Capital Bedding Meeting Slated For September

Furniture World News

Bedding industry leaders will gather in Washington, D.C. September 8-10 for the 2004 ISPA Industry Conference, a program packed full of perspectives from industry and political experts. The exciting annual meeting takes on a political flair this fall as location, theme, and election-year timing all add up to a capital event. This year’s Industry Conference, which takes places at the Capital Hilton Hotel, includes an impressive line-up of speakers and educational sessions geared to meet the needs of bedding industry professionals. A special session with Chairman Hal Stratton and Engineering Sciences Project Manager Margaret Neily of the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) will provide the latest news on the national mattress flammability rulemaking efforts and related precision and bias studies. Business sessions also include talks with distinguished bedding market forecasting expert Jerry Epperson of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd and political forecasting expert Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. “The 2004 ISPA Industry Conference is shaping up to be an excellent forum for our members to advance their knowledge on a variety of critical issues,” notes ISPA President Dick Doyle. “We believe they’ll find this event an excellent investment toward the continued success of their operations.” Other highlights include educational sessions on work force dynamics and communications with well-known industry marketing expert Linda McKinney of Achievers International plus topics such as quality assurance and supply chain management. “When you combine this unique professional opportunity with Washington, D.C. in an election year, there’s no more exciting place to be,” said ISPA Chairman Tom LeDuc of Spring Air West. “This conference has something for everyone on multiple levels, and we hope our members will take advantage of all it has to offer." For more information on the 2004 ISPA Industry Conference, visit the ISPA Web site at www.sleepproducts.org/industryconference. Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association, www.sleepproducts.org, is the trade organization for mattress manufacturers and their component suppliers around the world. ISPA hosts the biennial ISPA EXPA trade show, ISPA’s annual Industry Conference, and publishes Bed Times and Sleep Savvy magazines.