The area rug industry comes together at one time and in one place with new product introductions and an merchandise selection setting the stage for the January 2013 Atlanta International Area Rug Market featuring the National Oriental Rug Show. The market runs Jan. 10-13 (Jan. 10 hours from 4-8 p.m.) and promises to deliver an even more dynamic array of area rugs and carpets as new companies join the mix and established showrooms introduce even more extensive collections in refreshed, expanded showrooms.

Highlighting the Market’s rich and growing product mix will be the celebrated America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards. Presented by AmericasMart in partnership with sponsors Sandow Media and the Oriental Rug Importers Association (ORIA), the Awards celebrate the triumph of design achievement and overall excellence. The 2013 Awards promise new features, elements and staging, all designed to showcase the 13 select rug awards and three Retailer of the Year recognitions. The Friday, January 11 event at the Georgia Aquarium is open to all Market attendees. The celebration begins at 6:00 p.m. with shuttle services providing convenient access from AmericasMart Building 1.

Rug and home buyers attending the January market will discover a new experience in sourcing product. AmericasMart is integrating home furnishings and home accents with area rugs in Building 1 to facilitate buyers’ changing needs. Four Hands, a leader in lifestyle home furnishings, will be on Floor 4 of Building 1 – a floor formerly exclusively dedicated to area rugs. The shift is part of a move to create product collections and destination resources better suited to fit the way retailers shop. Throughout Floor 4, new and existing showrooms are expanding to be able to present more complete collections of rugs and complementary furniture and home accents.

Safavieh has added a 3,000-square-foot space across the aisle from its current 13,000-square-foot Floor 5 showroom to present its line of home furnishings. On the same floor, Amer has more than doubled to 6,000 square feet.

Surya, the renowned area rug and home furnishings company, expanded and relocated to Floor 11 in Building 1, which was classically a home furnishings floor. The move enables Surya to show its entire line of home accents in addition to its Area Rugs. Buyers can shop the full selection of Surya products Jan. 9-16 and throughout the year Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m..

“We are excited about the dynamics of Building 1,” says Dave Savula, executive vice president of leasing, AmericasMart. “These changes are designed to help buyers. We understand retailers present integrated home and rug products in their stores, and designers need to source complete collections, so we’re creating destination locations to easily see as much merchandise as possible.”

As the preferred destination for area rug buyers, AmericasMart continues to present the most comprehensive collection of handmade, machine-made, new and antique rugs in permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits. Continued growth by many manufacturers underscores Atlanta as the place the rug business does business.

Karastan, is growing to more than 7,000 square feet on Floor 3. And, Concepts International returns to AmericasMart with a 1,200-square-foot showroom. Also on Floor 3, Kaleen, with its highly styled machine- and handmade rugs, doubled its showroom space to more than 6,000 square feet.

“This expansion allows Kaleen a stylish and elegant, yet fully functional setting for our ever-expanding product assortment,” says Joe Barkley, executive vice president of Kaleen. “The objective is to provide our guests with a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere to view Kaleen products under the best conditions possible. We think AmericasMart’s home focus will help us as well.”

Aminco, Inc., with more than 50 years’ experience in Oriental carpet, is returning to Floor 4 after an absence and Home Accents Alliance has a new showroom on Floor 5. Home and More has taken a space on Floor 3.

January brings a diverse mix of temporary exhibitors, with a broad range of products, to Floor 2 of Building 1.

As part of a full slate of educational and networking opportunities, Kenneth Brown of HGTV’s reDesign presents “Decorating from Top to Bottom” at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 11. Brown will teach how rugs can kick start design and how he’s incorporated rugs in designing celebrity homes. The seminar will be on Floor 4, Building 1, showroom D-8.

Other key events:

Thursday, Jan. 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Museum of Introductions (MOI) Gallery

The rug and home industry’s exclusive showing of new product introductions in a sophisticated museum setting.
Building 1, Floor 4, Room B-1

Thursday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
ORIA/ORIA CF January 2013 Rug Auction
Visit this market’s gallery to see more than 20 rugs donated by ORIA members. All of the rugs are open for bid January 10 through January 12. The rug gallery benefits ORIA and the ORIA Charitable Fund.
Building 1, Floor 2

Thursday, Jan. 10, 5 p.m.
Wine and Dine with Loloi

Join Loloi showroom for a night of live music, dancing, cocktails and great food all while you shop their latest products.
Building 1, Floor 4, Room C-7

Friday, Jan. 11, 9 a.m.-Noon

Museum of Introductions (MOI) Gallery

The rug and home industry’s exclusive showing of new product introductions in a sophisticated museum setting.
Building 1, Floor 4, Room B-1

Friday, Jan. 11 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

ORIA/ORIA CF January 2013 Rug Auction

Visit this market’s gallery to see more than 20 rugs donated by ORIA members. All of the rugs are open for bid January 10 through January 12. The rug gallery benefits ORIA and the ORIA Charitable Fund.
Building 1, Floor 2

Friday, Jan. 11, 1:30 p.m.
The Unique and Antique Rug Forum

Sponsored by ORRA, Inc.

Open to all for informal presentation and discussion of unique, antique & unusual Oriental rugs by a panel of experts. Bring your own treasure for discussion! To register, contact orra@orrainc.comor www.orrainc.com.

Building 1, Floor 4, G-7

Friday, Jan. 11, 3 p.m.
Walk the Market with Phil
Presented by Phil Menendian
Sponsored by ORRA, Inc.
Join Phil for a walk in select showrooms for a more specific and lengthy examination of the rugs that will add to the educational features of this program. To register please contact orra@orrainc.com.
Building 1, Floor 2, ORRA booth.

Saturday, Jan. 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Museum of Introductions (MOI) Gallery

The rug and home industry’s exclusive showing of new product introductions in a sophisticated museum setting.
Building 1, Floor 4, Room B-1

Saturday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m.

Meet and Greet with Richard Amatulli

Sponsored by ORRA, Inc.

Meet ORRA’s president, Richard Amatulli, CRA, and learn what’s new for ORRA in 2013. Light refreshments served.

Building 1, Floor 4, Room G-7.

Saturday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

ORIA/ORIA CF January 2013 Rug Auction

Visit this market’s gallery to see over 20 rugs donated by ORIA members. All of the rugs are open for bid January 10 through January 12. The rug gallery benefits ORIA and the ORIA Charitable Fund.

Building 1, Floor 2

Saturday, Jan. 12, 10:30 a.m.-Noon

Knot To Be Missed

Presented by Phil Menendian and a panel of rug appraisers
Sponsored by ORRA Inc.

ORRA is continuing this popular program geared toward ongoing efforts to educate ORRA members. Phil Menendian will focus on a specific group of rugs that members should become familiar with. To register contact orra@orrainc.com.
Building 1, Floor 4, Room 4-G-7

Saturday, Jan. 12, 5 p.m.

4^th Floor Launch Party

Celebrate the integration of HOME and Rug on the 4th floor! Enjoy complimentary food and beverages while exploring the floor.

Building 1, Floor 4

The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market – Permanent Showrooms: January 9-16. Temporaries: January 11-15; The Atlanta International Area Rug Market featuring the National Oriental Rug Show is Jan. 10-13 (Jan. 10 hours from 4-8 p.m.). A complete list of Market seminars and events is available at www.AmericasMart.com.