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30th Anniversary
SOUND & MOTION
interview with Reza Momeni,
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MOMENI MARKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH
NEW PRODUCTS, GALA CELEBRATION
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Momeni celebrates its 30th Anniversary: Seated, father Hadji Momeni. Standing, Ali Momeni, Reza Momeni and Arya Momeni.
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NEW YORK -- Momeni, Inc. is marking its 30th anniversary with breakthrough new products, a gala celebration at the downtown Atlanta Ritz Carlton and a drawing for a dream vacation in New York City.
The festivities will begin this week at the Atlanta International Rug Market, Jan. 20 to 23 at AmericasMart Atlanta.
The anniversary party will be held at the Grand Ballroom of the Ritz Carlton in downtown Atlanta January 21 from 6 until 9 p.m. Jazz music, food, drink and other entertainment will be provided.
Momeni will also sponsor a raffle in Atlanta and Las Vegas for a three-day, two-night NYC dream package including airfare, hotel, two passes to the newly renovated Museum of Modern Art and two tickets to a Broadway show.
Momeni dates its anniversary to 1975, when Ali Akbar (Haji) Momeni and son Ahmad Momeni incorporated Momeni, Inc. in New York City.
But the company's U.S. beginnings go back to 1969 when Ahmad was a student at the University of Oklahoma. During a phone call to his father back in Iran, Ahmad told Haji how people at the University often spoke about the beautiful rugs that came from Persia.
Two months after that call, two large bales of Persian rugs were delivered to a bewildered Ahmad with orders from Haji: "Sell them."
Ahmad dutifully began to sell the rugs to professors and fellow students. Later, he drove through the country selling the rugs. Haji joined him and the father and son team opened a small retail store in Austin, selling one of a kind Persian rugs.
In 1975, father and son moved to New York and formed Momeni, Inc., a fine Oriental rug importer.
Momeni has since expanded into a manufacturer and importer of machine made, hand tufted, and hand knotted rugs. Most of the rugs come from India, China, Pakistan and Iran.
The company presently has over 50 programmed rug lines and continues to import one of a kind products, as well. Sizes range from 2x3 to 10x14.
Most programmed rugs retail between $299 and $999 in 5x8 size.
The company has also adapted and changed with evolving home fashion trends and political changes over the years, noted Reza Momeni, who Momeni's president.
The company has adapted to such upheavals as the Iranian revolution, the raising of imports 40% on Romainian rugs, the lowering of duties from China, and the growth of inexpensive machine made rugs.
Haji Momeni's philosophy of "make good quality rugs that people like€VbCrLf has remained the cornerstone of the Momeni success story.
This philosophy is now carried on by Haji Momeni's three younger sons, Reza, who serves as president, and Aria and Ali who are corporate vice presidents.
Ahmad Momeni has devoted much of his energy to the retail business. He is currently based in Phoenix, AZ , where he is owner of the Arizona Rug Co.
In addition to its New York headquarters, the company maintains a warehouse and shipping offices in Atlanta, along with showrooms in New York, High Point and Atlanta.
It has worldwide distribution. The company prints updated catalogs regularly, and has recently revamped its website.
The website, www.momeni.com offers a password-protected b to b section dedicated to helping retailers build their business with the click of a mouse.
The site allows retailers full access to all designs, sizes, shipments, availability and more.
The sales force is led by Austin Craley. The sales team includes John Conlon, Marlys Giordano, Penny Shelton and Ray Ehsani.
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New Momeni machine made rugs are manufactured at Momeni's facilities in China. Hand carved detailing. Made of New Zealand wool, the 5x8 will retail at $399.
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