Going purely by attendance figures, Coverings 2010 — which took place from April 27 to 30 — showed a considerable increase from 2009. But perhaps more importantly, the exhibition floor at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, saw more positive energy and activity than it has in years. Large-scale equipment was sold on the show floor, and stone suppliers reported that they enjoyed solid business at their stands during the four-day event.

According to show management, the number of registered attendees was 5.1% above the 2009 figure, with a total attendance of 23,080. Moreover, 90% of exhibitors at the tile and stone trade show already have secured space for next year, when the show moves to Las Vegas, NV, at The Sands Conference and Convention Center, from March 14 to 17, 2011. 

“Exhibitors have been applying for space for 2011 at a head-spinning rate,” said Jennifer Hoff, President of Events for National Trade Productions (NTP), which manages and produces Coverings. “We see this as one more positive sign for the tile and stone industry.”

Hoff also noted Coverings exhibitors themselves said they saw encouraging signs at the event. “There was some definite buying and order-taking happening, and apparently discussions about stalled projects being re-booted.”

Hoff also reported that there was a noticeable spike in distributor attendance — up 20% from 2009 — and a rise among fabricators by 9%. She said that these stats were especially gratifying, and were attributed to a more aggressive campaign to build attendance among these sectors. In addition, a Regional Distributor Pavilion, one of the new 2010 programs, gave local distributors the opportunity to showcase their products.

A full-scale exhibition

 Overall, the exhibition floor featured stone suppliers from all corners of the globe. In addition to foreign stone suppliers, various delegations of exhibitors from countries such as Brazil, Italy, Spain and Turkey were presented in national pavilions.

The foreign pavilions, as well as the other exhibitor booths, provided an opportunity for attendees to view numerous displays of stone and tile collections, which showcased new and innovative products. Included were traditional stone materials as well as an increasing range of exotic stone materials in formats including slabs, tiles, architectural pieces, mosaics and more. Also of note, suppliers of quartz surfacing were showcasing products in new colors and with increased technical properties.

As usual, the exhibition floor was filled with a host of fabrication equipment — from products such as CNC bridge saws and stoneworking centers to tools and accessories. Technology such as laser templating equipment was also available for attendees to view. Manufacturers of stone and tile maintenance and installation products were also among the exhibitors on hand at Coverings 2010, and many of these products are now being made with the environment in mind — offering the same benefits but without harsh chemicals or other non-environmentally friendly ingredients.

(An in-depth report on the products on display can be found in the feature “Sampling the exhibits at Coverings 2010” following this article.)

Twelve tile and stone projects with a strong sustainability back-story were also featured in a “PROJECT: Green” exhibit produced by Coverings in partnership with Environmental Design + Construction (ED+C) magazine. In addition to enjoying exposure during the four-day period of the show, the projects also will be profiled in an upcoming issue of ED+C.

Fabricator Forum also addressed many of the issues facing the industry in today’s marketplace.

Italian Trade Commission carries a captivating presence at Coverings 2010

Coverings 2010 also served as a valuable resource for continuing education for all categories of attendees. A two-hour Fabricator Forum also addressed many of the issues facing the industry in today’s marketplace. 
 
A unique Italian Piazza, designed by Francesco Lucchese Studio, was the home of the Italian Pavilion at Coverings 2010, and it showcased an amazing variety of natural stones quarried exclusively in Italy. Organized by the Italian Trade Commission office of Los Angeles, CA, the Italian Pavilion was one of the focal points of the trade show for importers, distributors, architects and fabricators interested in acquiring the latest in stone technology, materials and design. Additionally, noted Italian architect Francesco Lucchese was at the Italian Pavilion to present a seminar on the latest innovations in stone processing and applications.

A total of 21 of the most innovative and internationally esteemed Italian exhibitors were located side by side at the pavilion, which also included a unique Marble Library displaying more than 500 Italian stone samples. This library, designed within the settings of the Luccehese-designed piazza, was conceived to create multi-sensory experience where patrons can see, feel and touch stones from all over Italy, many of which they have never known existed or they have only seen in pictures.

Participants in the pavilion included: Basaltina, Bresciana Graniti, Ca’ d’Oro, Campolonghi, Cons. Export, Consorzio Promex, Danesi Cargo, Marmi Zola, Eurograniti, FMS-Factory Marble & Stone, GDA Marmi E Graniti, Jovino Marmi, La Marmorera Cautanese, Landi Group, Madaschi, Marmi Manzi, Marvit, MEC, Metro Marmi e Graniti, Pimar, Savema and Veronafiere.

Donating to the cause

Upon the conclusion of Coverings 2010, a number of Italian exhibitors from the Italian Pavilion donated their stone samples to Tile Partners for Humanity (TPFH). The Italian Trade Commission noted that this worthy cause serves two important purposes: Providing relief to poor communities and helping the environment — considering that the samples donated to TPFH would otherwise end up in landfills.

TPFH was founded in 2003 as a partnership between the tile industry and Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit organization working to eliminate substandard housing around the world. Industry partners provide tile, setting materials, tools, floor preparation materials, cleaners and sealers, labor and installation training to Habitat affiliates interested in building with tile.

Since the organization’s inception, it has provided more than $17 million worth of tile and related products to those in need, both through Habitat for Humanity projects and other charitable organizations. And through the years, Coverings and its exhibitors have played a pivotal role in fostering both TPFH’s growth and reach.

Companys donating to TPFH included: Basaltina, Bresciana Graniti, Campolonghi, Marmi Zola, Eurograniti, FMS-Factory Marble & Stone, Gda Marmi E Graniti, Jovino Marmi, La Marmorera Cautanese, Landi Group, Madaschi, Marvit, Metro Marmi e Graniti, Pimar and Savema.