The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) is sponsoring a multitude of installer and contractor events at Coverings 2018, which will take place May 8 to 11at the Georgia World Center in Atlanta, Ga.

The Live Installation Demonstration Stage, located at booth #7201, will showcase new products and information about emerging installation products and trends. According to NTCA's executive director, Bart Bettiga, "Contractors will learn new techniques, ultimately making their tile and stone installations even more successful. And, the NTCA will be conducting seven individual programs at the installation stage. These will include how-to 'live' and interactive sessions."

Activities scheduled include four educational sessions: “On the Trail,” “Scaling the Cliff,” “At the Summit,” and “All Things Wild.” On the Trail: On Ground Exterior Installations & Environmental Management (Sun, Water, Temperature, Structural Movement) will be presented on Tuesday, May 8 at noon and Wednesday, May 9 at 1:20 p.m. Scaling the Cliff: Exterior Vertical Installations & Environmental & Structural Management (Sun, Water, Temperature, Structural Movement) will be hosted on Tuesday at 3 p.m. and Thursday, May 10 at 1:30 p.m. At the Summit: Approved Methods & New Technology in the Installations of Tile Balcony & Roof Deck Installations will be held Wednesday at 11:50 a.m. and Thursday at 4:10 p.m. All Things Wild: Review of Exterior Installations - Floors, Walls, Balcony/Roof Decks will be on Friday, May 11 at 11:10 a.m.

NTCA Five Star Contractors will be participating in the Installation Design Showcase featuring “tiny houses,” located at booth #8804, Hall C. They will be working closely with top design teams, with a collective goal to bring to life, right on the show floor, the synergy that develops between design team​s​ and installation contractor​s. This showcase will illustrate exactly what happens when innovative design concepts are paired​ with highly trained installers.

The Installation Experience debuts this year (Hall C, booth #8401), allowing show attendees to experience firsthand, numerous types of tile installations implemented by​ ​qualified​ ​labor. ​Interactive sessions will showcase today's best practices relative to a multitude of distinctive tile installations.

All contractor attendees are invited to join the NTCA at the Contractor and Dealer Lounge, located in booth #8201, where they can network and engage in education sessions critical to the tile business. On Wednesday and Thursday, guests can take advantage of a customized tour of the show floor starting at 11 a.m. with lunch. Tours are first-come, first-serve and sign up is at the Contractor and Dealer Lounge during the show. Daily giveaways, educational videos and more will be happening each day at this location, including “Happy Hours” starting at 3 p.m.

Winners of the 2018 Coverings Installation and Design (CID) Awards, which ​honor outstanding achievements in design and installation of tile and stone, will be announced at a reception/ceremony on Wednesday, May 9, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., in Room B401. The CID Awards celebrate creativity and technical know-how in the use of tile and stone​, and outstanding achievements in design, both residential and commercial. Projects are judged and awarded separately on technical installation and design, as well as international design, sustainable design and sustainable installation techniques. The installer and designer of prize-winning projects each will receive up to $3,000​.

“Coverings 2018 is a vital part of the NTCA’s strategy,” said Bettiga. “It is the heavyweight event on the industry calendar;​ we are proud to be an integral part of its success. Our continued participation in the multitude of daily show experiences exemplifies and solidifies our commitment not only to NTCA members​, but ​also,​ to the industry as a whole.”

For more information, visit www.tile-assn.com.