Atlanta hosts Coverings 2013

Coverings 2013, the pre-eminent American show devoted to ceramic tile and natural stone, begins today, Monday 29 April. Held for the first time in the Georgia World Congress in Atlanta, the exhibition will run until 2 May and is hosting a number of country pavilions. Alongside the American pavilion organised by the Tile Council of America (TCNA), the largest country delegations are the Italian and Spanish pavilions, respectively under the banners of Ceramics of Italy and Tile of Spain.

Located inside the Ceramics of Italy pavilion, the Confindustria Ceramica stand is coordinating the participation of 65 Italian companies in cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Trade and also serves as an info and meeting point for exhibitors and visitors. Created by e+i studio, the 280 square metre stand uses tiles from Atlas Concorde, Ceramiche Caesar, Emilceramica, Fioranese, Floor Gres, Lea Ceramiche and Marazzi. Installation products from Mapei and Fila Industria Ceramica have also been used. Piazza Italia is also hosting numerous complementary initiatives, beginning with the Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition to be held on 30 April during the international press conference. Now in its 20th edition, the competition honours residential projects carried through by North American architects using Italian tiles in new and innovative ways. The winner of the North American Distributor Award, Ceramic Tiles of Italy is also sponsoring the fourth edition of The Installation Design Showcase.

Spanish ceramic excellence is being showcased in a country pavilion organised by ASCER and hosting 43 companies under the banner of Tile of Spain. A wide range of sustainable products with advanced design are on display together with the initiatives held in the Spanish pavilion. Highlights include two seminars led by Ryan Fasan entitled The Complimentary Paradigm and  Connect the Dots, which will offer industry professionals ideas and guidance on the world of ceramic tiles, including spaces, trends, colours and a customer focus.