Legendary designer David Rockwell and visionary editor Cindy Allen will deliver an insightful and inspirational presentation at Coverings 2013 on Wednesday, May 1, as The Ultimate Tile + Stone Experience comes to Atlanta for the first time.

David Rockwell, Rockwell Group
Rockwell is the Founder and CEO, Rockwell Group, an award winning, cross-disciplinary architecture and design practice, headquartered in New York with offices in Madrid and Shanghai. Noted for his work on the renovation of New York’s Grand Central Terminal for which he received the Presidential Design Award, he has been inducted into Interior Design magazine’s Hall of Fame, named to Architectural Digest’s AD 100 and received wide recognition throughout the design community.

Cindy Allen, Interior Design Magazine
He and Interior Design editor-in-chief Cindy Allen will share their unique insights on the design world today as part of Coverings 2013 robust conference program, April 29-May 2. Allen has been lauded as ‘one of the most influential advocates for the interior design industry.’ She is an industry champion, promoting both the giants of design and the rising stars during her 12 years at the helm of Interior Design. A self-proclaimed design junkie, she brings an unbridled passion for design to the pages of the magazine each month, offering a unique view into design and personal connections to leaders in the industry.
In addition to these two superstars, Coverings 2013 is offering a robust conference program with more than 70 not-to-be-missed sessions including five featured speakers. Recognized experts will share vital information for architects and interior designers, builders and remodelers, retailers, fabricators, installers and distributors, at all levels from beginner to expert.
Best of all there is no charge for any of these high-powered programs, many of which offer CEU credits. The conference sessions are regularly touted as one of the top reasons to attend the international tile and stone super show.
FIVE OTHER FEATURED SPEAKERS NAMED
The five featured speakers are noted author and design writer Jen Renzi, Pantone color guru Leatrice Eiseman, successful marketer and dieter Marty Gould., Lieutenant General John F. Sattler (USMC ret.), and healthcare reform expert Gene Marks.

Jen Renzi, The Art of Tile
Jen Renzi, author of The Art of Tile, will unveil Trends in Tile: Boundary-Breaking New Looks, New Innovations and New Materials for Indoors and Out on Tuesday, April 30 from 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM.
She reports that advancements in cutting-edge digital technology and the revival of artisanal processes have collided to transform both the look and application of tile, creating limitless opportunities for designers?and opening up new channels for customization.
Super thin, super thick, super small, super sized–even the basic structure of tile–has been pushed to extremes, expanding how and where tile can be installed. And the industry has become a hotbed of innovation, with some of the brightest design luminaries and hottest talents–Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola, and Raw Edges among them–teaming with top manufacturers.
Renzi, a design writer for leading publications such as Interior Design, The Wall Street Journal and House Beautiful, will dig deep into these exciting advancements, from tiles that can be installed without adhesives to chic encaustics and the continued refinement of stone-like porcelain and faux-wood planks.
Extending far beyond the traditional applications, Renzi will share cutting-edge residential and commercial installations from across the globe. Her talk will also demonstrate how the latest tile trends dovetail with broader cultural shifts, and address how manufacturers have committed to making their products greener than ever before.

Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone Color Institute
Pantone Color Institute guru Leatrice Eiseman will delve into Style, Substance and Color: Major Trends and Directions on Monday, April 29 from 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM.
As Eiseman points out, now more than ever it is critical to be aware of future trends as consumers seek distinctive styling and considerable substance. Most important, colors and combinations must be appealing, evocative, transformative and on-target.
Eiseman, author of eight books on color, leading color forecaster and executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, will explain the directional trends that help professionals connect with their targeted customers/clients. She will lead attendees through the multiplicity of resources that inform color and design directions in this complex and information-laden world.
LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS
Another issue facing professionals in today’s complex world is the question of what it takes to be a leader, and what role does ethics play in leadership? In his inspirational presentation, Leadership and Ethics at 9:15 AM – 10:45 AM on Wednesday, May 1, Lieutenant General John F. Sattler (USMC ret.) delves into these thought-provoking subjects, sharing his experience both on and off the battlefield.

Lieutenant General John F. Sattler (USMC ret.)
Currently, LtGen Sattler serves as the Leadership Chairman in the Vice Admiral James Stockdale Ethical Leadership Center at the US Naval Academy. He has had a decorated career, serving as Director of Strategic Plans and Policy, the Joint Staff; Commanding General of First Marine Expeditionary Force; and Commander, Marine Corps Forces Central Command.

Gene Marks, The Marks Group
With healthcare reform on the horizon, business owners face many unknowns. Gene Marks, The Marks Group, will provide answers in his session Healthcare Reform is Reality: How Smart Businesses are Preparing for the Affordable Care Act. Speaking at 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 30, Marks will identify 10 significant issues that a business owner needs to consider when projecting his or her company’s health care expenditures over the next few years. He’ll look at tax effects of this legislation, both corporate and professionally, and discuss the ins and outs of the new exchanges coming into place.

Marty Gould, Focalize Now
One health issue nearly every business owner struggles with these days is their weight. At the same time, they struggle with their marketing. Surprisingly both issues can be addressed with the same seven-step process. In his session on Wednesday, May 1 from 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM, Marty Gould, Focalize Now, will divulge these seven steps in The Marketing Diet: How to Improve Your Marketing & Lose Weight!
Gould speaks from experience. A marketing consultant and business owner for nearly 30 years, he lost more than 60 pounds following these seven steps, from which he developed a similar program to transform any company into a lean, mean marketing machine. Attendees will come away from this session with a plan for creating better marketing, and a better you!
As a bonus, everyone at the presentation will receive free a 90-day healthy eating plan developed by Gould’s own personal trainer, the legendary Billy Beck III, a $99 value.
Coverings attendees will have a lot on their plates thanks to the abundant selection of educational opportunities served up on the full 2013 Conference Program. For more information, or to register for Coverings at no cost go to www.coverings.com.