National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Announces Itinerary for Coverings 2024

The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) has announced its itinerary for Coverings 2024, April 22 to 25 at booth 7914

Live Demonstrations
The NTCA training team will conduct live demonstrations of cutting-edge tile installation techniques, showcasing the latest tools and technologies to enhance efficiency and quality on the Installation Innovation Stage, space C7863, with demos conducted by NTCA technical trainers Matt Welner and NTCA training director Mark Heinlein including:

Monday, April 22, 2024

• 10:10 am – 10:40 am: Silica Safety and Awareness – Is this still a thing? 
• 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Diamond Tools – Proper Selection for Performance and Safe Use 
• 4:50 pm – 5:20 pm: Dust Management – Equipment for Working Cleanly and Safely 

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

11:40 am – 12:10 pm:
Handles for Tile – Tools to Hold and Set Tiles While Saving Our Hands, Fingers and Backs

4:10 pm – 4:40 pm:
Job Site Awareness and Safety Plans for Tile Contractors and Installers 

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

• 10:40 am – 11:10 am: Lightweight Materials – Less Weight Can Save Time and Backs 
• 1:30 pm – 2:10 pm:  Profiles – Methods and Tools for Safe, Accurate Cutting and Installation of Profile and Trim Systems for Tile Installations 

Educational Seminars

Coverings attendees can participate in NTCA-led educational seminars, covering a wide range of topics including tile installation best practices and industry trends. Bart Bettiga, Executive Director of NTCA will moderate a number of sessions including:

Monday, April 22

11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Small Contractor Success Stories: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities, Location: GWCC B/C, B308

Tuesday, April 23

8:00 am – 9:00 am: Economic Forecast: The State of the Tile Market, Location: GWCC B/C, B312

Wednesday, April 24

9:30 am – 10:30 am: Empowering Designers and Specifiers: Tackling Tile Installation Challenges and Embracing Cutting-Edge Materials, Location: GWCC B/C, B312

Lesley Goddin, editorial director and senior writer of TileLetter, TileLetter ARTISAN and TileLetter.com will lead an all-women panel on April 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: Women Talking at GWCC B/C, B312.

NTCA Contractor Tours

Join the NTCA for a tour of the latest tools, equipment, and allied products on the show floor. Learn from manufacturers as you discover new products and services to streamline and elevate job. These hour-long tours, led by NTCA’s Jim Olson, will depart from The Outdoor Oasis at 11:00 am on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so sign up at the Outdoor Oasis ASAP Monday morning. 

Tech Talks

Join NTCA in Booth 7914 for Tech Talks, where you’ll have the opportunity to review a variety of topics and interact with industry experts. These 30-minute sessions are your chance to ask questions, share insights, and connect with like-minded professionals. Hosted by the NTCA Training team, these discussions promise to be both informative and engaging.

Monday, April 22

• 1:00  – 1:30pm: Acceptable joint widths for Natural, Calibrated, Rectified and other types of tile.
• 3:30 – 4:00pm: Technical Training and Professional Development

Tuesday, April 23

• 12:30 – 1:00 pm: LFT = > 23″ and conforms to ANSI A137.1 Is it easier to install?
• 3:00 – 3:30 pm: Selecting the appropriate adhesive for a tile installation.

Wednesday, April 24

• 12:30 – 1:00 pm: How important is substrate preparation?
• 3:00 – 3:30 pm: Should a shower be flood tested before tiling?

Additional Learning Opportunities at Coverings

In addition, NTCA members will participate in panel presentations, addressing residential and commercial tile installation as part of planned conference sessions. The following Artisan Stage events will take place at Hall C, booth 7259.

Monday, April 22 12:30 – 1:15 p.m:-
NTCA past president Martin Brookes will interview world renowned UK Mosaic Artist David Arnott at the Artisan Stage.

Monday April 22, 2:00 – 2:30 p.m:-
CTEF Academic Director Scott Carothers will give a presentation on Encaustic Tile at the Artisan Stage.

Tuesday, April 23, 12 noon – 1:00 p.m:-
A group of artisan tile setter graduates from the inaugural NTCA and Laticrete-sponsored Artisans Revolution in Tile Training last year will discuss their experience at the training and the doors it has opened up for them. 

Tuesday, April 23, 1:30 – 2 p.m:-
CTEF Academic Director Scott Car others will give a presentation on Encaustic Tile at the Artisan Stage

NTCA Awards

All are welcome to join NTCA for the NTCA/TCNA Awards presentation on April 24 at 5:30 pm.