Coverings to Sponsor Seminars

Jackson, MS, September 1, 2006--Coverings, the tile and stone show, has agreed to be the major sponsor of two regional seminars that combine the expertise of major tile industry and union associations. “Embracing Change in the Tile Industry” will take place on October 18 at the Indianapolis Marriott Hotel, and on October 19 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. The program was developed in conjunction with the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), the Tile Contractors Association of America (TCAA), the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) and union associations International Masonry Institute (IMI) and International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC). “Coverings has signed on as the major sponsor of the program in an effort to promote attendance at the event and create awareness of the Coverings show, which will move to the Midwest and take place in Chicago next year,” said Bart Bettiga, executive director of NTCA, part owner of Coverings. The show takes place at Chicago’s McCormick Place April 17-20, 2007. Other sponsors of the show include The Tile Council of North America (TCNA), Tile of Spain, Ceramic Tiles of Italy, Daltile and Laticrete International, with endorsement from the Chicago Floorcovering Association, and significant support from the Chicago A&D community, Bettiga said. The program begins with Tile of Spain tile consultant Patti Fasan presenting Tile Trends, Technology & Myths. Representatives of the organizing associations will form a panel to address current issues in the tile industry, which will be moderated by CTDA both days. Doug Miles of Miles Distributors, with three locations in Indiana, will moderate the Indianapolis panel. Panelists include NTCA’s Bettiga, 2006 TileLetter Award winner and NTCA member Jeff McCammack, owner of McCammack Tile of Indianapolis, John Mason, director of Tile Marble and Terrazzo programs with the IUBAC, John Trendell, owner of Marble Restoration, Inc., and treasurer for TCAA, Eric Astrachan, executive director of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and Scott Conwell, architect with IMI. TCNA’s Astrachan will address the 2006-07 TCA Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation, and attendees will receive a complimentary copy. In a lunchtime presentation sponsored by Ceramic Tiles of Italy, award-winning architect Michael Johnson of Michael P. Johnson Design Studio in Cave Creek, Ariz., will discuss ventilated wall systems, elevated floor systems and the use of large format porcelain tile. This program will be repeated on October 19th at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, with NTCA member Dan Welch, of Welch Tile & Marble in Kent City, Mich., joining Bettiga and union and industry representatives for the Chicago panel discussion. Both programs will be held from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; with lunch provided. Programs are free with pre-registration, and meet IIDA and AIA/CES requirements for continuing education credits. They are open to designers, architects, contractors, developers, builders, building owners, distributors and manufacturers.

Print the Article