America's Magnificent Carpet Awards (AMCA), honoring the best new area rug introductions took place during the January Atlanta International Area Rug Market featuring the National Oriental Rug Show (NORS) on Saturday, Jan. 15.

Following a performance by Cirque Dreams, the area rug winners, which were selected from the Museum of Introductions (MOI) gallery by an independent panel, were announced and presented by AmericasMart vp area rugs, Chas Sydney.

The 2011 AMCA winners are: Handmade $0–12 per sq. ft:Couristan; Power-loomed $0-200:KAS Oriental Rugs; Handmade $12.01-23 per sq. ft.:F.J. Kashanian; Power-loomed $200.01-400:Loloi Rugs; Handmade $23.01-35 per sq. ft.:Ebisons Harounian Imports; Power-loomed $400.01-1000:Capel; Handmade $35.01-46:Caravan Rug Corp.; Power-loomed $1000.01+:Nourison Industries; Handmade $46.01-56 per sq. ft.:Amer Rugs; Handmade $56.01-65 per sq. ft.:Michaelian & Kohlberg; Handmade $65.01+ per sq. ft.:The Creative Touch; Antique:Eliko; Contemporary:Tibet Rug Co.; and Buyer’s Choice Award:Paramount Rugs.

Additionally, one showroom on each of the area rug floors was recognized for visual merchandising innovations with a Visual Display Award (VDA). The 2011 VDA winners are: Floor 3:Karastan; Floor 4:Loloi Rugs; Floor 5:Marcella Fine Rugs; and Floor 6:Shaw.

“With the breadth of dynamic product and companies launching their new lines and rugs here first, there is no other place to host this premier event that is known as the Academy Awards of the area rug industry,” Sydney said.