I have been going to what is probably the biggest Tile & Natural Stone tradeshow of its kind in North America since 1981. I am talking about what was once (back in 1981) known as the "CTDA - Ceramic Tile Distributors of America show - and is now known as "Coverings."

Some 29 years ago (and sadly, about one hundred pounds ago for me...) I went to my very first industry trade show. The "CTDA Show" as it was known back then - changed venues each year, and for my first time attending, it was held in Washington DC. I still remember that there were two separate halls: one for the US domestic companies, and the other hall for all of the foreign companies. My, my -how times have changed!

This year, I was not only able to attend the show - now known simply as "Coverings" - but I was able to have a booth space to promote AZ School of Rock - and all of the sponsor companies that help to support our training program, including Braxton-Bragg and The Slippery Rock Gazette.

I have been a regular attendee of the modern day version of this event (Coverings) since 2001, and have been a regular speaker doing seminars and presentations on all topics related to the natural stone industry.

In my opinion - Coverings is one of the two national events that you as a professional in our industry cannot afford to miss. It is a golden opportunity to visit and network with suppliers and companies that provide equipment, materials and services that can benefit your business, and should be taken advantage of whenever you have the opportunity.

Even in the present economy, the opportunity to attend trade shows - such as Coverings - is of paramount importance in finding new products, techniques and services that can benefit you or your company.

As a presenter and attendee at Coverings over the last 9 years, the show has never failed to impress me as a source for knowledge and sharing of ideas and concepts. The training seminars presented at Coverings are available free of charge for attendees. This is a huge plus for you as a business owner or manager, as you can get "take-aways" from the show that you can implement immediately into your own operation at home.

This year, Coverings was once again a very impressive show with lots of people attending, providing a wealth of product knowledge for our industry. According to Luke Gibson of National Trade Productions (Coverings' parent company), "The overall attendee number was approximately 23,000 people, who attended the 4-day show held April 27th through April 30th in Orlando, Florida." There were over 1,000 exhibitors (by my count) at the Orange County Convention Center - a monster venue that boggles your mind when you enter the facility for the very first time.

Traditionally, Coverings is such a big show (OK-How big is it?) that you need to do some serious walking two weeks prior to attending - if you do not want to have your feet aching and legs hurting from all of the walking you'll do as an attendee. There is so much stuff to see and learn about; even four days spent exploring this type of show is not enough for some people to see it all.

One really cool thing the folks at Coverings added to the show this year was a feature called "Coverings Select" which showcased brand new products, tools, machines, and actually had a jury of judges (I was honored to be invited to be one of them). We voted on what we thought was a really "novel" or "breakthrough" product that is new to the market, and has potential to be a positive contributor to our industry by virtue of what the product does. Next year, I expect that Braxton-Bragg will have some new products to enter in the competition, as I have always been able to count on Braxton-Bragg to be a leader in new and innovative products for our industry.

As this was the first year that Coverings Select was held, entries were limited. I am sure that there will be more companies wanting to get involved, next year.

Here are some quick facts on Coverings Select according to Ally Jenkins, Marketing Manager for Coverings & NTP, "There were 30 companies that participated, entering 41 total products into the competition. This year's categories included Artisan Tile & Stone, Porcelain or Ceramic Tile Wall, Porcelain or Ceramic Tile Floor, Mosaic Tile, Glass Tile, Natural Stone, Equipment & Machinery and Installation Material Systems. The category of `Other' was also added, and two products were entered as Other: Engineered Stone, and Marketing Tools," said Ally.

Coverings Select was announced in January 2010 to give companies time to decide if they wanted to participate. She noted, "The cost for a company to enter a product they wanted to be in the competition was $100 for their first entry and $75 for each additional entry. All of the winning companies got additional recognition onsite in the form of a "Winner Flyer," which was available to everyone entering the exhibit halls from Wednesday morning through the rest of the Coverings Show schedule, ending on Friday, the 30th of April."

Ally pointed out that, "We see Coverings Select as another way to highlight exhibitors who have a great new product - that might otherwise get lost on the massive show floor."

As far as next year is concerned, Ally said, "We will definitely be doing some research over the next couple of months on the categories and on the program as a whole - on how we can improve and grow for the 2011 show in Las Vegas." Because this will be the second year for Coverings Select, Jenkins noted, "We anticipate launching the program earlier for 2011."

This is an opportunity that companies not able participate in 2010 should take note of, as all of the companies that did get on board this year were very happy with the added exposure their products and their companies in general got from being in the program.

According to Jenkins, the feedback from companies participating in Coverings Select, "Has been positive. They felt that this was a great way for their company and products to get in front of a larger audience."

Over the last nine years that I have been a presenter and attendee, Coverings has been in Orlando seven out of the last nine years running. In 2007 and in 2009, Coverings was held in Chicago, Illinois at the McCormick Center. Between the two venues, my preference has always been Orlando-hands down. Sorry if I ruffle anybody's feathers who prefers Coverings in Chicago, but in MY OWN opinion, I like the warmer weather that Orlando offers in April - compared to the chance of encountering a late winter storm in the "Windy City." I grew up 90 miles north of Chicago in Milwaukee, and I have first-hand experience with blizzards as late as May 15th!

The talk among Coverings 2010 attendees and exhibitors alike throughout the week was that everyone pretty much agreed with my take on the Orlando vs Chicago venue location.

For 2011, Coverings will be heading west to Las Vegas, Nevada, and industry sources are telling me-unanimously -that this is a great thing for the folks at NTP/Coverings to be doing. The 2011 event will take place in Las Vegas, from March 14th through the 17th (ending on Saint Patrick's Day, for all of you of Irish descent), at the Sands Exhibition Hall and Convention Center. According to Luke Gibson-exhibitor space and booth space for Coverings 2011 is (at the date of writing this article) "Ninety percent sold out." If I were you, I would mark my calendar right now and make plans to be in Las Vegas for Coverings in 2011; after all - it is the "Ultimate Tile & Stone Experience."

Until next month

Best Regards & Happy Fabricating!

Numbers may have been down from previous years, but a turn-out of 23,000 is an encouraging comment on the health of the industry.

The free training seminars available to all attendees offer great ideas to improve business operations.

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