Coverings
The industry’s premier tile and stone market is more than an array of the world’s top manufacturers and importers displaying their latest products and 
services, Coverings offers a multi-track conference program, which is all free, geared to educate different sectors of the industry—from designers and distributors to retailers and installers/contractors—and all points in between, noted Jennifer Hoff, president of client events for National Trade Productions, which manages and produces Coverings.
Hoff briefed FCNews on some of the educational programs being offered to attendees this year, noting they are a reflection of the types of classes provided every year.
“The conference sessions remain a key focus of Coverings, and span a broad spectrum of stimulating subjects,” she added
One of this year’s featured distributor/retailer sessions addressed what is arguably the most pressing issue facing this key industry segment,” Hoff noted. “The Consumer in 2010. What Will Get Them Back?” was devoted to a discussion of the 10 top trends shaping consumer behavior in 2010 and “provided valuable insight into how applying these trends can result in greater profits.”
Other sessions of interest for distributors and retailers included “Forecasting the U.S. Ceramic Tile Market,” an in-depth look at where the industry is headed in 2010; “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 offered real solutions for gaining a competitive edge in today’s economy.
Recognizing the importance of a professional installation, she said Coverings offered installers and contractors “a daily offering of valuable educational sessions. In fact, over 40 sessions are on the docket for this vital industry segment, with topics ranging from how to boost profits in a challenging economy to the latest innovations in installation methods and materials. This year’s seminar lineup demonstrates why the conference is increasingly recognized as one of the highlights of the show.”
Lastly, the A&D community was given its own track of 40 sessions. From social networking’s growing importance and “The New Real—The Future of Design for a Changed Customer,” to “Color Trends: The Catalysts that Create Change” and “Chameleon Strategies for Turning Green,” Hoff said the goal was for architects and designers “to gain as much from attending the sessions as they do from walking the show floor.”
To learn more about Coverings education conference, call 703.683.8500.