(CHICAGO, IL— April 19, 2016) Coverings, the largest global tile & stone exhibition in North America, made its triumphant return to Chicago for the first time in seven years, as representatives from Ceramics of Italy, Tile of Spain, Tile Council of North America, Ceramic Tile Distributor Association and National Tile Contractor Association gathered Monday, April 18 for the official 2016 ribbon cutting ceremony. The show, which runs through Thursday, April 21, features the latest products from more than 1,100 global exhibitors across 443,00 square feet of show floor space and offers more than 70 educational sessions.
“The atmosphere at Coverings 2016 is extremely optimistic as the show makes its awaited return to the Chicago market,” said Alena Capra, Coverings Industry Ambassador. “Attendees from all segments of the tile and stone industry are finding great inspiration not only from the incredible array of innovative products and wide range of informative sessions, but also from the historically strong architectural roots of Chicago.”
Sean McCadden, of Remodel My Business, kicked off the 2016 conference programming with the opening day keynote, “Turning Industry Challenges Into Opportunities and Opportunities Into Profits.” The enthusiastic presentation explored the various challenges faced by builders & remodelers in today’s market – notably keeping young talent engaged and ensuring the longevity of one’s business. McCadden offered key tips and considerations, ranging from defining paths for employee advancement to offering mentorship, and establishing high levels of integrity and trust to ensure both employee and client retention. Throughout the session, McCadden emphasized the importance of forward thinking in practices relating to business, as well as installation and design – regardless of profession. New to the keynote sessions at Coverings 2016 is the presence of InkFactory, whose representatives produce visual representations, through text and illustrations, of each session’s core messages and key takeaways.
The 2016 show also brings a reinvigorated attitude to the tile & stone industry, as the Italian, Spanish, and North American pavilions have all incorporated refreshed design and branding elements. The Italian Pavilion introduced a dynamic new stand designed by e+i studio entitled Strada Dinamica, which serves multiple functions ranging from a central gathering destination to a central showcase of the many products offered by Ceramics of Italy manufacturers. Additionally, the 2016 show serves as the launch of Tile of Spain’s new marketing initiative – “Tile Style” – which consolidates the brand’s international market position and links it to values such as innovation, design, and modernity. And, the Tile Council of North America integrated creative communications of its core areas of focus, ranging from cross-association collaboration to sustainability and installation practices throughout its booth.
Innovative and thoughtful booth design further revealed itself across the show floor, as the 2016 Best Booth Awards recognized five exhibitors whose booths featured experiential designs that activated attendees senses in ways transcending architecture and design. Sicis (#2044) followed up last year’s showstopper by showcasing truly inspirational design, with elaborate and detailed mosaics that highlighted the potential of this format. Torrecid (#7718) demonstrated a unique capacity for storytelling, showcasing the product within a lifestyle-driven layout, as Antolini Luigi (#4412) created an innovative interpretation utilizing beautiful marble mannequins within a retail concept. Inalco (#826) created a residential experience with an expansive, open user flow that welcomed attendees into their space. Ornamenta (#1654) showcased its products through a unique jewel case concept, in which the booth opened and closed to create a fun, urban experience.
The day concluded at the CID Awards & Opening Night Celebration, where the impressive projects of the 2016 Coverings CID Awards were announced and the second class of Coverings Rock Stars were celebrated by fellow industry colleagues.
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About Coverings
Coverings is the largest and most important ceramic tile and natural stone trade fair and expo in the United States. It features exhibitors from more than 40 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 75 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 Distributor Association (CTDA), Tile of Spain/Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER), Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA). The show is managed by National Trade Productions.
Coverings 2016 takes place April 18-21 in McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. For more information, visit coverings.com or contact National Trade Productions, Coverings Show Management, 703-706-8257.
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