'Appreciation Days' Returning to Coverings

Coverings, which will be held April 14 to 17 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., is returning with "Appreciation Days," which will feature tailored programming for specific attendee segments, including architects, designers, fabricators, contractors, builders and remodelers.

Comprised of guided tours of the show floor and focused education sessions, the Appreciation Days will provide participants with opportunities to further their knowledge alongside fellow industry members during Coverings, according to show organizers.

Participants of each Appreciation Day will have access to a designated lounge, providing a space dedicated to networking and relaxing during the show. Additionally, all registered participants of Coverings’ Appreciation Days will be offered complimentary lunches and numerous opportunities to network with other professionals during their respective day.

“Each attendee segment is important to Coverings and their attendance is appreciated, so we are continually searching for ways to enhance their show experience,” said Karin Fendrich, Coverings' show director. “Appreciation Days not only allow us to celebrate the diverse range of Coverings’ attendees, but also provide them with curated educational and networking opportunities.”

Dates and programming highlights for the Appreciation Days are as follows:

•Builder & Remodeler Day will take place April 14, and feature roundtable discussions in English and Spanish over lunch in the Appreciation Lounge, facilitated by the Hispanic Contractors Association of the Carolinas (in Spanish) and the Florida Home Builders Association, focused on current trends in the builder and remodeler industry in the Southeast market. In addition, guided tours of the show floor will take place at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., starting and ending at the Appreciation Lounge.

•Architect & Designer Day is April 15 and begins with breakfast at 9:15 a.m. with Interior Design Magazine’s Hospitality Design Power Panel, moderated by Edie Cohen, deputy editor. Lunch will be provided during Joey Shimoda’s noon keynote session where he will present “The Sensuality of Surface,” sponsored by Contract Magazine. In addition, specifier attendees are encouraged to attend the Featured Session presented by Randy Fiser, American Society of Interior Designers' executive vice president and CEO, who will discuss “Designing Wellness.” Between the education programming, facilitated tours of the show floor will take place at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., leaving from the Appreciation Lounge.

•Contractor Days will span two days, April 15 and 16. On these days, the National Tile Contractors Association will host roundtable discussions over lunch in the Contractor Lounge. Discussions will be divided into residential and commercial contracting interests and are open to all experience levels. The Contractor Days also feature eight, one-hour guided tours of the show floor and happy hours with prize giveaways in the lounge in the afternoon.

• Fabricator Day will take place on April 16, featuring several roundtables over lunch in the Appreciation Lounge on key topics, including, “CEU Immersion Class | Providing CEUs to Architects & Interior Designers Using MIA’s Turn-Key Program,” “How to Handle Wastewater in a Fabrication Setting,” and “Perspectives in Benchmarking.” “Stone Zone Passports” will also be available at registration and in the Lounge for fabricators to use as a map and guide to exploring the dozens of exhibitors located in the machinery and allied products area of the Coverings show floor.

To learn more about conferences, programs, exhibitors and special events planned for Coverings, visit coverings.com.

KEYWORDS: flooring industry news