Through its robust program of notable and respected speakers, Coverings, which will be held Orlando, Fla., April 14 to 17, at the Orange County Convention Center, will feature successful business tactics and best practices from industry leaders—free of charge.

Educational sessions are organized into tracks for each segment of attendees—distributors, retailers, architects, designers, fabricators, contractors, builders/remodelers, as well as those professionals seeking green education—and are open to all attendees and exhibitors, based on their individual areas of interest.

The Coverings conference component is consistently ranked as one of the show’s most valuable features, and has been a critical element since its inception in 1990. The experience yields unparalleled education and, in most cases, the benefit of highly valuable CEU credits.

Among the lineup are keynote speakers Eric Astrachan, executive director of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA); Edie Cohen, deputy editor of Interior Design Magazine; Harris Rosen, president of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, and Joey Shimoda, CCO of The Shimoda Design Group.
 
Astrachan will discuss “Industry Update: Latest News on Tile Standards, Specification Issues, and Other Important Developments” on Tuesday, April 14 at 8 a.m. Back by popular demand, he will report on industry current events, including regulatory issues, consumption data, changes to standards and the TCNA Handbook. Astrachan will also discuss a host of other issues and controversies, with a focus on how they affect segments of the tile industry. The broad-spectrum update will cover latest developments from the TCNA Lab, the latest on tile and green construction and various pitfalls and liabilities to avoid. 
 
Cohen will host “Interior Design Magazine’s Hospitality Design Power Panel” on Wednesday, April 15 at 9:15 a.m. The panel will showcase top designers from Interior Design’s Top 100 Hospitality Giants, who will discuss innovations, trends and developments in hospitality design, growth sectors, and how tile and stone comes into play. Panelists will offer their insight and tips on creating inviting and innovative spaces through case studies, projects and more.
 
Shimoda will present on “The Sensuality of Surface,” on Wednesday, April 15 at noon. The Shimoda Design Group has spent more than a decade crafting spaces that celebrate the sensuality of surface. The firm specializes in creating spaces that elevate each client’s brand vision and the innovative use of surfacing materials that set a tone to deliver a focused message about culture and design. 
 
Rosen will round out the keynote sessions on Thursday, April 16 at 8 a.m. Bart Bettiga, of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and Coverings’ chairman, will sit down with Rosen for a one–on–one exclusive interview that will address the hospitality business, the design industry and his view of the future of design.
 
Each keynote session will serve a complimentary breakfast or lunch and promise to shed light on a range of topics at the forefront of industry conversation.
 
Coverings' featured sessions will be "Future Color/Design Trends: Innovation and Impact," "Secrets to Creating Remarkable Customer Experiences," "Stone Trends 2015: Designing Wellness," “Design Build Obligations: You May Not Know It, But You Own It," and "10 Best Practices to Maximize Your Store Experience & Sales."
For more information, visit coverings.com.