New CFI Chairman of the Board and Immediate Past President Matt Sanders is proud to announce that the Carpet and Fabricare Institute had a very successful Connections Convention and Trade Show. The CFI booth was very busy and had over forty CFI members in attendance. The highlight at the CFI booth was video footage given to CFI by Bobbie Williams of the Academy of Textiles and Flooring, showing vintage CFI meetings dating back to 1957.

A large group of CFI members and friends attended the CFI Annual Business Meeting, where new President Graham Bedwell and new Secretary Treasurer Matt Cole were sworn into office. There were also four new Directors welcomed including Jason Hensley for the Orange County/ Inland Empire Chapter; Josh Adler for the Northern California Chapter; Mark Goodman for the Los Angeles Chapter, and Mark Exner as Director at Large.

The CFI annual awards were also presented. The “Dick Maplesden Award” went to Matt Cole, the “Jackie Maplesden Award” to Ann Bedwell; the “Joe Laurino Award” was presented to Tony Esla, and the “Bill Bailey Award” was awarded to Nila Sanders. Past President Mike West had the honor of presenting outgoing CFI Secretary Treasurer Greg Trigeiro as the new CFI Director Emeritus, an honor that very few have ever received.

Thanks to all the CFI members and friends for making this year’s Connections and CFI Annual Business Meeting one to remember.