Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.—Taking advantage of the “fun in the sun” atmosphere that is southern Florida, especially around this time of year, the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) held its annual management conference at the Marriott’s Harbor Beach Resort and Spa here.

Not only did hundreds show up to take advantage of the weather and fun outdoor recreational activities, they also attended to take part in the various networking opportunities, seminars and discussions that make the CTDA conferences so rewarding for so many ceramic tile distributor personnel around the country, noted CTDA’s executive director Rick Church.

As always, the management conference was highlighted by several insightful and inspirational speakers. Attendees were treated to discussions by Dan Korem, author of the critically acclaimed book, “The Art of Profiling—Reading People Right the First Time.” Korem gave his views on profiling insights to read fast, read accurate and deliver results.

Kelly McDonald, named #1 on the list of “26 Hot Speakers for 2006” by Successful Meetings magazine, gave her take on multicultural marketing and business trends. “No longer does mass marketing and mass media necessarily fit the bill,” she told attendees. “Diversity marketing is the new norm, and this doesn’t simply mean racial diversity.” McDonald shared her marketing insights and taught strategies and tactics for cultivating diverse consumers emotionally, rationally and with cultural relevance.

Author Paul Laudicina, managing director of A.T. Kearney’s prestigious Global Business Policy Council, provided a compass for business leaders at the event by discussing his book, “World Out of Balance.” By drawing upon the insight of an elite international group of business leaders, academics and government officials, Laudicina focused on the five factors or “drivers” which will shape tomorrow’s business environment.

Industry veteran Al Bates of the Profit Planning Group, one of the association’s most popular speakers, presented the annual CTDA company performance report, while Eric Astrachan, executive director of the Tile Council of North America (TCA), gave attendees his take on “Life Cycle Analysis.”

Inducted into the CTDA Hall of Fame was industry veteran Ralph Marra, president of Classic Ceramic Tiles, and Henry Rothberg, chairman emeritus and founder of Laticrete. This was the eighth Hall of Fame induction.

Dozens of companies and firms from the ceramic tile segment also showed up for the event, including sponsors Laticrete, Mapei, Dal-Tile, Laufen, Ceramic Tiles of Italy, Aqua Mix, Florida Tile and Imola Ceramica.

For more about CTDA and its management conference, call 630.545.9415.