTCA and its publication. My heartiest congratulations.