Entries for the 2012 America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards (AMCA) are now being accepted and must be received by Dec. 16, with all rugs received no later than December 30. Sponsored by AmericasMart, withRug News and Design Magazineand the Oriental Rug Importers Association (ORIA), AMCA recognizes the latest area rug introductions in a special night of celebration and achievement.   

The AMCAs will also honor the rug Retailer of The Year. This will be selected from nominees entered by AmericasMart exhibitors and voted on by an independent panel of industry experts. There will be three Retailer of The Year honors given; selection will be based on criteria such as outstanding selling and merchandising, breadth and depth of product offering and excellence in customer service.

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 of handmade, handknotted and power loomed. Each showroom may submit up to two rugs (a third rug may be submitted in the indoor/outdoor or licensee categories). The entry fee is $150 per rug if submitted before Dec. 16 ($200 after Dec. 16) and no rugs over 8’ by 10’ (except antique entries) will be accepted. The AMCAs will take place Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in the Oceans Ballroom at the Georgia Aquarium starting at 6 p.m.

In addition, all Rug & Home buyers and exhibitors will have the opportunity to view the winning rugs up close and personal as well as meet the creative designers behind the rugs at the Breakfast by Design, Saturday, Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in AmericasMart Building 1, Floor 4.

A complimentary breakfast banquet will be available to all Rug & Home buyers and exhibitors attending the January 2012 Market. Rugs will hang in the Museum of Introductions from Friday, Jan. 13th through Sunday, Jan. 15 from 9 a.m. until noon.

For entry instructions and official rules, visit www.americasmart.com/amca.