Marking NAFCD's co-sponsorship of Coverings 2001 are (from left) Sergio Sassi of Assopiastrelle, TCA board member Peter Johnson of Summitville Tile, NAFCD president Hoy Lanning of CMH Flooring Products, and ASCER secretary general Pedro Riaza.

"Our distributor members are looking to grow their ceramic tile business, and to develop new relationships with other manufacturers in order to broaden their selection of products," said Hoy Lanning, NAFCD president. "From Coverings' standpoint, they are looking to the NAFCD to help connect with even more distributors and manufacturers."

"This is a key co-sponsorship that further strengthens Coverings' position as the top ceramic tile and natural stone expo in the world," added William J. "Skip" Mason, president of TSI Inc., the company that organizes Coverings. "(NAFCD's support) broadens our reach to include many more exhibitors and attendees."

With more than 75 educational sessions, the theme for the Covering's 2001 program is Vision 2001: the Global Forum for Ceramic Tile and Natural Stone. Designed to enhance personal development and growth in the floor and wall covering industry, Coverings attracted a record 5,655 participants during last year's show.

Other co-sponsors of Coverings 2001 include the Tile Contractors' Association of America (TCA), the Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC), the Louisiana Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the South-Central Region of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the Gulf States Region of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Louisiana District Chapter.

Coverings will take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. More information may be obtained by via telephone at (877) 566-0600, via e-mail at info@coverings.com or via the World Wide Web at www.coverings.com.