(ALEXANDRIA, VA—APRIL 4, 2014) Coverings 2014, the tile + stone industry’s largest international exposition in North America, offers an exceptionally wide-ranging conference program comprising more than 80 free sessions, many aimed specifically at builders and remodelers. Coverings returns to Las Vegas for its 25th Anniversary, April 29–May 2, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with the education program beginning April 28 — adding a fifth day of conference programming.
In addition to the more than 900 exhibitors, builders and remodelers often cite the free CEU credits and conference sessions, which are categorized by professional experience ranging from novice to corporate leader, as a primary reason for attending the tile + stone super show. Coverings is an AIA/CES Provider, an NKBA CEU Provider Partner and is IDCEC approved. For the complete list of IDCEC and AIA approved sessions, please visit coverings.com/education.
In addition to the Keynote and Featured Sessions previously announced, other conference topics of particular interest to builders and remodelers include how to maximize one’s manufacturer relationship, budgeting for success; and how advancement in technology and production is resulting in never-before-available tile, stone and glass.
Here are the details to some of these not-to-be-missed sessions:
NTCA Presents Live Hands-on Demonstrations to Today’s installation Challenges. National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) presenters Gerald Sloan and Michael Whistler bring the NTCA Tile & Stone Workshops to Coverings. Large-format and thin tile installations are highlighted, along with helpful tips to prepare for and pass CTI and ACT Certification. Other topics covered include the TCNA Handbook, showers, membranes and more.
Monday, April 28, 2:15–4:15 p.m.
Budgeting for Tile Contractors 101: Forecasting and Budgeting for Success. Installation experts Dan Welch and Bob Woodward note that many tile contractors don’t budget or feel what they do is correct. This seminar focuses on important components of a tile contract’s budget, and offers solid guidelines for all levels. Billing, estimating, project management, warehouse and equipment needs, vehicle costs, fixed costs, safety and more are featured.
Tuesday, April 29, 1:45–2:45 p.m.
Shower Installations: Best Practices. Gerald Sloan and Michael Whistler note that proper installation in showers and wet areas is the number one concern for consumer seeking qualified tile installers. It is also one of the ACT Certifications being offered in the industry. This seminar discusses common installation mistakes and how to prevent them, and covers the features of the ACT Certification that will help prepare the installer for success.
Tuesday, April 29, 4:15–5:15 p.m.
Rules of the Game: How Contractors Can Use ANSI, TCNA Handbook and NTCA Reference Manual to improve their Business and Their Profit. Installations standards drive our trade—they can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Leaders of the NTCA who sit on the voting committees of these important standards, including Chris Walker, James Woelfel and Nyle Wadford, discuss their relevance and importance, and how they use this knowledge to make them better contractors.
Thursday, May 1, 8–9 a.m.
Understanding Thin Tile Installations. Neil McMurdie, MAPEI Corporation, will explore the special application challenges to producing sound, durable installations with tiles of reduced thickness and lighter weight. Learn the results of a two-year study to determine the best process and technology for installing large-format thin tile.
Thursday, May 1, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
How to Maximize the Manufacturer Relationship. Elton Mayfield, ER Marketing, advises that professional contractors are the final people who can decide, or strongly influence, what products a homeowner uses. Many times, the homeowner knows what they want done, but not how or with what product. This is a powerful position for the contractor and one that all manufacturers understand. Discover what several leading brands are doing to empower you “at the kitchen table” to recommend their products.
Thursday, May 1, 2:45–3:45 p.m.
Restorative Cleaning and Maintenance of Natural Stone, Tile and Grout. Bryan Thomson, Sapphire Scientific, explores the best practices to increase the longevity of natural stone, tile and grout flooring through proper restorative cleaning and facility maintenance programs. The presentation offers a fuller understanding of “green cleaning” techniques and capabilities of a “self contained” cleaning system. Thomson will advise why certain types of natural stone are recommended for high-traffic areas and the cleaning challenges that arise from installing these specific material types.
Friday, May 2, 8–9 a.m.
Learn about all of the conference sessions tailored to builders and remodelers by clicking here. Register to attend Coverings for free at coverings.com/register.
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About Coverings
In 2014, Coverings celebrates its 25th Anniversary as the largest and most important ceramic tile and natural stone trade fair and expo in the United States. It features exhibitors from more than 35 countries and is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative tile and stone products in the world.
The exposition serves as a valuable resource for continuing education for all segments of the industry, with more than 80 informative, accredited seminars and live demonstration sessions throughout the show, all free of charge.
Coverings attracts thousands of distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors, specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders and real estate developers, as well as journalists and bloggers who cover this vital and dynamic industry.
Sponsors of the show are The Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), Tile of Spain/Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER), Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and Tile Council of North America (TCNA). The show is managed by National Trade Productions.
Coverings 2014 will be held April 29—May 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information, visit www.coverings.com or contact National Trade Productions, Coverings Show Management, 703-683-8500.
