This increase -- a sign that bodes well for the near-term outlook of this segment -- came despite widespread economic worries and a relatively flat flooring market. Held May 6 through 9, the show featured hundreds of displays from producers of tile and stone and related products, as well as the debut of the International Flooring Exposition (IFE), which featured a variety of wood and rubber flooring materials, laminates, rugs, and other non-tile products.
Another notable exhibit was the Pavilion of Spain -- sponsored by ICEX, Spain's Institute for Foreign Trade, and ASCER, the Association of Tile Manufacturers of Spain -- which was honored with the Best in Show Award. Each day at lunchtime, throngs of hungry visitors drew to the towering Spanish pavilion to sample the region's famous paella and wine.