Orlando, FL, April 21, 2006--Kevin S. Sause, a Punta Gorda, FL, contractor who has attended all but one of the past 19 Coverings expos, admitted he “was floored” when he won a new truck in a show drawing.
At stake was a Ford F-150 XLT truck sponsored by various organizations representing the Brazil Pavilion including the Brazilian Association of Ceramic Tile Manufacturers (ANFACER), the Brazilian Association for Dimension Stone Industry (ABIROCHAS) and the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency (APEX).
“You enter these giveaways year after year,” said Sause, owner of Ceramic Tile Work. “But you never expect to win since there are so many people who participate.”
Sause opted for the $25,000 cash prize in lieu of the truck. He explained he’s more of a van man when it comes to his business, plus, “I figured it would be a wiser choice because I’d like to invest more in my business and branch out. I plan on sourcing more products from overseas, and winning the prize helps me do so. I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”
Joining Sause in the winner’s circle were two other attendees who each won tool packages valued at approximately $5,000 each. Bill Tillman, of Decorative Flooring Products, Gilbert, AZ, is now the owner of such items as a master grout station from Raimondi USA, tile spacers from Tavy Enterprises, a handheld saw from Q.E.P Tools and much more. Mareth Kotze, of Antique Stones, a granite and marble fabricator in Atlanta, has received a package that includes a level line laser tool from Laser Products Industries, a wet saw from the North American Tile Tool Company, a drilling kit from Barrett Diamond Products and many other items.
“I feel like a child at Christmas,” said Kotze, upon learning of her win. “I can’t wait to show the tools to my staff so they can begin using everything.” She’s been a Coverings regular the past eight years and was in Orlando to scout for new resources plus attend some of the educational sessions for first-hand specification knowledge.
Though Tillman has been in the industry over 35 years, this was his first experience at Coverings, and, the win aside, he was impressed. “Nowhere else is there a show that covers all aspects of the industry and features such depth and breadth of product,” he said. “I’ve never won anything before and was pleasantly surprised. This giveaway really showed how appreciative Coverings is to its attendees, and now I can’t wait to try out my new tools.”
The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), a Coverings sponsor, coordinated the tool giveaway, and among the other top-shelf companies and brands who provided merchandise were Sigma, TileHopper, Tile-Eze, Karl Dahm Tools, Custom Building Products, Kraft Tool, Ceramic Tiles of Italy, Racatac Products, Evan Products, Mark E. Industries, MAPEI, Aqua Mix, Marshalltown Tool Company, Rubi Tools USA and Saw Master.
According to Coverings show management, both the truck and the tool drawing attracted more than 11,000 entries each.
