The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), the largest tile contractors association in the world, will be sponsoring key industry seminars during Coverings 2009.

Coverings, the Ultimate Tile + Stone Experience, makes its way back to Chicago, IL in 2009. From April 21-24, thousands of distributors, contractors, retailers, fabricators, architects and designers will meet at McCormick Place for a dynamic international exposition that features the world’s finest tile and stone.

Wednesday, April 22nd:

• 8:00-9:00 a.m. Grout and Mortar

The NTCA, with several leading contractor members, will creatively engage the audience to share their technical concerns, ideas, and issues surrounding grout and mortar. Photographs of grout and mortar issues will lead the discussion and the NTCA will moderate and encourage audience participation.

• 9:15-10:15 a.m. Substrates and Membranes

The NTCA, with several leading contractor members, will creatively engage the audience to share their technical concerns, ideas, and issues surrounding substrates and membranes. Photographs of substrate and membrane issues will lead the discussion and the NTCA will moderate and encourage audience participation.


• 12:30-2:00 p.m. Large Format Tiles

Gerald Sloan, Training Director for the NTCA will be teaming up with Eric Astrachan of the Tile Council of North America for a presentation on installing large format tiles. Manufacturers’ continue to produce ceramic tile in larger and larger unit sizes. A few short years ago 12” x12” was considered to be a large tile. Today, it’s not uncommon to see tiles two and three times that size being specified and installed. It is also common to have narrow grout joint widths desired.

But what is realistic in regards to a successful installation? What other factors need to be addressed to properly install these units in a realistic manner?

The Tile Council of North America will examine the manufacturing processes of the tiles, and explore the preparation and installation challenges facing the installer in the field. A creative, hands-on demonstration will be helpful for all attendees to understand the issues.


Thursday, April 23rd

• 9:15-10:15 a.m. A Case for Certification

The CTEF Certification Program was unveiled at Coverings last year in Orlando. The curriculum and testing for the installer is now completely developed and the opportunities to set your company and employees apart from your competition are available. Especially in today’s highly competitive economic environment, certification may be the edge you are looking for to grow your business.

The NTCA will feature several companies who are actively doing just that, and Scott Carothers of the CTEF will explain the program in complete detail. We will offer real contractors who are acting on the opportunities that certification presents to you.

• Highlighting the afternoon will be a special presentation by Bart Bettiga, Executive Director of the NTCA, and Lesley Goddin, Editor of TileLetter Magazine… “Case Studies of Beautiful Tile Installations.”

Although it is important to study why installations fail and how to prevent them, the National Tile Contractors Association features members that do incredible work and exemplify all that is right within the tile industry. Three such members will proudly present unique and challenging installations their company successfully completed recently. Both commercial and residential projects will be featured.

“The Coverings Expo serves as a valuable resource for continuing education for all segments of the tile and stone industry,” said Bart Bettiga, “With our informative, accredited seminars and live demonstrations, the NTCA has the opportunity to continue to spearhead education for the professional installation of ceramic tile and allied products.”

Organized and chartered in 1947, the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) is a non-profit trade association serving every segment of the industry, and is recognized as the largest and most respected tile contractors association in the world spearheading education for the professional installation of ceramic tile and allied products.

For more information, please contact NTCA membership director Bob Brown at bob@tile-assn.com, via telephone at (601) 939-2071, or visit www.tile-assn.com.