WASHINGTON — "Rug Lovers Unite!" was the banner under which more than 50 Oriental rug experts and learners joined together February 10–12 in Washington DC, according to a press release.

The group included cleaners, trainers, importers, appraisers, retailers and wholesalers, the release stated.

According to the release, the first day was spent in the warehouse of Herat Oriental learning rug construction and identification in the presence of thousands of rugs; the next day the group met at Hadeed rug cleaners and compared cleaning agents, products and equipment for cleaning urine contaminated rugs; the final day included a tour to the National Textile Museum and more rug ID at Mark Keshishian and Sons, a retailer of fine Oriental rugs.

Even though several of the participants were competitors, organizer Barry O'Connell correctly described the event as, "A weekend to be nice and learn from each other," the release noted.