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Special Report

All Around Atlanta

Attending an industry trade show often requires leaving the exhibit hall.

by Howard Shingle

Not all of the activity associated with the International Window Coverings Expo last March took place on the exhibit hall floor. Throughout the three-day event, running March 27 to 29 in Atlanta, GA, numerous special events, receptions and all-out parties were held as might be expected when the industry gathers. On the Friday before the show opened the Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) held its annual breakfast and seminar program. This year, Jo Ann Brezette, Speaking of Windows, Carmel, IN, was awarded the 1999 WCAA Industry Achievement Award. The award is presented to a company or individual in recognition of outstanding contributions and service to the retail window coverings industry. On the same program was featured speaker Karla Nielson, Education Affiliate ASID, author and assistant professor of design at Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. Nielson, a regular columnist for D&WC and instructor of WCAA's Certified Window Treatment Consultant program, spoke on making a difference in the world as we approach the new millennium. That afternoon, the Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) held a presentation ceremony for winners of its annual Product Innovation Awards. A particularly vocal group from Levolor Home Fashions was on hand to applaud its winning entries. Levolor was singled out for Safety Innovation of the Year for incorporating cordless technology across several product lines. Hunter Douglas Window Fashions was a big winner, taking awards in several product categories in addition to Product of the Year Award (Beyond Woods[TM] hardwood blinds) and Honorable Mention (Duette® EasyView[TM] moveable arch). For a complete list of winners see D&WC, April 1999, page 20. Friday ended with a reception for exhibitors held by Expo producers Messe Frankfurt, Inc. and Window Fashions magazine. Once things got into full swing on Saturday, a non-stop schedule of after-hours events awaited the truly adventurous. Kirsch held a wine tasting to introduce its new Raymond Waites collection, which included the opportunity to meet Waites himself. In an unusual turn of events, Springs Window Fashions Division did not exhibit at this year's show, but held an off-site reception for its fabricators, customers and invited guests at the nearby Omni Hotel. Prestige Window Fashions held a cocktail party the same night at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, and Hunter Douglas hosted a reception at the elegant 191 Club. DraperyPro, the on-line e-mail network, held a dinner for its members, many of whom know each other only through e-mail until such opportunities to meet face-to-face. The dinner was held at Harrigan's restaurant. The evening's official agenda ended with a party hosted by Chromagraphic Processing at Mick's Underground in one of Atlanta's popular historical areas. Neither the show nor the receptions ended on Sunday this year. Following Sunday's exhibit hours, a cocktail reception was held by RollEase, Inc.