Coverings ’05 Tracking Double-Digit Jump in Attend

Orlando, FL, May 4—Coverings announced that after the close of day one, the 2005 show is outpacing last year’s record attendance by 14 percent. Final attendance numbers will be released at the conclusion of the show. “Coming into Coverings 2005, we knew that all the elements were in place for another excellent show,” said Tamara Christian, Coverings’ show director and president, National Trade Productions. “These early attendance numbers are not only encouraging, they represent a vote of confidence that we continue to offer a one-of-a-kind hard surface venue.” National Trade Productions points to pre-show and onsite registration data showing significant growth in five key industry categories as the reason behind the expected record attendance at Coverings 2005. This data shows a 50 percent increase over last year’s registration expected among tile and stone specifiers, followed by distributors, who are tracking at 34 percent above 2004 numbers. Installation contractors are close behind with a 28 percent jump expected, while retailers and fabricators representation is anticipated to increase 15 percent each. Data from Coverings 2005 is also showing attendance from all 50 U.S. states and 90 other countries. While 86 percent of attendees live in the United States, another nine percent are traveling from elsewhere in the Americas. Representatives from Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania are expected to make up five percent of the total show attendance. “Coverings is growing in importance to buyers in the U.S. and internationally because it gives them exposure to the latest innovations in tile and stone,” adds Christian. “Even more exciting than this year’s anticipated record draw is the growth we are seeing in the most influential industry segments in the U.S. and from around the world. In fact, many of the countries represented at this year’s show have their own established tile and stone events, proving that the Coverings show is prestigious on a global scale.” National Trade Productions is also reporting that attendance at this year’s Coverings show represents businesses with an average revenue of more than $6 million. Christian notes that tile and stone distributors and dealers make up the majority of attendees. A full 84 percent of Coverings’ registered attendees have purchasing or specifying authority for tile and stone products or machinery. The first day of the Coverings show was a success not only in terms of attendance, but importantly, in energy and excitement for tile and stone, and opportunities for attendees to conduct business. Dave Barry, a humor columnist for the Miami Herald whose column appears in more than 500 newspapers in the United States and abroad, gave the keynote address to a sellout crowd. Barry’s witty, engaging and thought provoking commentary covered a wide range of topics from Florida politics, Social Security and his career in journalism to the challenges of parenting and relationships between men and women. Once again, Coverings has put together a week of free educational conferences and seminars available for all attendee communities, including architects/designers, installers, dealers, distributors and fabricators. Many of the seminars are offering ASID, AIA, or Florida State Continuing Education Units.

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