CHICAGO—Several tile distributors are inviting their customers to join them next year for a trip here for the 2009 Coverings show. The international exposition and conference dedicated to the newest in ceramic tile and natural stone takes over the McCormick Place Convention Center, April 21 to 24, with 1,200 exhibitors from more than 50 countries attracting nearly 37,000 attendees.

Genesee Ceramic Tile Distributors is among those extending the invitation. With four locations based throughout Michigan, it is preparing to host about 50 clients including architects, designers, residential builders and remodelers for a two-day visit. There is no admission charge for the show and all seminar sessions also are gratis.

“We’ve been going to Coverings since the show started,” said Jim Cokley, president of Genesee. “It’s always been worth the investment, regardless of where it’s held, because there are so many new products to see and resources to discover.”

According to Cokley, the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), a Coverings sponsor, first suggested Genesee host a client trip. In fact, CTDA has teamed with the show’s management to help line up some of the logistics and details for those distributors interested in the program.

“We’re trying to put the word out about this offer to our members who are within easy traveling vicinity to Chicago,” said Rick Church, CTDA’s executive director. “It’s a modest investment in time—just a day or two—to visit the show; but the payoffs are manifold. You’ll be building goodwill with your best customers and helping introduce them to new products, new resources and contacts from around the world.”

Also sending a contingent to the show is Keen Tile. With four locations in Illinois, it’s planning a one-day excursion with about a dozen client guests and has been issuing the invitations via word-of-mouth. “We’ve been attending Coverings for 13 years straight,” said Rick Jackson, Keen’s owner. “It’s an important show for seeing the latest trends and a resource for finding new manufacturers, plus renewing relationships with many of our existing suppliers. To be able to share this experience with our clients is fantastic.”

The concept for distributor-sponsored trips to Coverings emerged two years ago when the trade show made a return appearance in Chicago after a 15-year absence. At that time, Miles Distributors hosted about 1,000 clients from its five locations. This past year for the Orlando show, Palm Beach-based D&B Tile Distributors and Master Tile, with two Florida locations, participated in the program, bringing a total of 220 guests.

Distributors who want to host a customer trip can call National Trade Productions (NTP) at 703.683.8500.