SHAW INDUSTRIES TO HOLD REGIONAL EVENTS; SKIPPING SURFACES AGAIN

DALTON, GA - Shaw Industries will conduct a series of regional shows for retailers in January and February  2005.

The floor covering supplier will miss the Surfaces all-industry Expo in Las Vegas for the second year in a row, according to the company.

Shaw said it will build on the success of last year's regional format with the 2005 events. "The shows are designed not only to present new products and programs, but to allow Shaw management and sales personnel to give customers the individual attention that is difficult to achieve with larger trade shows,"  the company said.

"With these regional events, we are able to give customers what they've asked us for -- quality time,€VbCrLf said Scott Sandlin, Shaw's vice president of marketing. "In the regional venues, our sales and management teams are able to allocate time and resources to work with our customers individually to develop programs that will add value to their business.€VbCrLf

The regional shows will culminate in Shaw's premier event, the Shaw Flooring Alliance Convention, to be held in Dallas at the Gaylord Texan Resort Feb. 3 to 6, 2005.

Like previous SFA conventions, the upcoming "Stars 2005€VbCrLf event in Dallas  will combine product presentations, promotional programs, educational seminars, and entertainment. Brooks & Dunn, the award-winning country music duo, will be featured performers at Stars 2005.

Regional shows will be held throughout the country in January and early February. In addition, numerous "mini-markets€VbCrLf are also scheduled.

Shaw Industries is a division of Berkshire Hathaway. The company produces and sells rugs, carpeting, hard surface flooring and ceramic for residential and commercial use. Shaw Living is the  rug and home textiles division of Shaw Industries.

SHAW WINTER SHOW SCHEDULE