For 30 years, Coverings – the annual global tile and stone conference and expo – has been sharing every facet of the tile and stone industry with professionals from around the globe… presenting the latest product trends, application techniques and business strategies in an action-packed three-day format.
Coverings was back in full force July 7-9 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The K&A team participated at the event, excited to be back on the tradeshow floor meeting with exhibitors from all corners of the world and experiencing firsthand the newest products and solutions. We also engaged with a number of key industry editors, bloggers and influencers.
From eye-catching patterns and shapes to tactile textures to industrial looks and mixed materials, there was something for every design style and preference. Odes to biophilic design were also on display around every corner, with interesting new takes on natural stone, ceramics and porcelain surfaces. While color and neutrals were prevalent, so were dramatic contrasts – in particular, black and white.
But it wasn’t all about aesthetics. A number of exhibitors showcased innovations in materials and equipment, all designed to make tile and stone installation and fabrication more precise and efficient. Education sessions were also abundant, covering three tracks: Installation & Fabrication, Workforce & Profits and Materials & Trends. Our president, Steve Kleber, presented on Sales & Marketing Alignment and how to bring teams together to drive revenue and business growth.
We weren’t sure what to expect after a year’s hiatus, but we were pleasantly surprised with the steady flow of traffic and high energy at the show. It was clear that the industry was ready to rock… and it did just that. Here’s to more of the same going forward!
