Next week, the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) will convene its annual conference at the Northwest Georgia Trade Convention Center. The conference will begin at 2 p.m. on November 2, and will feature Simon van de Vrande, president of the European Carpet Rug Association as the keynote speaker.
This year’s conference will also be highlighted by the presence of former NASA astronaut Robert Springer, who flew missions aboard both the space shuttles Discovery and Atlantis prior to his retirement. Springer’s participation is part of the on going relationship CRI and NASA have cultivated following the transfer of space technology into the highly successful Seal of Approval X-ray fluorescence (XRF) Testing Program that was launched last month at John F. Kennedy Space Center.
“Obviously, we are pleased to have Colonel Springer join us to celebrate our partnership with NASA. His vast experience as an astronaut should add an interesting slant on our meeting, and his perspective on how the same space technology used to ensure successful space missions is now being used to ensure cleaner carpets should be enlightening,” says CRI President Werner Braun.
“Our annual meeting offers us a way to provide our members with a knowledgeable perspective into some of the key issues facing the industry today. We are especially excited to have Simon van de Vrande here to give us his insights in the industry from a European perspective, and our discussion panel to close the meeting should only add to his remarks,” says Braun.
The conference is free and open to the public.
