“Our partners have been requesting a fall show for several years and with the economic recovery clearly underway, we are confident TISE East will attract a brand new audience which will translate into new business for exhibitors,” said Dana Teague, vice president, Hanley Wood Exhibitions. “The industry has become accustomed to manufacturers introducing new products at the January show. TISE East will give buyers the chance to evaluate which new products are performing and allow them to adjust their inventories and merchandising strategy accordingly.”
The TISE East sales team reports strong interest from exhibitors for all three shows. A partial list of participating major manufacturers confirmed include Bedrosians, Blick Industries, BMC Flooring, Breton SpA, Carpet Express, Inc., Dream Weaver, GranQuartz, International Wholesale Tile, Kane Carpet, Weavemasters, Lackmond Products Inc., Machine Tech Enterprises, MAPEI, Miracle Sealants Co., Northwood Industrial Machine, Park Industries, Regent Stone Products, Inc., Stanton Carpet, The Max Windsor Group and USG.
The TISE East Advisory Council, comprised of industry veterans representing every facet of the flooring, stone and tile industry, met with Show Management in February to offer insight on industry trends, hot topics and provide feedback on a new education program format, show hours, networking events and other show features.
In response to increasing demand for continuing education and industry certifications, show hours have been adjusted to allow both exhibitors and attendees the opportunity to take advantage of a newly revamped education program which provides for more interactive learning. TISE East exhibit hours are 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm on Monday, Oct. 20 and Tuesday, Oct. 21 and 10:00 am – 3:00 pm on Wednesday, Oct.22. Education will be offered from 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm on Sunday, Oct.19, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm on Monday, Oct. 20 and Tuesday, Oct. 21 and 8:00 am – 11:00 am on Wednesday, Oct.22.
The revamped education program includes over 50 educational sessions targeted to specific audience segments – architect, builder, designer, retailer/dealer, fabricator, installer, distributor and care/maintenance/restoration. A large number of sessions will qualify for credits with AIA, AIBD, IDCEC (ASID, IDC, IIDA) and IICRC. Education program highlights include the 140 Under 40 Emerging Professionals Luncheon, a round-table networking event featuring some of the industry’s most influential insiders, an Interior Trends & Merchandising Workshop, which will give participants the hands-on opportunity to create window displays live on the show floor and an Architect & Designer Hospitality Tour, showcasing the innovative use of building and design product at two luxury award-winning Miami Beach hotels.
Walk & Talk Sessions incorporating tours of the show floor will utilize the exhibit hall as a classroom, allowing attendees to gain perspective from industry experts with three different areas of emphasis – Equipment & Tooling, Luxury Trendspotting Floorcovering and In Our Green Shoes: An Eco-Agenda.
“Our goal since we began working with our partners, sponsors and endorsers on planning TISE East has been to create a unique trade show experience that allows attendees to take full advantage of educational offerings, certifications and networking in addition to the exhibits,” Teague explained. “We will continue to invest in offering top-notch educational programming as our research indicates ongoing education is critical to maintaining a competitive advantage for both buyers and sellers.”
Complimentary on-floor education and demos can be found in The CAGE, Cleaning & Restoration Pavilion, Tool Alley and the Social Learning Lab, where attendees are encouraged to “BYOD” – Bring Your Own Device to learn everything you need to know about social media. Other show features include Artisan Avenue, Marmomacc Pavilion, Product Marketplace, Stone Pavilion and StoneLIVE Stadium.
In addition, the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) will be offering installers Concrete Slab Moisture Testing Technician Certification, the Stone Fabricators Alliance will present “Maximizing Margins,” a workshop focused on hard-hitting strategies to increase profits straight from experienced business owners and The Experience will conduct a Retailer Symposium: “Get it Right! – New Products, Troubleshooting Problems Onsite, Selling Skills and Hiring Your Own Inspector.”
Complimentary education sessions offered by the Marble Institute of America (MIA) include “Stone Industry Town Hall Meeting: Let Your Voice Be Heard, Sustainable Natural Stone – An Introduction to NSC 373” and “Navigating an Onsite Safety Consultation to Meet OSHA Requirements.” MIA will also be hosting Women in Stone Connection Conference on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
In case you thought Miami was going to be all work and no play, a Progressive Happy Hour event will take place Monday and Tuesday from 4:00 – 6:00 pm on the show floor. And hat’s a new show launch without a party to celebrate? Exhibitors and attendees are invited to the TISE East Launch Party by-the-Pool, Monday, Oct.20 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Guests will enjoy complimentary beer and wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music and networking by the pool at the iconic Delano hotel, a not-to-be missed event showcasing the best of Miami Beach nightlife. Tickets are $50/early registration, $75/regular and $100/onsite.
Education sessions require pre-registration. A complete schedule of the TISE East education program will be available mid-July. For more information on The International Surface Event East, visit www.TISEeast.com.
To take advantage of discounted hotel rates at TISE East which include complimentary shuttle service to and from the show, visit www.tphousing.com/theintlsurfaceevent.com.