Volume 26/Number 21; March 4/11, 2013
Alexandria, Va.—Legendary designer David Rockwell and visionary editor Cindy Allen will highlight a list of expert speakers during Coverings 2013 at the Georgia World Congress Center, April 29 to May 2, as the tile and stone event comes to Atlanta for the first time.
Rockwell is the founder and CEO of the world-renowned Rockwell Group. Noted for his work on the renovation of New York’s Grand Central Terminal for which he received the Presidential Design Award, Rockwell has been inducted into Interior Design magazine’s Hall of Fame, named to Architectural Digest’s AD 100 and received wide recognition throughout the design community.
He and Interior Design editor-in-chief Cindy Allen will share their unique insights on the design world today as part of Coverings’ conference program. Allen has been lauded as “one of the most influential advocates for the interior design industry.” She is an industry champion, promoting both the giants of design and the rising stars during her 12 years at the helm of Interior Design.
In addition to Rockwell and Allen, the program includes five other featured speakers—author and design writer Jen Renzi, Pantone color guru Leatrice Eiseman, successful marketer and diet expert Marty Gould, Lieutenant General John Sattler (USMC ret.), and healthcare reform specialist, Gene Marks—as part of the more than 70 educational sessions taking place during the show.
Renzi, author of “The Art of Tile,” will unveil “Trends in Tile: Boundary-Breaking New Looks, New Innovations and New Materials for Indoors and Out.” She will discuss the advancements in digital technology and the revival of artisanal processes, which have collided to transform both the look and application of tile, creating limitless opportunities for designers—and opening up new channels for customization.
Eiseman, who is executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, will delve into “Style, Substance and Color: Major Trends and Directions,” pointing out how it’s critical, now more than ever, to be aware of trends as consumers seek distinctive styling and considerable substance. During her session, she will explain the trends that help professionals connect with their targeted customers and clients.
An important issue facing today’s professional is the question of what it takes to be a leader, and the role ethics play. In his presentation, “Leadership and Ethics,” Lt. Gen. Sattler, who currently serves as the leadership chairman in the Vice Admiral James Stockdale Ethical Leadership Center at the U.S. Naval Academy, will discuss these subjects, sharing his experience both on and off the battlefield.
With healthcare reform on the horizon, business owners face many unknowns. Marks will provide answers in his session “Healthcare Reform is Reality: How Smart Businesses are Preparing for the Affordable Care Act.” He will identify 10 issues a business owner needs to consider when projecting healthcare expenditures over the next few years. He’ll look at tax effects—both corporate and professional—and discuss the ins and outs of the new exchanges.
Healthy living is something with which many people, including business owners, struggle. At the same time, they struggle with their marketing. Surprisingly both issues can be addressed with the same seven-step process, which Gould will explain in his session, “The Marketing Diet: How to Improve Your Marketing & Lose Weight.” A marketing consultant and business owner, he lost more than 60 pounds following this program, from which he developed a similar one to transform any company into an efficient marketing machine.
There is no charge for any session at Coverings, many of which offer CEU credits.
For more or to register for Coverings at no cost, call 703.683.8500 or visit coverings.com.