02162015 2015 NYICS Poised for Growth: Murtaza Ahmadi

LOS ANGELES - Meet the new Dennis Dodds.  Now that Dodds, the highly regarded founder of the New York International Carpet Show has retired, he's passed the torch to new owner Murtaza (Taz) Ahmadi, who vows to honor his predecessor's legacy.

"I want to preserve what Dennis has done to grow NYICS into the flagship boutique trade show for design-driven carpets in North America," says Ahmadi, an entrepreneur with 15 years' experience in logistics, development and organizing trade shows.  Part of the Ahmadi family which owns Amadi Carpets, Inc. in Los Angeles, but involved in outside business ventures for the past five years, he has a unique perspective on industry trade shows in general and NYICS in particular. 

"When Dennis launched NYICS 11 years ago, the industry was lacking a high-end trade show for handmade artisan carpets.  Dennis wanted to display creative and cutting edge rugs from around the world in a gallery setting in New York City, and his vision was fueled by a unique background as one of the most respected collectors of antique carpets internationally, and as Secretary-General of the prestigious ICOC [International Conference on Oriental Carpets]," Ahmadi says.  

Stressing that the location at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan will remain the same at the show slated for September 19 to 21, 2015, as will the focus on high end exhibitors, Ahmadi pitched Dodds on the idea of expanding the show gradually over the next three to five years in carefully measured steps.  

"My initial goal is to encourage and support the wonderful following of rug retailers Dennis has built for the show over the last decade.  But we also discussed how to grow NYICS into a national and international show by expanding our reach to more of the design and architectural communities," Ahmadi explains.  One way to build the show's designer attendance is education, he says.  "Many designers misunderstand the rug business, and one of the core aims of NYICS will be to educate the design community and general public about our industry. A greater understanding of the market can help strengthen it."

Another goal is to expand the show's exhibitor list to cultivate a more eclectic and diverse group of vendors for retailers and designers to visit.  "The industry offers a vast array of products for a broad range of designer projects that range from low to medium and high budget.  We want them all on display at NYICS, to provide designers and architects with one stop shopping," Ahmadi says.  

"In three to five years it will still be the same show. But ideally it will be a collection of boutique and creative companies who are more contemporaries than competitors. And they'll be showing a vast variety of products, all unique on their own." For the 2015 edition, he plans to bring his background in retail, wholesale and importing to bear, focusing on attending retailers, with improved logistics, more appointments, and "everything possible for a greater vendor experience with customers."

02.16.15