Alexandria, Va.— Coverings is on the move. Starting with its April 2007 show, the largest tile and stone market in North America, will be staged alternately between its current home in Orlando, Fla., and Chicago.

The show’s board of directors approved the initiative as a way to expand the event’s exposure by having it held in one of the country’s largest consumer and business markets. Tamara Christian, president of National Trade Productions (NTP), which manages Coverings, noted, “being in Chicago will expand the audience for our exhibitors’ products and enhance the entire market for Coverings. “Chicago is the third largest metropolitan area in the U.S.,” she continued, “and home to a vital community of design and construction professionals. It’s also a convenient hub for national and international transportation, making it as close to being the ‘center’ of the country as any American city.” Because of its central location, officials expect more attendees from both the Midwest and West Coast compared to those who come to Orlando. In addition, the area itself has numerous flooring retailers within driving distance.

Coverings’ board, which includes representatives from the market’s five sponsoring organizations —Association of Italian Ceramic Tile and Refactories Manufacturers (As-sopiastrelle), Spain’s Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER), Tile Council of North America (TCNA), Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CT-DA) and the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) —noted Chicago is also close to other major markets, such as St. Louis and Indianapolis “and the specifiers in those areas will be of great value to Coverings’ exhibitors. “At the same time,” Christian added, “the diverse nature of the expected attendees will create a meaningful total show experience and, together with the many cultural and entertainment offerings, will make their attendance at the market a profitable and rewarding experience.”

Coverings is already working with Chicago officials to develop educational tools for exhibitors to show them different ways of keeping their expenses down, to counter fears Chicago will cost much more money. Also, seminars and a video Webcast are in the works to highlight the fact that even though hourly rates may be more than Orlando, the total cost could end up being less. When it is in Chicago, Coverings will be held at the 1.3-million-square-foot McCormick Place Convention Center. It will continue to be staged at the Orange County Convention Center when it is in Orlando.

This is not the first time Coverings has alternated its shows between cities. Back when it was originally called the International Tile & Stone Expo (ITSE), the market was held in Miami one year and Los Angeles the next, then it moved to Orlando in the mid 1990s and right after that management elected to just stage the show in Florida and drop the California part. “Orlando had proven to be the appropriate location for us,” Christian said, noting the 2005 show had more than 1,000 ex-hibitors and set an attendance record with more than 32,000 people ( FCNews May 16/23). “Now,” she concluded, “as we head to Chicago in alternate years, we’re confident that its growth will be fueled even further.” Coverings 2006 will be held April 4 to 7 in Orlando. The first Chicago show will take place April 17 to 20, 2007.

Coverings is now accepting entries for its two prestigious award programs —Spectrum and Prism. Each contest has a $10,000 grand prize, along with thousands more in cash prizes to the first place and award of merit winners. Both have deadlines of Feb. 3 for entries.

Spectrum 2006 is for installations representing excellence in the use of ceramic tile in residential and commercial projects that were completed between January 2003 and December 2005. More than one project can be submitted and must be accompanied by a pocket folder with an official entry form, a typed project description and identification information, along with high resolution photography and a $100 fee. Additional projects may be entered for an $85 fee. A downloadable entry brochure along with details on how to enter can be found by visiting www.coverings.com/spectrum2006.

Prism 2006 honors outstanding and visionary use of natural stone in residential, institutional and commercial projects that were completed between January 2002 and December 2005. As with the Spectrum Awards, more than one project can be submitted and both the entry procedure and fees are the same.

For more information on attending or exhibiting at Coverings, or about either the Spectrum or Prism awards, call NTP at 703/683-8500.