Boston, MA — January 2026 — Service Buddy, a modern operating system built specifically for rug galleries and carpet retailers, announced a limited-time Founders’ Circle offer for attendees of the upcoming TISE Surfaces Conference in Las Vegas.

HIGH POINT, N.C., Jan. 19, 2026 – The High Point Market Authority announces 2026 updates to the Diversity Advocacy Alliance (DAA) committee, including its Chair and Vice Chair positions, along with the addition of new committee members.

Effective this month, Ben Johnston assumes the role of Chair. He is the founder and principal of Houston-based interior design firm Benjamin Johnston Design. Victoria Sanchez is Vice Chair. She is founder and principal of Victoria at Home, an interior design firm located in Santa Fe.

Four new committee members include Rhonnika Clifton (RJ Clifton Design + Build), Marie Cloud (Indigo Pruitt Design Studio), Rhobin DelaCruz (Rhobin DelaCruz Designs) and Don Ricardo Massenburg (Design Inkredible).

“As we step into the new year, the Diversity Advocacy Alliance is energized by possibility and purpose,” says Johnston. “With collaboration, growth and inclusion at our core, we are shaping a more vibrant and equitable industry together.” 
-Ben Johnston

Facilitated by social innovation firm Change Often, the DAA was established in 2022 with 13 founding members to advance, improve and support diversity, equity and inclusion within the home furnishings sector.

To this end, the DAA committee organizes a variety of events during the biannual High Point Market trade shows. Its annual Diversity Advocacy Alliance Awards recognize outstanding efforts in the areas of inclusivity, access and social responsibility by individuals and companies within the industry.

Additional information about the DAA may be found at www.highpointmarket.org/DiversityAdvocacyAlliance. 

Haig Pedian, Sr., of Barrington Hills, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his beloved family, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the age of 101.

Bijan Nabavian was born in Tehran in 1954, and immigrated to the United States in 1969 at the age of 15. After arriving in the US, he worked while pursuing his education and later attended City College, where he studied mathematics.

Persian Gallery New York (PGNY) is heating up the winter season with the launch of their online antique rug auction site, PGNY Auctions, which will offer select items from PGNY’s extensive collection for sale in an online auction format where you can name your own price on a great selection of vintage carpets, pillows, and tapestries! The inaugural auction event has been rescheduled and is coming up soon. Visit the PGNY Auctions site at auctions.pgny.com for more information!

PGNY also has exciting rug acquisitions and inventory additions, including fine antique rugs, period European tapestries, and stylish decorative pillows available to view at www.PGNY.com!

Many of these items can be found both on the website’s New Arrivals and Buy It Now sections. An enhanced Advanced Search page, along with a refreshed menu, make for more intuitive site navigation. Browse the company’s full collection online or contact them directly with your special requests at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (212) 683-2699.

Renowned exhibitors, pioneering special formats, and a strong conference program featuring top international speakers—DOMOTEX kicks off with future-oriented topics and new perspectives for flooring and interior finishing.

Hannover. Only a few days remain until the opening of DOMOTEX 2026. From 19 to 22 January 2026, the Hannover Exhibition Center will once again become the international meeting point for the flooring and interior finishing industry. DOMOTEX 2026 launches with renowned exhibitors from the flooring sector and, for the first time, an expanded range of product segments including wall and ceiling systems, paints, wallpaper and sun protection. More than 170 new exhibitors, forward-looking special formats and a high-caliber conference program create new synergies across the entire value chain.

TROY, N.C. – Three best-selling new rugs will be making their West Coast debut in the Capel Rugs showroom at the Las Vegas Market, Space A-133 of the World Market Center, January 25-29.

Reflecting the broad range of creative styles, fashionable color palettes and quality constructions within Capel’s line, these latest winning designs include affordably priced hand-loomed and machine-made designs. All three new collections drew rave reviews from retailers and designers for their fresh looks and strong values during the fall markets, where they were formally introduced.

Evanston, IL - We are thrilled and proud to announce that Marty Tatosian, Sarkis’ son, has joined Oscar Isberian Rugs. Marty is a CPA and graduated from Marquette University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting. Marty worked at Ernst & Young for two years before joining the family business.

(Hicksville, NY – January 2026) Kalaty Rug Corporation brings an impressive display of new area rugs in all weaves, textures, constructions, décor genres and colors to the company’s Las Vegas showroom, WMC, B455. As is customary, Kalaty’s primary emphasis is on their latest high-end hand-knotted collections and additions to best-selling hand-knotted collections. In addition to hand-knotted styles, Kalaty has expanded their upper-tier Luxe-Weave™ hand-finished power-loomed collections, which now includes Zara, Nexus, Blooma, Ventura and Paintwrks, all made with premium wools. But what sets these Luxe- Weave™ rugs apart from most standard power-loomed rugs is the proprietary Luxe-Weave™ process during which each rug receives a number of meticulous hand-finishing steps similar to what is given to Kalaty’s high-end rugs. These important hand-finishing steps impart the luxurious texture and qualities that make Kalaty Luxe-Weave™ rugs nearly indiscernible from many of their hand-knotted counterparts.