With an estimated 125,000 housing industry professionals in Las Vegas for Design & Construction Week (DCW), the energy and excitement was clearly visible at The International Surface Event (TISE), held at Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Informa Exhibitions U.S. officials reported that Surfaces|StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas|TileExpo experienced attendance comparable to the 2014 show with a steady flow of visitors from the International Builders’ Show (IBS), Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE) and Las Vegas Market. TISE attracted an increased number of architects and designers, an audience segment that accounted for nearly 7% of all registrants.
This year’s show attracted exhibitors and attendees from over 80 countries with significant representation from global markets such as Mexico, China, Australia, Japan and Italy. A total of 707 exhibiting companies showcased their products and services on two floors of the convention center covering around 350,000 total square-feet. About 22% of the exhibiting companies were new participants to the show. Exhibitors presented a wide range of new products and services, demonstrated tools and equipment, and introduced innovative technologies that are leading the way in revolutionizing the industry.
“The International Surface Event was one of the strongest in recent history,” said Dana Teague, vice president with Informa Exhibitions U.S. “The synergy from having five shows taking place the same week provided substantial new business opportunities for both exhibitors and attendees.”
Brooke Hilbrand, vice president of sales and merchandising for Columbo’s Floors to Go in Jenison, Mich., said, “I consider TISE to be one of the best places to look for direction in our industry. Whether it’s upcoming trends, new product development or networking, this event exposes it all. I always return from the show feeling inspired and motivated for the new year.”
Attendance at the TISE education program experienced a significant double-digit increase with over 25% of the total audience registering for sessions offered during the show. “We constantly re-evaluate our education program in order to deliver the most relevant topics facing our industry,” stated Jennifer Hughes, education manager for The International Surface Event. “We were extremely pleased to see so many attendees make education a priority in 2015. We feel it will only continue to grow.”
The call for speaker presentations for TISE 2016 will open on Feb. 16 and submissions are due by March 13.
“Overall, we’re very pleased with the outcome of the 2015 event,” added Teague. “We enacted new strategies and marketing programs, brought new features to the show floor, added numerous education opportunities and established a great partnership between TISE and the DCW events. Plans are already formulating to make 2016 bigger and better."
TISE 2016 will be held Jan. 20 to 22 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, in conjunction with DCW 2016. The TISE education program will be held Jan. 19 to 22.
TISE East will be held Nov. 3 to 5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The education program will be held Nov. 2 to 5.
For more information, visit TISEwest.com and TISEeast.com.
