Apr 16 2007
The upcoming Coverings schedule is jam-packed, say the organisers. The opening ceremony is Tuesday 17 April, 8:30am, when the US$37,000 in Spectrum and Prism Award prize money is presented for outstanding architectural projects featuring tile and stone, followed by the keynote address by Bernard Markstein III, the top economic forecaster for the National Association of Home Builders.
There are 75 other free conference sessions throughout the show, most CEU-accredited, plus live installation demonstrations on the floor. The show itself is comprised of 1,200 exhibitors from more than 50 countries. In fact, there are 10 pavilions themed by country, plus an entire Art Tile Village dedicated to the independent artisans and world of handmade tiles. All told, there’s more than 500,000 net square feet of exhibition space.
Yet as much as there is to cover at Coverings, each evening - with or without a break in between - untold numbers of the 33,000 guests will progress on to that next series of after-hours events and activities, taking full advantage of the business-building potential.
“In choosing Chicago for this year’s show, we upped the ante on entertainment venues, restaurants and culture for our Coverings guests which everyone is appreciating,” said Tamara Christian, CEO of National Trade Productions. “Because the show concludes on a Friday afternoon, many are bringing their families and electing to stay on through the weekend, because there’s so much to do here.”