By bringing together retailers, manufacturers and their suppliers, we are well positioned to achieve our goal of expanding the market for mattress sales.
Dale Carlsen, Chairman, Mattress Retailer Council

Over 30 top industry executives representing mattress retailers, manufacturers and suppliers met last week during the inaugural meeting of International Sleep Products Association's (ISPA) new Mattress Retailer Council. The executives focused on key industry issues including the development of a National Marketing Campaign, development of a National Sustainability Initiative, sales associate education and training, and other issues of importance to the overall industry.

During the session, the Mattress Retailer Council members approved Operating Guidelines for the Council. The Charter, Council member terms, identification of key issues for the Council to consider, as well as the election of Dale Carlsen, president and CEO of The Sleep Train Inc. as Chair, and Barrie Brown, president of Mattress Giant as Vice Chair.

The Mattress Retailer Council Charter, consistent with ISPA's Mission, states the Council "shall be dedicated to expanding the market for mattresses, enhancing customer relations, and facilitating efforts among mattress retailers, manufacturers and component suppliers to improve the consumer's mattress buying experience. The Mattress Retailer Council will provide ISPA with a forum for the mattress retail sector to discuss significant opportunities and challenges facing the mattress industry."

Council Chair Dale Carlsen noted, "I am very pleased that ISPA has taken the initiative to establish this new Council, and I am honored to have been selected as the Council's first Chair. The Council gives us a forum for collectively tackling the issues that are important to the overall mattress community. By bringing together retailers, manufacturers and their suppliers, we are well positioned to achieve our goal of expanding the market for mattress sales."

Ten Founding Members include senior representatives of Art Van Furniture; Macy's Home; Mattress Discounters; Mattress Firm; Mattress Giant; R. C. Willey; Sit ‘N Sleep; Sleepy's; Slumberland; and The Sleep Train.

ISPA President Dick Doyle observed, "Challenging times demand innovative new approaches to addressing the issues confronting our industry. Our Board has broken ground with the formation of this new Mattress Retailer Council. While ISPA remains a manufacturer-focused organization, this new Council provides an excellent opportunity for us to collectively work together to the benefit of the entire industry."

The ISPA Mattress Retailer Council will meet twice a year in conjunction with the World Market Center's semi-annual shows in Las Vegas.