Check Out the Coverings 2015 Keynotes and Speakers
Coverings is excited to announce its impressive list of Keynotes and Featured Sessions for this year’s show in Orlando. More than 75 sessions that cover a broad range of relevant topics to the tile and stone industry are scheduled to take place at the show this April, with the education program beginning on April 13th.
Not sure where to start planning your conference programming? This year’s keynotes are not to be missed. And remember, all Keynotes and sessions are free to registrants!
Keynote Sessions
Among the impressive lineup are four Keynote speakers – Eric Astrachan, Executive Director of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA); Edie Cohen, Deputy Editor of Interior Design Magazine; Harris Rosen, President of Rosen Hotels & Resorts; and Joey Shimoda, Chief Creative Officer of The Shimoda Design Group – who are innovators and influencers in their respective industries. Each Keynote Session will serve a complimentary breakfast or lunch and promise to shed light on a range of topics at the forefront of industry conversation.
Eric Astrachan will discuss “Industry Update: Latest News on Tile Standards, Specification Issues, and Other Important Developments” on Tuesday, April 14 at 8:00 a.m. Back by popular demand, the TCNA Executive Director will report on industry current events, including regulatory issues, consumption data, changes to standards and the TCNA Handbook. Mr. Astrachan also will discuss a host of other issues and controversies, with a focus on how they affect segments of the tile industry. The broad-spectrum update will cover latest developments from the TCNA Lab, the latest on tile and green construction and various pitfalls and liabilities to avoid.
Edie Cohen will host “Interior Design Magazine’s Hospitality Design Power Panel” on Wednesday, April 15 at 9:15 a.m. The panel will showcase top designers from Interior Design’s Top 100 Hospitality Giants, who will discuss innovations, trends and developments in hospitality design, growth sectors, and how tile and stone comes into play. Panelists will offer their insight and tips on creating inviting and innovative spaces through case studies, projects and more.
Joey Shimoda will present on “The Sensuality of Surface,” on Wednesday, April 15 at 12 p.m, sponsored by Contract Magazine. The Shimoda Design Group has spent more than a decade crafting spaces that celebrate the sensuality of surface. The firm specializes in creating spaces that elevate each client’s brand vision and the innovative use of surfacing materials that set a tone to deliver a focused message about culture and design.
Harris Rosen of Rosen Hotels & Resorts will round out the keynote sessions on Thursday, April 16 at 8 a.m. Bart Bettiga, of the National Tile Contractors Association and Coverings’ 2015 Chairman, will sit down with Mr. Rosen for a one–on–one exclusive interview that will address the hospitality business, the design industry and his view of the future of design.
Featured Sessions
Coverings is also offering six Featured Sessions that provide additional vantage points from the tile and stone industry.
“Future Color/Design Trends: Innovation and Impact” – Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone Color Institute, Tuesday, April 14, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
“Secrets to Creating Remarkable Customer Experiences” – Sandy Smith, Sandy Smith Seminars, Tuesday, April 14, 10:45–11:45 a.m.
“Stone Trends 2015” – Vince Marazita, Marazita & Associates, Tuesday, April 14, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
“Designing Wellness” – Randy Fiser, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Wednesday, April 15, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
“Design Build Obligations: You May Not Know It, But You Own It” – Tommy A. Conner, Superior Tile and Stone, Thursday, April 16, 9:15–10:15 a.m.
“10 Best Practices to Maximize Your Store Experience & Sales” – Nicole Leinbach Reyhle, Retail Minded, Thursday, April 16, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
You can learn more about the Keynote Sessions, Featured Sessions and all of the conference programming by clicking here. Register now for free to attend these sessions and more!
