ALEXANDRIA, VA.—A strong crop of new looks and concepts in tile and stone coming from all points around the globe will take center stage when the 1,200-plus exhibitors converge upon Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center from April 29 to May 2 for Coverings 2008. The expo and conference, which last year drew a record registered attendance of 37,000, is expected to be equally packed this year as Coverings’ stock as the premier event for tile and stone continues to rise.

“Coverings is an absolute must for anyone who needs to know what’s happening in tile and stone,” said Glenn Feder, president of client events for National Trade Productions (NTP), which manages and produces Coverings. “For trendspotting, discovering new resources, industry networking, professional improvement and added learning opportunities, Coverings is it.”

The show floor is the epicenter of Coverings’ activity featuring the most elaborate and inspirational displays. Also on the show floor are daily demonstrations for contractors and installers, sessions that provide valuable advice and trouble- shooting solutions.

But that’s not all. Free educational seminars are conducted non-stop throughout each day of the show, with a variety of subjects offered to satisfy every segment of Coverings attendees, many yielding CEU credits. The conference component of the show has always rated highly, due in large part to the high caliber of experts who are recruited to speak. And, with nearly 15% more sessions being offered—a total of 80-plus seminars are planned—Coverings 2008 is headed to be a record breaker. All seminars are free of charge and offer CEU credits from AIA, ASID or NKBA.

Tile and stone distributors and retailers will have their choice of 18 educational seminars during Coverings. The track developed especially for them will include a variety of options, such as “Negotiating Skills for Buyers, Sellers and Everyone,” a keynote presented by James Dion, one of North America’s leading retail authorities.

He also headlines a session, “30 Things to Do When Business Is Tough to Get.” Other presentations include: “How To Work With A Designer & Increase Profits;” “The Secrets of Closing the Sale;” “Show Me the $$$$ Through Branding,” and “Remodeling Update: Where Customers Are Investing Their Money.”

Additionally, industry consultant Donato Grosser returns to Coverings with “Forecasting the U.S. Ceramic Tile Market,” a look at consumption, manufacturing, imports and distribution that has always yielded vital information on the state of the industry. The curriculum is designed to help sharpen marketing and business operations skills with a clear focus on bottom-line business.

Tile/stone contractors and installers will also be represented during the program. There will be 23 seminars geared toward this segment, including keynoter Mark Matteson, an internationally known best-selling author and consultant, who will be presenting “The Art of Change.”

Also on board are color guru Leatrice Eiseman and trend forecaster Maxine Lauer, plus Jennifer Busch, editor-in-chief of Contract, Barbara Dixon, editor-in-chief of Cottages & Gardens magazine, and Alexia Brue, a contributor to Luxury Spa Finder.

Responding to a growing and compelling need to learn more about sustainability in architecture and design, nine of the 25 sessions will help practitioners focus on this subject. Programs with a green theme include “Green Couture: How To Be Eco-Friendly and Stylish;” “Food for Thought: Sustainable Restaurant Designs/Menus/Environment;” “Green Tile, Marble and Terrazzo Solutions,” and “Green and Recycle Are Two Different Things.”

For more on attending or exhibiting at Coverings, call NTP at 703.683.8500.