* Randy Merritt, president of Georgia-based carpet manufacturer Shaw Industries, will give the keynote speech at the 2007 N.C. Sustainability Awards and Conference, the Friday Center, Chapel Hill. The event includes an awards ceremony for companies that have integrated social responsibility and environmental stewardship into their operations. The conference is $99 for N.C. Sustainability Business Council members, $120 for nonmembers and $50 for students. For more information, visit www.sustainnc.org/2007awards.

26 Friday

* BioPharma Forum, 7 a.m. to noon, N.C. Biotechnology Center, RTP. Speakers include Michael Kowolenko, a senior vice president with Biogen Idec; Thomas Nagy, president of Novozymes North America; Daniel Pelak, CEO of InnerPulse; and William Sharbaugh, chief operating officer of PPD. Free, but registration is requested by Tuesday. Visit www.mgt.ncsu.edu/rsvp/biopharma_forum.php.

For complete calendar listings see Friday's Business section.

Economic calendar

WEDNESDAY: National Association of Realtors reports on existing home sales for September.

THURSDAY: Commerce Department reports on durable goods orders and new home sales for September.

FRIDAY: N.C. Employment Security Commission reports on Triangle jobs market for September.