America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards (AMCA) – honoring the best of the best in area rug design and creative achievement – will again be presented at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market featuring the National Oriental Rug Show (NORS), Jan. 12-15. NORS is staged in an exclusive partnership with the Oriental Rug Importers Association (ORIA).

Presented by AmericasMart, withRug News and Design Magazineand ORIA, the 2012 America’s Magnificent Carpet Awards are marked with new features, elements and staging, all designed to create for January Market buyers and sellers a celebration of spectacular design excellence, according to AmericasMart. Defining the 2012 edition of AMCA will be a new venue featuring memorable cuisine and an extensive line-up of some of the newest and most design-driven creations in the global rug arena.

The 2012 AMCA event features the introduction of two brand new area rug categories – Indoor/Outdoor and Licensee  --  to round out and update the already competitive categories. As the Atlanta International Area Rug Market continues to grow and expand, AmericasMart is broadening the AMCA scale and scope to celebrate the best of the best in these new categories.  

Submissions in the new Indoor/Outdoor and Licensee categories, together with all AMCA entries, will take center stage Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, at the Ocean’s Ballroom at the Georgia Aquarium. The ballroom features floor to ceiling aquariums where guests are virtually surrounded by an underwater world.

The AmericasMart Home & Rug category will once again open its doors for another event the following morning to give guests an up close and personal opportunity to view and touch the rugs, and meet and mingle with some of the designers and exhibitors. Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, the Museum of Introductions will be transformed into a complimentary breakfast banquet for all to enjoy. Both events are open to all Rug & Home buyers and exhibitors attending the January 2012 Market.