The Mandalay Bay Convention Center is filled with a familiar buzz, as the flooring industry celebrates the return of TISE in-person, happening today through Friday, June 18.

Health and safety is top of mind, says show director Dana Hicks, as displayed in serval ways, including the show’s contactless registration, temperature checks and enhanced cleaning procedures.

Though there are some new practices and procedures on the show floor, one thing that attendees are happy to see has remained the same is TISE’s positioning as the largest North American floor covering, stone and tile industry event.

“Everyone comes to the show to see the latest trends, the latest looks, the latest SKUs—it’s a very tactile industry—we will still continue present that to everyone that comes,” said Hicks.

Another welcomed return is the show’s annual installation competition, which this year features 20 finalists across categories. Of those finalists, only four will be advance to compete for the winning title of National Installer of the Year at next year’s show, set to take place in February.

There’s an undeniable excitement in the room as attendees and exhibitors reconnect in-person, many for the first time in more than 15 months. “People are just dying to shake hands, to see their friends, to see their colleagues, to do some business in person,” Hicks notes.

TISE is also hosting a virtual edition of the show concurrently for those unable to attend in-person, which features special guest speakers, an education program, product demos, booth visits and a virtual competition room where the progress of the installation competition can be followed in real-time.

Stay tuned to TalkFloor for daily updates and show-related news.