Due to the hurricane expected to hit Florida in the coming days, the National Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) has cancelled its annual meeting scheduled for Oct 21-23 in Boca Raton, Fla. Although the trade group had said its 34th annual conference was still a go on Oct. 19, the decision was made at an early morning meeting of the executive committee on Oct. 20th. The decision came amid reports that Hurricane Wilma is one of the most powerful storms to hit Florida. Meteorologists report winds of more than 145 mph, more than a foot of rain and a storm surge of 7 to 10 feet above normal tide. NAFCD has also outlined a refund plan for registration fees and asked those interested to contact the group before Nov. 1.

The statement published on NAFCD's web site:

"NAFCD believes that the fair and equitable response to this grave situation is to pay the expenses already incurred by the Association for the Annual Meeting. We will then reimburse any remaining attendee registration fees on a prorated basis to those registrants who request it by November 1, 2005. To request a refund, please send a letter to NAFCD Headquarters at info@nafcd.org or by fax: 312.673.6962. Refunds will be distributed within 30-60 days after the letter of request has been received and in the manner by which the registration fee was originally paid. Funds from those attendees who choose not to request a refund will be applied to the 2006 Educational Program budget.

Thank you for your patience and understanding."