You are holding a copy of the newly redesigned National Floor Trends magazine. National Floor Trends continues to be the only magazine that spotlights the style, flair and fashion of the floor covering industry. A redefined and enhanced look will be shown as you page through the issue.

The floor covering industry is truly a fashion business. We have to use its glamour when selling our products to consumers. Fashion, service and selection are key factors for the current and future successes of specialty floor covering retailers/contractors. These factors differentiate your business from those selling product driven by price.

Our feature stories and columnist articles in each issue are based upon input from you, our readers. Please contact me at (800) 835-4398 x218, or email goldenj@bnpmedia.com, to suggest a topic to be included in an upcoming issue. The goal for National Floor Trends magazine is to provide to all segments of the floor covering industry -- from retailer/contractor, designer/architectural specifier, installer, distributor/sales agent, and manufacturer -- superior information for success and growth.

Get Linked! Coming in Fall 2004

Practical business information is a precious commodity. Concise plus current information is even more invaluable. The print issues of National Floor Trends that you receive each month are a testament to that; a trusted resource that you turn to for the latest floor covering trends and industry news. We're committed to presenting new avenues to provide you the most efficient means of accessing useful, timely and accurate information of the high caliber that you're accustomed to as one of our 27,000 readers.

That being said, National Floor Trends' parent company, BNP Media, proudly announces the forthcoming launch of BNP Media LINX: a "robust," user-friendly online search engine, powered by Google, that crawls across the varied industries served by BNP Media publications (www.bnpmedia.com/websites.htm) -- Architecture and Construction, Manufacturing, Security Systems, Food and Packaging, HVACR, Industrial Machinery, and Plumbing -- to retrieve and deliver pertinent industry information to effectively meet your demands.

LINX is an all-encompassing tool that provides you with immediate access to logged, organized and fully searchable past-issue archives, industry info, classifieds/products & services, plus much more.

LINX is designed to benefit industry professionals, like you, by bringing you the latest news concerning your field, and connecting you to BNP Media's vast array of industry-specific titles, events, award-winning columnists, and superior information that we've been bringing you for over 77 years.

Narrow your search results and pull timely information from a trusted source. Search with confidence and get the results that will help you retain your edge.

Take a moment to visit the National Floor Trends website, at www.ntlfloortrends.com, and experience the power of BNP Media LINX (www.bnpmedialinx.com). We're available online -- all the time.

Jeff welcomes your comments. He can be reached via e-mail at GoldenJ@

bnpmedia.com, or you can write him in care of NFT.