The Evolution is in the Detours: From OK to GA to NY and Back Again
A reminder that true evolution comes in the pauses, the turns, and the unexpected paths we choose to follow. This month’s road wasn’t a straight line. What began with the Oklahoma Road Show stretched south to our factory in Calhoun, GA, carried me north to Turning Stone Resort Casino in Upstate New York, and finally brought me full circle back to Choctaw Landing.
Along the way, the OKRS delivered meaningful conversations about carpet, including a few pain points from casino facilities directors that I’ll dig into next time. What stood out most was the reminder that carpet is more than a surface. It’s a big deal, both for its practicality and for its artistry. Each stop renewed old partnerships, sparked new ones, and reinforced how flooring truly shapes the spaces we create.
Factory Detour: Calhoun, GA
In the middle of it all, I detoured to Encore Hospitality Carpet’s factory in Calhoun, GA, where my amazing team hosted a tour and training for some of our industry partners. Alongside my Encore colleagues, we walked through every stage of the process: yarn extrusion (yes, we make our own SDN yarn), twisting, heat setting, tufting, HDDI, rug manufacturing–the entire vertically integrated manufacturing process.
Then finally the sample warehouse, where hundreds of stocked samples line those shelves–my kind of shopping spree. I left with a trunk full of inspiration (and samples to get back on the road with). We wrapped the day with a hike through Barnsley Resort and a dinner full of laughter and conversations that had nothing to do with carpet! The perfect reset.
Back to My WNY Roots:
Turning Stone The next stop carried me north, back to my New York roots, for a conference at Turning Stone Resort Casino. The focus was on doing business with the Oneida Indian Nation and Turning Stone Enterprises, and it offered a front-row seat to the scale of their vision and the legacy they continue to build. What began as a modest bingo hall has evolved into a $370 million “Turning Stone Evolution” project, transforming not just a resort, but an entire region.
The Oneida Indian Nation has become an undeniable economic powerhouse, shaping opportunities that will ripple outward for generations, well beyond the “seven generations principle” that guides so much of the work we do in Indian Country. It was a powerful reminder that true success comes from long-term vision, grounded in culture and carried forward with purpose.
What Vendors Should Know:
At the conference, Turning Stone leaders spoke candidly about what they value most in vendor relationships.
Three themes stood out:
Consistency and follow-through: deliver what you promise, every time.
Understanding the culture: respect for tribal values and long-term vision matters as much as product or price.
True partnership: they’re not looking for one-off transactions, but for relationships that will grow alongside their enterprises.
Hearing these priorities reinforced my confidence in Encore. Consistency, cultural understanding, and true partnership are the very qualities we bring to every project, which is why I believe Encore is uniquely positioned to serve as a trusted partner across the entire gaming industry.
Full Circle:
Choctaw Landing My final stop was Choctaw Landing in Hochatown, OK, designed by JCJ ARCHITECTURE . Off-season brought a sense of calm to the resort, and I had the chance to finally experience the Art Hike, a trail throughout the property lined with extraordinary works created entirely by Choctaw artists. This project has always been close to my heart.
Years ago, during my short time as a multi-line rep, I worked closely with art, and that experience reminded me to look up as well as down. The art on the walls should always be in conversation with the art under our feet.
That perspective has stayed with me, shaping my belief that carpet is never just product; It’s art on the floor, a vehicle for storytelling, and a way to preserve culture and protect sovereignty.
Leaving Hochatown, a friend suggested I take the “scenic route” home to Tulsa. Normally I’d laugh at the idea; extra time is a rare luxury. But I’m firmly in my “let’s go exploring” era, so off I went. I wandered the winding back roads with no cell service (so no Google Maps), no emails, no texts, no calls. Just the mountains rising and falling around me, windows down, hair whipping in the wind, Hozier blasting through the speakers.
It felt wild and unplanned in the best way possible, as if Oklahoma itself was reminding me to slow down, have fun and drink it all in. I’d never driven that stretch before, and it left me eager for more: the untapped beauty, the new paths, and the unexpected surprises waiting across Oklahoma in the months ahead.
The detour ended at Lovera’s Market in Krebs, OK, where I had my very first muffaletta sandwich (where has THIS been all my life?!) and stocked up on my favorite Italian delicacies: meats, olives, cheeses, sauces, pastas, and cookies galore. I then came rolling into Madden’s school in Tulsa, on two wheels and five minutes late for pick-up, classic “coming in hot” fashion. That evening, we sat down to a quiet Italian dinner together. With our hearts and bellies full, it was the perfect close to this week’s travels and a reminder that every mile of the OKRS is time well spent.
Looking Ahead
As the OKRS continues over the coming weeks, I’m carrying gratitude for the conversations, inspiration from the journeys, and a renewed sense of calm. Each stop has reminded me that growth doesn’t always happen in straight lines; the real evolution is found in the detours.
From OK to GA to NY and back again, every turn in the road this month has added perspective, connection, and purpose. Next, beyond Oklahoma, the road takes me to Las Vegas for G2E, where the convergence of art and carpet will be front and center on the Eclipse Gaming Systems Booth: #3040.
I’m excited to catch up with friends, share stories, and celebrate the ways carpet design continues to evolve in this industry we all love.
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