HomeLatest NewsCoverings Announces Programming and Activations for Upcoming Show

Coverings Announces Programming and Activations for Upcoming Show

Coverings, North Americaโ€™s international tile and stone showcase and educational conference, has shared an expansive lineup of new and returning programming and activations for the annual show, set for March 30 to April 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Nearly 25,000 showgoers will gather to see the latest tile and stone, tools and equipment including technologies geared toward architects, designers, contractors, installers, stone fabricators, builders, remodelers, distributors, retailers and other industry professionals.

Attendees will be able to explore global pavilions hosted by leading tile associations and product manufacturers from 40 countries. Also featured will be a range of onsite activations, guided and audio show floor tours, live demonstrations and other interactive programs.

โ€œCoverings 2026 offers a creative and comprehensive mix of immersive programming and industry-focused activities designed to benefit the international tile and stone community,โ€ said Jamie Rich, Coverings managing director. โ€œFrom live installations to workshops only available at Coverings, attendees will have a broad selection of skill-building and networking-focused opportunities to optimize growth for their businesses.โ€

The Coverings Lounge (Booth # 6014), a hub to relax, network with peers, gain professional knowledge and attend happy hours with prize giveaways, will be home to the Trends & Solutions Stage for the second year in a row. Afternoon happy hours will take place March 30 through April 1, with the added bonus of giveaways from National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA)-member companies and vendors, March 31 and April 1 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

A highlight of The Coverings Lounge this year will be the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) exhibit. Students enrolled in the senior-level Architectural Design Studio course for the spring 2026 semester will be designing and installing tiled furniture. The finished suite will include tables, chairs and lamps to form a lounge-study grotto within The Coverings Lounge, featuring six to nine mosaic-tiled furniture pieces created in subdued earth tones.

โ€œThis is the third time Coverings has collaborated with the UNLV School of Architecture, and it is always so impressive and inspiring to see the creative designs the students conceptualize and plan,โ€ said Rich. โ€œWeโ€™re fortunate enough to have members and trainers from the NTCA, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) and select other partners provide instruction and support for the students throughout the semester and expose young talent to the world of tile and stone. The furniture the students create will be prominently displayed on the UNLV campus following the event.โ€

Sponsors of the UNLV student collaboration with Coverings include QEP Co Inc., Arizona Tile, wedi Corp. and MAPEI Corp.

The Coverings Lounge will also host the 2026 Rock Stars & Coverings Champions Awards Ceremony, honoring the 12th class of Coverings Rock Stars and second annual Champion honorees. The ceremony will take place March 30 from 4 to 5 p.m., recognizing the Rock Stars as tile and stone industry young leaders and Champions for their commitment to Coverings over the years.

The Artisan Showcase (Booth # 4721), a dedicated space on the show floor to discover one-of-a-kind decorative and handmade tiles and celebrate the artisan community, is returning and will offer engaging daily demos, workshops and displays. Following its success in 2025, the interactive mosaic tile coaster-making activation will be available to showgoers all four days of the show. Live demos from artisans along with artisan tile concept boards and information about the Tile Heritage Foundation (THF) can also be found at the Artisan Showcase.

Attendees will also have access to Coverings 2026โ€™s three show floor stages to gain knowledge on a range of relevant tile and stone industry topics. Industry leaders will share their insights on emerging trends, business best practices, live โ€œhow-toโ€ demonstrations and more.

The Trends & Solutions Stage (Booth # 6014), located within The Coverings Lounge, will feature exhibitors and industry professionals discussing the latest developments in the tile and stone marketplace.

The Installation Innovation Stage (Booth # 4676), one of the most popular features at Coverings, will showcase live demonstrations led by NTCA and Tile Council of North America (TCNA) staff and members, allowing visitors to learn new techniques to make tile and stone installation more successful and how to install an array of new products.

The Fabricator Stage (Booth # 7675), in collaboration with the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) and Latin American Fabricators Network (LAFN), will offer short, engaging presentationsโ€“some in Spanishโ€“from experts in the stone and fabrication industry. The presentations, centered around trending fabrication topics, will provide attendees with key takeaways and industry perspectives. Happy hours at the Fabricator Stage will happen March 30 through April 1 at 3:30 p.m.

The Stone Fabricatorโ€™s Alliance (SFA) Cage (Booth # 7597) will also return. The SFA Cage will feature daily demonstrations on a wide variety of fabrication topics, including how to work with and fabricate large format tiles and gauged porcelain panels that continue to grow in popularity. Attendees can connect with fellow fabricators and others during happy hours, beginning at 3:30 p.m., March 30 through April 1.

The Galvanize Lounge (Room C102) is a hub for all Coverings attendees to connect, celebrate and draw inspiration from women in the tile and stone industry. Unique activities will take place throughout the show in the Galvanize Lounge, including a headshot lounge. Supported by leading womenโ€™s industry organizations, the lounge is an inclusive space that encourages community-building. The space also will host the Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards Ceremony & Reception, March 31 at 4:30 p.m.

Mindfulness Workshops will be hosted in the Galvanize Lounge and the Trends & Solutions Stage by Gianna Vallefuoco, co-owner of Vallefuoco Contractors, an NTCA board member and founder of Disability Inclusion Guild. These โ€œHealth & Wellnessโ€ sessions, with topics including โ€œIntention Settingโ€ and โ€œMoment to Arrive,โ€ will help attendees learn practical techniques for maintaining mental fitness in their workplaces.

A selection of guided and self-paced show floor tours will give attendees other ways to discover the latest products and innovations. The popular Contractor Tours, led by NTCA members, will give tour participants a chance to discover the latest tools, equipment and allied products, and learn directly from manufacturers. These one-hour guided tours will begin at The Coverings Lounge at 11 a.m., March 30 through April 1, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Coverings will also again offer a Contractor Tour en Espaรฑol for Spanish-speaking professionals to engage directly with exhibitors. NTCA will lead the tour, March 31, from 2 to 3 p.m., departing from The Coverings Lounge. Early arrival is recommended as spots are limited.

Additionally, Coverings will offer Audio Tours for those interested in a self-guided, flexible option. Attendees can explore the show floor at their own pace and choose from four audio tour options: โ€œReimagining Porcelain,โ€ โ€œTile & Stone Technology,โ€ โ€œOutdoor Living Spacesโ€ and โ€œStone Trends & Fabrication.โ€ Each audio tour will showcase noteworthy tile and stone displays and key exhibitors, allowing attendees to personalize their experiences based on their interests.

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