TILE AND STONE DISTRIBUTORS AND RETAILERS ATTENDING COVERINGS 2010 WILL HAVE THEIR CHOICE OF MORE THAN 70 STIMULATING CONFERENCE SESSIONS, INCLUDING NEARLY 30 EXPRESSLY DEVELOPED FOR THEIR INDUSTRY SEGMENT AND ALL FREE.
With such a comprehensive offering of educational programming, it's no wonder that the conference component has long been one of the top draws of the international tile and stone expo, which convenes Tuesday, April 27 through Friday, April 30, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The seminars for distributors and retailers span a range of subjects and feature high-caliber experts who will offer tips and tactics for sharpening the competitive edge and improving profitability.
Coverings veteran James Dion will address what is arguably the most pressing issue facing this key industry segment in his presentation, "The Consumer in 2010. What Will Get Them Back?" One of this year's featured sessions, it will be devoted to a discussion of the 10 top trends shaping consumer behavior in 2010 and promises to provide valuable insight into how applying these trends can result in greater profits. Dion takes the stage on Wednesday morning, April 28.
The consumer mindset is also the subject of another featured session, "Game's On: the Future is Here," which kicks the day off on Thursday, April 29. Marketing guru and Coverings crowd-favorite Jonathan Trivers will explore the factors now impacting buying decisions, and explain how to incorporate these into a successful marketing strategy.
As the popularity of green products continues to grow, distributors and retailers can look forward to a robust menu of green seminars, including "Tired of Talking Green? Let's Sell Green!", a guide to what's driving green purchases, and how to use those drivers to convert conversations into sales; and "Unified Tile Industry Environmental Initiatives," an overview of worldwide environmental efforts pertinent to tile.
"We're thrilled to again present a top-notch conference program for distributors, retailers and all attendees, that reflects our ongoing focus on this unique facet of the show," said Jennifer Hoff, president of client events for National Trade Productions, which manages and produces Coverings. "The number of opportunities for professional development is rivaled only by the vast array of the best new tile and stone products on the show floor."
Other sessions of interest for distributors and retailers include "Forecasting the U.S. Ceramic Tile Market," an in-depth look at where the industry is headed in 2010, from esteemed Coverings veteran Donato Grosser; "Trends in Tile and Stone for Retail Work," an overview of the emerging trends in the use of tile and stone in retail design; and "Marketing in a Recession 101," a fast-paced, three-hour workshop that offers real solutions for gaining a competitive edge in today's economy.
Coverings is sponsored by ASCER (Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association of Spain), Confindustria Ceramica (Italian Association of Ceramics), Tile Council of North America (TCNA), Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), and National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA).
For more information on attending or exhibiting at Coverings 2010, just visit their website at www.coverings.com or contact NTP, Coverings Show Management, at 703-683-8500.
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