NTCA 2009 Total Solutions Conference a Total Success

The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), the world's largest tile contractors association, held its annual conference, Total Solutions, at the Valencia Hotel on the Riverwalk, and at the historic Empire Theatre in San Antonio, Texas on September 17th and 18th, 2009.

Three-hundred dedicated industry professionals participated in the conference's meetings and seminars which covered today's most important technical and business topics. Total Solutions 2009 also included a well-received tabletop event, featuring over 50 vendors, which welcomed local tile industry people.

Business presentations focused on "How to get your price and maintain profits in a tight and challenging market." Also explored was the important aspect of "Marketing your company/generating business in these challenging times."

Because throughout this past year NTCA workshop seminars' hands-on demonstrations have been receiving rave reviews around the country, at Total Solutions 2009, the following demos were offered:

- Proper installation of glass tile and large format tile

- Proper mortar selection and performance

- Correct expansion joint placement and location.

At the annual awards banquet, NTCA executive director Bart Bettiga presented the "Tile Person of the Year" award to contractor John Cox of Cox Tile & Marble in San Antonio, Texas. This year's "Ring of Honor" winner was Don Scott, President of the David Allen Company. A videotaped acceptance presentation from Don's office in Raleigh, NC was shown, as Don was unable to attend in person.

Bart Bettiga also gave several Best Practice Awards to deserving recipients. Recognition was given to those who are making a difference and representing the NTCA as a strong Voice of the Tile Contractor... with an incredible volume of work in their respective communities.

- Best Practice Award, Commitment to Education: Michael Whistler, Whistler Tile & Stone, Bigfork, MT

- Best Practice Award, Community Support: Ed Strickland, Tile Crafters, Apax, NC

- Best Practice Award, Promoting the tile trades as a Career, Rod Owen of CC Owen Tile, Jonesboro, GA

- Best Practice Award, Safety Management, Jeff McCammack, McCammack Tile, Indianapolis, IN

- Best Practice Award, Dedication: James Woelfel, Artcraft Granite & Marble, Mesa, AZ

- Best Practice Award, Certification Effort for the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, Jan Hohn, Hohn & Hohn Tile, St. Paul, MN

Jim Olson, NTCA Assistant Director, recognized three deserving manufacturers for their support of NTCA Workshops, Advertising and Membership Campaigns.

- Special Recognition for Support to NTCA Training Efforts: Dal-Tile

- Special Recognition for Support to NTCA Membership: LATICRETE International

- Special Recognition for support to NTCA Marketing: Mapei Corporation

"The NTCA Board of Directors has worked tirelessly for several years to create an energetic and highly successful conference called 'Total Solutions,'" stated a proud Bart Bettiga. "Now, with support from the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and Tile Contractors Association of America (TCAA), we hope to further benefit the entire tile industry with a jointly held association conference called "Total Solutions Plus." The first conference will take place November 4-7th, 2010 in Naples, Florida. We look forward to sharing Ring Of Honor Winner: Bob Roberson (center), Don Scott of David Allen Company (left) and Joe Tarver of NTCA (right) great details on this exciting partnership very soon."

NTCA is a non-profit trade association serving every segment of the industry, spearheading education for the professional installation of ceramic tile and allied products. For more information, please contact NTCA executive director Bart Bettiga at bart@tileassn.com, via telephone at 601-939-2071, or visit www.artisancounters.com



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