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Special Report

The activities did not stop when the exhibit floor closed.

Each night, once the lights dimmed on the Window Coverings Expo at the Baltimore Convention Center last March, a host of after-hours activities began. Industry suppliers popped the corks on champaign and let the food and music flow at receptions and parties held at the convention center, surrounding hotels, well-known nightspots and even a historic landmark. Friday, the show's first full day, was the choice for most receptions. Levolor Home Fashions and Kirsch started it off with champaign, hors d'oeuvres and a classical chamber quartet. The reception was held at the companies' booths right on the show floor about a half-hour after the exhibits closed for the evening. A few blocks away, Hunter Douglas Window Fashions held its reception at the elegant Harbor Court Hotel. President and CEO Marv Hopkins was presented an award by Sandy Bird, executive vice president of Habitat for Humanity International, in appreciation of the company's efforts in working with organization. Springs Window Fashions Div. chose the historic B & O Railroad Museum for the site of its cocktail party. Customers and guests were invited to mingle among locomotive engines and a caboose or two in the former roundhouse for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. Tables and chairs were set up on the actual roundhouse turntable. Ending the evening was a late-night bash held by Chromagraphic Processing Co. at Baltimore's Hard Rock Cafe. Hot hors d'oeuvres, drinks and plenty of rock and roll were served up among the restaurant's music memorabilia. Saturday night certainly wasn't ignored. Comfortex Corp. held a large reception for members of its Composer program featuring international cuisine. The reception was held at the Omni Inner Harbor Hotel, the show's host hotel. Pre-show activities also were scheduled. The Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) was host for its annual breakfast meeting Friday morning. It presented an Industry Achievement award to Rowley Co. Seabrook Wallcoverings Inc. held a press breakfast at its booth later the same morning.

After the exhibits closed, the activities began. Kirsch and Levolor Home Fashions hosted a champaign and hors d'oeuvres reception at their booths.