Coverings 2007 Spectrum and Prism Awards Call For

Alexandria, VA, JANUARY 16, 2007--The search is on for architectural and design projects representing the most innovative and visionary use of ceramic tile and natural stone, and $36,000 in prize money is at stake as the annual Spectrum and Prism Awards issue their call for entries. As is tradition, the competitions--Spectrum for tile, Prism for stone--culminate with a presentation ceremony during the Coverings expo and conference, April 17-20, in Chicago. More than 15,000 entry forms have been mailed, plus downloadable versions are available at http://www.coverings.com/spectrum-prism-awards.html. The deadline for receipt is Friday, February 23. Grand Prize honorees for both Spectrum and Prism will receive $10,000 each. Additionally, a $2,500 First Prize and $1,500 Award of Merit will be conferred in both residential and commercial categories for each competition. Mastery of the materials, overall creativity and imagination, plus installation competency will be among the judges’ top criteria for both. To qualify, projects must have been completed between January 2003 and December 2006. Each submission must be accompanied by an electronic file, a pocket folder with an official entry form, a typed project description and identification information and high-resolution photography. The entry fee is $100 for a single project, but multiple entries are accepted, and the subsequent entry fee is only $60 for each additional one. Unanimously, past winners have leveraged the awards for their business value. William Pues, vice president, Conventional Stone and Marble, and 2006 Prism Grand Prize winner, said, “We feel very honored to be the recipient of the Prism Grand Prize. The recognition we have received within the industry has given our company new opportunities. It was truly a team effort and we look forward to this year’s competition and to the show in Chicago.” Last year’s Spectrum Award of Merit honoree for residential, Chuck Fitzgerald, president of Fitzgerald Tile Company in El Cajon, CA, noted, “The industry demands that we keep abreast of what’s new, innovative and well done. The Spectrum competition is an excellent way to share our skills to enhance our craft.” Tamara Christian, who, in her capacity as CEO of National Trade Productions, is Show Director of Coverings and has seen numerous Spectrum and Prism winners reap the benefits of the honors long after the presentations are made. “The prestige of these awards is lasting and far-reaching,” she said. “Honorees are in the global spotlight at Coverings, with more than 33,000 guests from over 65 countries. The news of the winners and their projects appears not only in nearly all the key North American design and architectural publications, but also in major industry journals based overseas. What’s more, Coverings publishes a handsome keepsake booklet that profiles the winning projects. It’s a valuable sales tool for the winners to obtain and use, and over the years we’ve heard from many who credit the awards with helping to attract new business.” The 2007 Spectrum and Prism Awards are sponsored by Coverings and coordinated by the five sponsoring organizations of the show including ASCER (Spain’s Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association), Confindusrtria Ceramica (Italian Association of Ceramics), CTDA (Ceramic Tile Distributors Association), NTCA (National Tile Contractors Association) and TCNA (Tile Council of North America). Additionally, Architectural Record is returning as a sponsor of the Prism Awards.

Related Topics:Coverings, CERAMICS OF ITALY

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