Coverings is offering an array of networking events for its professional attendees to forge relationships and develop new business opportunities. The expo returns to Las Vegas for its 25th anniversary, April 29 to May 2, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with its education program beginning Monday, April 28.

The series of networking opportunities take place every day at the show, from curated tours to happy hours and design celebrations, there are numerous ways to connect. In addition to the highly anticipated 25th anniversary after-hours party on Wednesday, April 30 at Hyde Bellagio, the lineup includes:

Social Media Lounges: Take a break from the floor, re-charge yourself – and your devices – and socialize with colleagues in-person or online in the two Social Media Lounges located in Booths 16092 and L16070. While you’re there, take part in the Coverings “selfie” challenge, inspired by the new creative campaign for Coverings 2015. 

Tweetup: The social media fun continues on Wednesday, April 30, as the annual event makes its return at 5 p.m. at the Installation Design Showcase, booth 16097. Coverings attendees with a Twitter account are encouraged to stop by the special happy hour conversation that brings together industry influencers along with the participants of the Showcase for a special installation and design celebration. The show recommends that attendees use the hashtag #Coverings2014 to aggregate posts from the Tweetup, allowing those unable to attend to contribute to the conversation.

Art, Architecture & Design Month Celebration: As a proud partner of the Southern Nevada Art & Design Collaborative, Coverings will host the closing event for the first annual Art, Architecture & Design Month, featuring a presentation from Randy Fiser, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Society of Interior Designers, followed by a cocktail reception. Fiser’s presentation will take place on Wednesday, April 30 from 4–5 p.m. in room S232, with the reception running from 5–6 p.m. at the Installation Design Showcase. All attendees must be at the show prior to 5:30 p.m.

Contractor Tours/Lounge: An annual must-attend opportunity will take place Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday, May 1 on the show floor. Nine, one-hour Contractor Tours will be held, and sign-ups are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Contractors may sign-up for a tour when registering online for Coverings. On Wednesday and Thursday, additional networking opportunities for contractors take place during the free lunches and happy hours in the Contractor Lounge, booth 16087. 

Installation Design Showcase Session and Reception:  On Thursday, May 1 from 4–5 p.m. attendees can meet and mingle with the Las Vegas-area design teams and NTCA Five Star Contractors who collaborated to build the stunning vignettes. During this one-hour, interactive session, the Showcase participants will discuss their design inspiration and detail the four unique spaces in the showcase—an indoor courtyard; a sustainable, accessible bath; a bar; and a retail space. A champagne toast and reception will take place in the Showcase, booth 16097, immediately following the Installation Design Showcase Deconstructed conference session and last until 5:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to use the hashtag #CoveringsIDS.

Distributor Lounge: New this year, Coverings will offer a Distributor Lounge in booth 16080, providing a spacious and relaxing area on the show floor exclusively for tile + stone distributors. It’s the perfect place to hold a meeting, connect to the complimentary WiFi, and network with other like-minded professionals. 

Happy Hours: Back by popular demand, afternoon happy hours will be taking place on the show floor Tuesday April 29 through Thursday, May 1 from 4–5:30 p.m. Bars will be located in the Tile Council of North America booth 9061, the Installation Design Showcase and the ground level Social Media Lounge. Grab a beverage and make new connections!

The SFA and the Stone Zone Happy Hours: On Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday, May 1 from 3–5:30 p.m., fabricators and other stone professionals can gather and network in the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA) Cage, booth L2155. The SFA Cage will also feature daily demonstrations on topics ranging from “antique finishing the face and edge detail” to “honing techniques for marble and granite.”

Learn more about the show’s networking opportunities, and register to attend Coverings for free, at coverings.com.