Alexandria, VA, February 9, 2006--The tile industry will be putting a smile on the faces of hundreds of families in need of housing throughout the storm-damaged Gulf Coast region.
That’s because Coverings, the premier tile and stone expo, and its 1,200 exhibitors will be donating truckloads of unused tile and stone to Tile Partners for Humanity [TPFH], a non-profit organization. Through its partnership with Habitat for Humanity, TPFH helps rebuild homes by supplying tile and stone materials as well as providing adhesives, tools, cleaners, sealants and installation training for volunteers and homeowners. Contributions of tile, stone and related materials will be made at the conclusion of Coverings 2006, April 4-7, in Orlando, Florida.
“Proudly, this marks the third year that Coverings has teamed with Tile Partners for Humanity,” said Tamara Christian, Coverings show director and president, National Trade Productions. “Historically, our exhibitors have generously contributed, demonstrating their support for the local Orlando community and giving back to it in a meaningful way. When a trade show the size and scope of Coverings touches down in a community, a bond is forged, compelling us to acknowledge our gratitude and our sense of civic responsibility. The tons and tons of tile, marble, stone and installation materials we donate has a permanence and value that resonate long after the show is over.”
According to Ally Fertitta, executive director, TPFH, the renewed alliance with Coverings is especially critical in this hurricane-harried year. Donations from the 2006 show will, for the first time, benefit families beyond the Orlando area.
“The response of exhibitors last year was phenomenal,” she said, “and we are so grateful to Coverings for the eight trailer loads which were donated to Habitat for Humanity in Orlando. Our plans for this year are two-fold. Once again, we will be gathering all tile, stone and related materials that exhibitors wish to donate and direct it to the local Habitat chapter. And new this year, in light of the devastating hurricanes across the Gulf Coast, we will dedicate a portion of what’s collected and labor to help build and renovate homes in these communities, as well.”
Coverings 2006 is sponsored by ASCER (Spain’s Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association); Assopiastrelle (Association of Italian Ceramic Tile and Refractories Manufacturers); TCNA (Tile Council of North America);
CTDA (Ceramic Tile Distributors Association) and NTCA (National Tile Contractors Association).
Co-sponsors include the Marble Institute of America; American Institute of Architects (Orlando Chapter); The American Society of Interior Designers (Florida North, Florida South and Florida West Coast); International Interior Design Association (Florida Chapter); the Terrazzo Tile and Marble Association of Canada; the Tile Contractors’ Association of America; and, the Tile Heritage Foundation.
