The CarpetPlus Buying Group recently recognized and honored some of the most innovative and brightest retailers and suppliers in the flooring industry.

“These awards symbolize the persistence and excellence achieved by our members and suppliers during the past year,” said Ron Dunn, the group’s co-CEO.

The Retailer of the Year awards were presented to Duke Karns of Carpetland USA and Stacey Pape of CarpetsPlus ColorTile for their leadership in rebate volume earnings, support of merchandising launches, Convention and Summit Attendance, networking with fellow members, store branding and use of Alliance's website programs.

“Really, this goes to all the people working for me back in Lafayette," said Karns. "Thank you to all the Carpetland stores represented here and the entire family of Alliance Flooring.” He closed by saying, “Always say something good to somebody.”

Dunn added, “Stacey’s family business joined as a charter member in 1997 and were consistently one of our top 25 performing members. In 2010, she was hit with a situation that turned into an opportunity for her to go out on her own. Instead of throwing in the towel, she decided to tough it out. She fought for market share in her area and, after five years she’s outpacing her previous sales in the family business. She will also go down in history as being our first CarpetsPlus ColorTile Destination location, and the host of our 2016 Summit.”

Outstanding Performance Awards were presented to suppliers and members who exemplified leadership in areas such as support of 2015 private label merchandising, convention attendance, support of group endeavors and continued growth of their business within the program. Recipients were: Eric Langan, Carpetland USA; Josh and Steve Elder, Gainesville CarpetsPlus ColorTile; Missy Bakken, DeGeus CarpetsPlus and Tom Hebert and Lisa Branch, Tom’s Floor Store.

Highest Sales Increase Awards were presented to members and a supplier whose continued efforts have increased their volume in both program sales and rebates over the last year.

Member winners were: Carpetland USA: Gene Podell, Carpetland USA, Roanoke, Va.; Claire McCoy, Rugs, Rolls and More, Plaistow, N.H.; Rod and Angie Marchand, Tom’s Home Furnishings, Harvey, N.D. and Mark Caruso, Caruso’s Floors, Spokane, Wash. Supplier winner was Patrick Falk, IVC.

Sandra Stanifer of ColorTile and Carpet, Redmond, Ore., received the National Retail Salespeople of the Year award; Welton Davison, Shaw Industries received the Hard Surface Supplier of the Year award and Ann McDermott, Shaw Industries received Carpet Supplier of the Year.

For more information, visit carpetsplusbuyinggroup.com.