The University of Ceramic Tile and Stone (UofCTS), CTDA, Fuse Alliance, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and the Terrazzo Tile & Marble Association Of Canada (TTMAC) are offering a special discount during the Coverings 2023 Global Tile & Stone Conference and Exhibition at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from April 17-21, 2023.

The list price for UofCTS online course is $150 per tuition per course. Members of CTDA, Fuse Alliance and NTCA can purchase course tuitions for $100 each. This special offer brings the cost down to just $75 each when courses are purchased through one of the respective associations. TTMAC is offering a similar offer based on their member tuition costs. Additionally, UofCTS is offering students the opportunity to purchase three course tuitions and get the fourth for free. This offer runs through April 2023. 

The UofCTS online course tuitions gives you 24/7 access for 14 days where students can come and go at their own pace. 

A four-hour live class on "How to be a Professional Architectural Sales Rep to Develop 'Bullet Proof' Specifications and Get the Order" will be held on Monday, April 17th at the Orlando Convention Center.

The Understanding the Basics of Ceramic Tile course covers:

• terminology
• usage
• how it is manufactured
• how it is installed with descriptions of all the various installation products
• how to assist customers
• professional upselling
• how to maintain tile
• professional sales techniques and tactics

The Understanding the Basics of Natural Stone course covers: 

• terminology
• the geology of the various types of stone
• usage
• how it is quarried, processed and fabricated
• how stone is installed with all of the various installation products
• how to assist customers
• professional upselling
• how to maintain natural stone

The Tile Installer Thin-set Standards (ITS) Verification course teaches installers, setters and helpers, and technical service and sales representatives industry installation standards, practices, and proper installation methods for tile applications. The course applies to ceramic tile, porcelain tile, stone tile, glass tile, gauged porcelain tile panels and other types of adhered tile materials.  

The course covers:

• how to inspect and prepare substrates
• how to achieve full thin-set contact
• how to layout and install tile for various types of applications
• how to grout with various types of grout
• how to avoid potential problems and failures 

The Complete Guide on Developing Tile & Stone Specifications with Architects course is designed for anyone doing or interested in doing architectural sales. It covers:

• how to write "bullet proof specs" (ones that can’t be easily changed)
• how to find and track projects
• how to develop relationships with architects and others to help ensure making the sale

Upon completion of the course, the student is provided with a porcelain tile specification template and a natural stone specification template. This course requires 2 tuitions for registration.

The UofCTS Certification Accreditation Program is for experienced tile and stone professionals who have a minimum of two years full time on-the-job experience within their respective tile or stone industry. The Program is an effective way to teach and update experienced industry professionals with product knowledge, industry standards, learn how to draft MasterFormat Architectural Specifications, learn proper selection and installation methods for tile and stone applications, and learn how to properly, clearly and effectively communicate with clients. 

For more on UofCTS, click here.