Shaw Announces Winter Market Schedule

Dalton, GA, October 9, 2006–Shaw has announced the company’s lineup of regional winter markets for its retail customers. In a departure from past regional events, the markets will begin in December of this year and continue into February, 2007.

“In the past, we’ve had our sales meetings in late November through December each year, and our regional markets followed in January and February,” says Scott Sandlin, Shaw’s vice president of residential marketing. Sandlin says that starting the regional market schedule before the first of the year will allow the company to be more efficient, as plans call for many product collections and samples to be ready to ship earlier than in the past. “We’ve always tried to offer timely delivery for spring selling,” Sandlin says, “but the way we grouped things together in the past led to some delays. This new format will allow us to provide better service.”

Sandlin says the regional markets have worked well for the company, and attendance has increased from year to year. He says that the events are designed not only to present new products and programs, but to allow Shaw management and sales personnel to give customers the individual attention that is difficult to achieve with larger trade shows.

“Regional events give our customers what they tell us they want and expect – personal attention in a smaller venue,” Sandlin says. “In these regional events, our sales and management teams are able to work with our customers individually.”

The theme for the new season is “In Motion.” Kathy Young, creative director for Shaw, says the name was suggested as a result of the company’s many new projects and developments. “From a new management team to national advertising and innovative environmental initiatives, we are involved in a number of ventures that will have a significant impact on the future of Shaw and the industry as well,” Young says. “Our national print advertising campaign has been very successful, and we’re now running national television ads in addition to launching an exciting new shawfloors.com. On the environmental front, our Evergreen recycling venture and the new Epic hardwood facility also has us busy and focused. A lot is happening at Shaw now, and, simply put, we’re ‘in motion.’”

The complete schedule of Shaw’ 2006/Winter Tour and regional markets:

West
December 6-8, 2006
Huntington Beach, CA – Hyatt Huntington Beach

December 11-13, 2006
Glendale, AZ – Cardinals Stadium

January 8-10, 2007
Bay Area – Marriott San Ramon

January 10-12, 2007
Sacramento, CA – Radisson Hotel Sacramento

Mid-Atlantic
December 12-13, 2006
Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Marriott Waterfront

January 29-February 3, 2007
Belterra, IN – Belterra Casino & Resort

Southwest
December 15-16, 2006
Kansas City, KS – Sheraton Overland Park

January 8-9, 2007
St. Louis, MO – Westin Downtown

January 11-13, 2007
Dallas, TX – Embassy Suites

January 26-27, 2007
Omaha, NE – Harrah’s Casino

February 15-16, 2007
Tunica, MS – Grand Hotel & Casino

Great Lakes
January 11-12, 2007
Chicago, IL – Sheraton Chicago

Southeast
January 18-19, 2007
Atlanta, GA – Omni Downtown

January 25-26, 2007
Tampa, FL – Hard Rock Hotel

January 31 – February 1, 2007
Charlotte, NC – Hilton Downtown

Northeast
January 23-24, 2007
Foxwoods, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino

January 28-31, 2007
Atlantic City, NJ – Bally’s Atlantic City

Pacific Northwest
January 25-26, 2007
Seattle, WA – Qwest Field

February 1-2, 2007
Toronto, ON – Doubletree Hilton Airport