COVERINGS 2016, ANOTHER BIG SUCCESS

Entering the official site of Coverings exhibition the first title which every visitor can see is ‘ Thank You for Another Great Show ‘. And they are right.

As the organizers state at the post show report:

‘The growth and energy at the 2016 Coverings show strengthened the show’s position as the leading international tile and stone exhibition in North America. More than 25,000 industry professionals, involved in the building materials and construction industry, attended the week-long expo, April 18-21, 2016. This figure is an increase in overall attendance from the 2015 show, and to industry insiders, affirms positive movement in the tile and stone market’.

coverings 2016 attendance

REMARKABLE ATTENDANCE

The 25,000-attendance count is a remarkable 15-percent increase from 2009, the last year Coverings was held in Chicago. This year’s most impressive attendance segment is held by distributors, which increased by a noteworthy 18-percent since 2009.

Coverings exhibition is the top event in North America, about the walls and floors covering materials and services industry, presenting natural stones from all over the world, the accompanying innovative products, machinery and tools.

PRODUCTS DISPLAYED

There was a wide range of products presented during the show: marble, granite, ceramic, limestone, quarry, quartzite, flooring, cutting, carving, fabricating and cleaning equipment. Also, kitchen and bath accessories, installation materials and tools, display systems.

THE VENUE

The 2016 exhibition took place from April 18 till April 21, in McCormick Place Convention Center. McCormick Place considered as the largest convention center in the USA, is located in 2301 South Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, close to the Lake Michigan. The events organized there, especially trade shows and professional meetings, attract over three million visitors annually. The owner of the Center is the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority of Chicago (MPEA).

EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

In Coverings 2016 participated 1,179 exhibitors from 41 countries ( Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Mexico, Norway, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam ).

The 25,000 commercial visitors included architects, designers, decision makers, installers, builders as well as wholesalers, fabricators, distributors and retailers.

BACK IN TIME

The exhibition started its successful way, back in 1990 in Anaheim, California. As the organizers describe, in 1990 the Tile Expo and The World Exposition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings merged, creating The International Tile Exposition, which became the International Tile and Stone Exhibition and finally Coverings. In 2014 in Las Vegas, the exhibition celebrated its 25th anniversary, which means that the one of 2016, is the 27th period of the show.

The Coverings exhibition of 2015 was held in Orlando, Florida and the number of visitors was increased about 10 % compared with the 2014 show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2015 show hosted 1,094 exhibitors from 41 countries.

Fifth Annual Coverings Installation and Design (Cid) Awards Recognize Excellence in Tile and Stone Projects

Coverings offered an extensive conference program with more than 75 sessions and CEU courses. There was also the CID Awards ceremony on the first day of the exhibition, April 18, 2016. The CID Awards, as the organizers note, celebrate outstanding achievements in the design and installation of tile and stone in both residential and commercial projects.

As it is referred at the post show report ‘Fifteen outstanding projects demonstrating spectacular craftsmanship and creativity in the use of tile and stone materials were recognized in the fifth annual Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards. An independent panel of judges, comprised of notable industry writers, leading designers, installation experts, and representatives from Ceramics of Italy, the Tile Council of North America, Tile of Spain and National Tile Contractors Association, utilized a blind judging format to evaluate each submissions’ technical execution and installation, and the inspired and original use of materials in the design’s aesthetic. The winning projects were honored, and $20,000 of award money was distributed, during the 2016 CID Awards & Opening Night Celebration on Monday, April 18 at McCormick Place in Chicago’.