Coverings 2023 was back to its pre-pandemic form with a reported 50% increase in attendance from last year’s show. The buzz and excitement were beyond noticeable as there were many opportunities to learn, see new products, and connect with many people in the tile industry.
The Educational Sessions were well-attended and topics were relevant. The sessions included design and color trends, installation methods, business practices, and many other topics that are currently affecting the tile industry. The NTCA training staff did a phenomenal job on the Installation Innovation Stage where they performed informative and purposeful demonstrations. NTCA’s 2nd Vice President, Woody Sanders, and his team demonstrated the installation of porcelain pavers on pedestals. This demonstration was one of my favorite things about this year’s show as it was a great way to see and learn more about a product that I have not had much experience with.
The Educational Sessions were well-attended and topics were relevant. The sessions included design and color trends, installation methods, business practices, and many other topics that are currently affecting the tile industry. The NTCA training staff did a phenomenal job on the Installation Innovation Stage where they performed informative and purposeful demonstrations. NTCA’s 2nd Vice President, Woody Sanders, and his team demonstrated the installation of porcelain pavers on pedestals. This demonstration was one of my favorite things about this year’s show as it was a great way to see and learn more about a product that I have not had much experience with.
The tile manufacturers’ exhibits showcased their new, up-to-date products, including their own line of pavers for pedestal installations. Being at the show and seeing these pavers at almost every tile exhibit was a definite sign that tile industry is preparing for a push into the outdoor and landscape market. There were various product launches that were exciting and intriguing to me as a tile contractor, as many of these new products look to be improvements to the everyday products that tile contractors use today.
The NTCA booth, the CTEF booth, and the Coverings Lounge were exciting places to be! These were great places to connect with other tile contractors, talk shop, and have a good time. One of the biggest values of being involved in the tile industry and being a member of the NTCA is the things we are able to learn from each other. Coverings provides these opportunities, and as tile contractors, we grow from these moments. NTCA’s booth also featured very cool, anime-style life-size cutouts of all of the NTCA trainers. I thought this was an awesome way to showcase these people as they are on the road all year doing the work of the NTCA.
I think many would agree with me that Coverings 2023 exceeded expectations and was an industry convention that was worth its cost. If you have not been to Coverings, or were not able to attend this year’s show, I urge you to put it on your calendar for 2024 in Atlanta from April 22-25. As a tile contractor, this is a show you cannot afford to miss!