(ALEXANDRIA, VA. – MARCH 2013)–Coverings 2013, the tile and stone industry’s largest international exposition, offers an extraordinarily wide-ranging conference program comprising more than 70 sessions, many aimed specifically at installers.
When The Ultimate Tile + Stone Experience comes to Atlanta for the first time, April 29-May 2, 2013, there will be more than 900 exhibitors showing an unrivalled range of innovative products and technologies. But installers often cite the free conference sessions, which are categorized by professional-experience level ranging from novice to corporate leader, as a primary reason for attending the tile and stone super show.
In addition to the Featured Speakers previously announced, session topics of particular interest to the installation community include best sustainability practices for tile and stone; installing tile and stone in remodeling projects; and how advancement in technology and production is resulting in never-before available tile, stone and glass.
Highlighted sessions include:
Innovative Technology for the Tile Trade. Join us in this new and interactive demonstration session where you will view up-close the latest in technology for the tile trade! NTCA will provide live demonstrations of the latest technologies providing attendees the chance to view, touch and ask questions. Wednesday, May 1, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM.
Tile Council of North America: 2013 Version of the TCNA Handbook and other TCNA Initiatives. Eric Astrachan of the TCNA unveils the latest TCNA Handbook, an important document that’s used by professionals across the industry and ensures quality sales, specification and installation of tile and stone. Hear what you need to know to keep your business up-to-date and successful. Monday, April 29, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM.
Competing for the Future: Tools for Developing Your Team to Become World-Class Performers. An interactive presentation by Sandy Smith of Sandy Smith Seminars designed to assist small-business leaders and managers to create an organizational culture whose teams perform at a consistently high level. The content is practical in nature; participants will leave with ‘real world’ tools to be applied at work. Monday, April 29, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM.
Marble Use in the Kitchen. Joshua Levinson of Artistic Tile and Todd Robertson of Vermont Quarries will focus on the use of marble on kitchen countertops, a practice on the rise in the US. Attendees will learn the different protective treatments required; appreciate the unique design possibilities of using marble for countertops; and expand their ability to set the proper consumer expectation. Monday, April 29, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Installing Tile and Stone in Remodeling Projects: Panel Discussion. Remodeling accounts for a large amount of tile and stone consumption and is very different from new construction in numerous ways. Tile contractors specializing in this type of work must be knowledgeable and proficient in other trades, and know how to put a team together to meet the customer’s expectations. NTCA Five Star Contractors John Cox of Cox Tile, Inc., Jan Hohn of Hohn & Hohn Tile, and Joe Kerber of Kerber Tile, Marble and Stone, will share their field experience. Tuesday, April 30, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM.
Tools that Can Help the Tile Contractor Add Profit to the Bottom Line. Michael Whistler, NTCA Presenter/Technical Consultant, will provide live demonstrations of the latest tools, giving attendees the chance to view, touch and ask questions. Thursday, May 2, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM.
Other programs of particular interest to installers include:
Why Epoxy Grout and Bonding Mortars Are Essential to the Tile and Stone Industry. Monday, April 29, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM.
Profitable Installations with (Very) Large Format Tile. Monday, April 29, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM.
Thin Tile Project from Design to Completion. Tuesday, April 30, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM.
Understanding and Using ISO 13007-5 Liquid Waterproofing with ANSI A118.10. Tuesday, April 30, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM.
Contractors Forum: Concrete Substrates. Tuesday, April 30, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM.
The Importance of Vapor Management in Steam Room Installations. Tuesday, April 30, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM.
Disaster Relief: Avoiding Installation Failure with Sound Installation, Planning and Implementation. Tuesday, April 30, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM.
ANSI’s Response to ISO 13007. Wednesday, May 1, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM.
Green Squared: North America’s Standard and Certification Program for Tile Product Sustainability. Wednesday, May 1, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM.
Advanced Certification of Tile Installers (ACT). Wednesday, May 1, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM.
For the full conference program go to www.coverings.com.
About Coverings
Coverings is the largest and most important ceramic tile and natural stone trade fair and expo in the United States. It features exhibitors from more than 50 countries and is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative tile and stone products in the world.
The exposition also serves as a valuable resource for continuing education for all segments of the industry, with over 70 informative, accredited seminars and live demonstration sessions throughout the show, all free of charge.
Coverings attracts thousands of distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors, specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders and real estate developers, as well as journalists and bloggers who cover this vital and dynamic industry.
Sponsors of the show are The Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), Tile of Spain/Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER), Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and The Tile Council of North America (TCNA). The show is managed by National Trade Productions.
Coverings 2013 will be held April 29-May 2, at Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information visit www.coverings.com or contact National Trade Productions, Coverings Show Management, 703-706-8257.
