Informa Markets’ The International Surface Event (tise) concluded its 2026 edition at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas last week. The event brought together some of the world’s leading brands, emerging innovators and industry professionals to explore the latest products, trends and educational opportunities in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
TISE offered a range of dedicated pavilions, hands-on demonstrations and networking programs. These included:
- tise LIVE Theatre: A hub for trend presentations and educational sessions. Sessions covered retail best practices and ways to elevate beyond the competition.
- Natural Stone Theatre: Produced by the Natural Stone Institute, this pavilion highlighted the beauty and versatility of natural stone. Sessions covered sustainability in natural stone, natural stone identification and restoration.
- tise LIVE Demo Stage: Exhibitors presented live demonstrations showcasing installation techniques, product applications, detecting issues and moisture mitigation.
- The Cage: Presented by the Stone Fabricator’s Alliance (SFA), this area featured daily stone fabrication demonstrations.
- The Learning Lab: Small-format discussions focused on quartz, solid surfaces, large-format porcelain and other manufactured materials. Session topics covered healthy home trends in design and fabrication, legal updates and retaining fabricators. The Learning Lab was created in partnership with the International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA).
TISE also introduced new programs to engage retailers and distributors, including:
- Retail Roundtables: Engaging discussions on successful business strategies and market opportunities.
- Retailer Reception: Tailored specifically for retailers to connect, exchange insights and discuss the latest market trends.
- Distributor Reception: Designed for distributors to network, share industry knowledge and discover strategies for strengthening partnerships and driving success.
“The International Surface Event attracts top decision-makers and provides a comprehensive platform to gain critical insights into the future of the market,” stated Dana Hicks, group director of tise. “From uncovering emerging trends to connecting with the innovators and leaders who help shape business strategies, this event empowers professionals to stay ahead of the curve, prepare for the future and gain the right resources and connections to drive their organizations forward.”
Drawing a crowd at the show was this year’s National Installer of the Year Competition in partnership with CFI (Certified Flooring Installers). Eight finalists competed in the final round of installation challenges, with James Salisbury crowned the winner in carpet and returning champ Allen Lewis winning in engineered wood.
A variety of unique experiences took place in the expo hall. Show Floor Tours focused on key themes such as stone & wine, color trends, tools, Made in the USA products and kitchen & bath innovations. Top trends included eco-friendly materials, pet-friendly surfaces, wall tiles, polishing tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI) software.
TISE will return to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Feb. 1-4, 2027. For more information, visit www.intlsurfaceevent.com.
