Jan. 21, 2025 – ORLANDO, Fla. – Coverings (coverings.com), the largest event and world class showcase of ceramic tile and natural stone in North America, has announced an empowering lineup of educational opportunities for Coverings 2025, which will take place April 29-May 2, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida.
Coverings 2025 is set to offer attendees an unmatched array of educational experiences, including live demonstrations, interactive learning sessions, expert Q&A panels, partner-led education, live podcasts and much more. These edifying opportunities have been planned for all business segments of the tile and stone industry, including Architecture and Design, and will equip professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills to elevate their work and grow their businesses.
“We are proud to provide a platform where professionals can engage through groundbreaking ideas, innovative techniques and eye-catching trends to inspire their growth and success,” said Jamie Rich, show director for Coverings 2025. “Showgoers will have unparalleled opportunities to personalize their educational experiences by attending sessions focused on one or more of Coverings’ four core tenets, including ‘Sustainability,’ ‘Health & Wellness,’ ‘Outdoor Spaces’ and ‘Timeless Luxury,’ and choosing topics most relevant to their interests and professional goals.”
Education at Coverings 2025, comprising nearly 30 unique sessions on a wide range of enriching topics, has been thoughtfully designed to foster career advancement, business development and increased revenue for tile and stone industry members and stakeholders. The sessions are strategically organized into three key learning tracks – Installation & Fabrication, Materials & Trends, and Workforce & Profits – ensuring a well-rounded and impactful learning experience for all participants.
Show registrants can explore the full scope of educational sessions and partner programs, including dates, times and locations of all scheduled conference events at Coverings 2025, by visiting Coverings.com/learning-opportunities.
“Color/Design Future Trends: Welcome Home,” a highly anticipated session on Day 1 of Coverings 2025, 9:30-10:30 a.m. EDT, will be presented by Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. Eiseman will unveil Pantone’s 2025 color forecast, “Welcome Home,” a theme that reflects the evolving role of home as a space for living, working, entertaining and finding rest. The presentation will explore how residential warmth is increasingly influencing contract and commercial interiors, creating more welcoming environments across design sectors. Showgoers will gain valuable insights regarding major trend directions and actionable strategies to resonate with clients and stay ahead of future design trends.
One critical session on Day 2 of Coverings 2025, 8-9 a.m., will feature “Economic Outlook 2025: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in the Tile, Stone and Flooring Industry.” Author, speaker, and columnist Gene Marks will lead the session, alongside industry experts Joe Lundgren of JLC Consulting and Santo Torcivia of Marketing Insights LLC, providing a comprehensive forecast of the national economy and construction market. Attendees will gain insights into key trends, metrics and strategies that smart companies are adopting to address current issues. Presenters will then give a deep dive into the ceramic tile and floor sector, including updates on the latest government initiatives, first-quarter data and emerging market dynamics impacting growth and profitability. Those in attendance will leave equipped with the strategic knowledge to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing market.
“Shifting Landscapes: The Impact of Business Consolidation in the Tile and Stone Industry,” a game-changing panel session on Day 2, 9:30-10:30 a.m., will examine the ongoing wave of consolidation reshaping the tile and stone industry. The session, moderated by Kemp Harr of Floor Focus and Bart Bettiga of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), will review the driving forces behind these changes, including acquisitions by private equity groups and strategic mergers among industry players. Panelists will discuss how consolidation is affecting companies of all sizes, from distributors to contractors and fabricators, highlighting the opportunities and challenges it creates across the workforce, supply chain and customer relationships. Participants will walk away with actionable knowledge about the long-term implications for competition, innovation and the future of the tile industry, providing a comprehensive perspective on one of the most transformative trends shaping the industry today.
“Those attending “Building Safe and Stylish Homes: The Role of Tile and Stone in Aging in Place” on Day 3 of Coverings 2025, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., will explore the essentials of aging in place design and how thoughtfully chosen tile and stone can enhance both safety and style in universal living spaces. This high-impact presentation, led by Sydney Hughes, CAP, founder and chief executive officer of Senior Proof, will investigate the key design principles for aging in place, focusing on selecting materials that prioritize slip-resistance, durability and comfort. Attendees will learn best practices for creating adaptable, beautiful spaces that ensure safe, comfortable living at any stage of life.
The University of Ceramic Tile and Stone (UofCTS), a Coverings 2025 educational partner, will present “How to Be a Professional Architectural Sales Rep to Develop ‘Bullet Proof’ Specifications and Get the Order,” Monday, April 28, which is the day before Coverings 2025 officially opens. UofCTS trainers Vince Moiso and Donato Pompo will present a four-hour workshop live, focusing on the fundamentals of being a professional and successful architectural sales representative.
Coverings 2025 is also partnering with The Architect’s Newspaper to bring a special edition of Facades+ to attendees, Wednesday April 30. “Facades+ Orlando” will feature a half-day program of design case studies and educational sessions by leading architects, engineers and contractors (AEC) on the latest in facades technology, materials and best practices. Attendees can earn three Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) credits from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), learn from AEC leaders, and explore materials with full access to Coverings.
Those eager to participate in the two aforesaid partner-education workshops are required to register separately and pay a fee to secure their spots by visiting a dedicated co-located sessions page on the Coverings website.
The Podcast Studio is making a highly anticipated return to Coverings 2025, offering established podcasters from the tile, stone, design and construction industries a one-of-a-kind, no-cost opportunity to record episodes live during the four-day event. Podcasters interested in participating can learn more and apply at Coverings.com/PodcastStudio before the application period closes, March 7.
Attendees are invited to drop by the Coverings 2025 Podcast Studio to experience live recordings and gain essential knowledge as podcasters create fresh episodes for their audiences. The Podcast Studio promises thought-provoking content for all showgoers, no matter their interest or preferred genre.
Coverings is North America’s premier event for the tile, stone and design industries, offering unparalleled access to education, networking and product sourcing all in one place. Prospective and registered Coverings 2025 attendees can learn more about Coverings 2025’s comprehensive educational opportunities and register to attend by visiting Coverings.com.
