Alexandria, VA, April 14--Coverings, the tile and stone trade show, said that over 1,400 exhibitors from more than 100 countries will be in attendance at the sold-out show taking place from May 3-6, 2005 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
"Coverings is the only tile and stone show to offer a full range of products and machinery that attendees and exhibitors need to evaluate to further develop their businesses," says Tamara Christian, Coverings’ show director and president, National Trade Productions. "Many companies return to Coverings year after year, which is a clear indication that the show is working for them. In addition, the show’s cosmopolitan tenor and range of educational forums offer our guests an informative, entertaining environment unlike any other industry show."
Coverings attendees can expect product launches showcasing ceramic material in countless sizes, colors, textures and shapes. Exhibitors will preview innovative new lines ranging from bold, bright colors, to the retro-revival of lime green, orange and gold colors, connoting a more nostalgic feel.
Coverings also offers a variety of speakers, conferences and sessions tailored to the interests of the broad range of show exhibitors and attendees. Each community, including architects, designers, installers, distributors, dealers, contractors and fabricators, can attend free seminars that will help raise awareness of trends and uses for ceramic tile and natural stone─and ultimately increase their business opportunities in the U.S.
Some of the 2005 Coverings conferences include:
-What’s Available in Distribution/Retail Software and Why Should I Use It? for distributors and dealers
-Embracing Change in the Building Industry targeted to installers and specifiers but useful to all attendees
-Five Key Productivity Measures That Will Increase Your Sales and Profits Now! for the stone fabricators
Contractors may participate in free workshops held in the exhibit hall show floor, some of which include:
•Tuesday, May 3: Installation of Electric Warm Floors
•Wednesday, May 4: Installation of Crack Isolation Membrane on Floor
•Thursday, May 5: Layout and Installation of Ceramic Tile Walls
•Friday, May 6: Installation of Epoxy Floor Grout
Coverings will also host three Appreciation Night hospitality events for various audiences who contribute considerably to the success of the show each year. These hospitality events are scheduled for Wednesday, May 4 and Thursday, May 5, at Universal City Walk in Orlando:
May 4, 6:30 p.m.
Appreciation night for installers and contractors at Pat O’Brien’s, Orlando (all attendees with a Contractor or Installer badge are invited to participate in this event)
Design/build appreciation night at the Latin Quarter (all attendees with a fabricator, architect, design, builder/remodeler, or manufacturer badge are invited to participate in this event)
May 5, 6:30 p.m.
Appreciation night for dealers and distributors at The Groove (all attendees with a retailer or distributor badge are invited to participate in this event)
