ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The westward move to Las Vegas made by Coverings 2011 paid off, according to National Trade Productions (NTP), the show's management. One of the key objectives in shifting to the new first-time venue this year was to attract more attendees from the West Coast where tile and stone have always found a receptive market. Indeed, there was a 71% increase in attendees from the West Coast states, including a massive increase from California alone as well as an 82% increase from the Rocky Mountain region states. Overall attendance was pegged at 19,000, a slight dip from 2010, with more than 800 exhibitors lining the aisles -- including 100 first-time exhibitors.

Another inarguable measure of the show's success is the rate at which exhibitors are renewing for Coverings 2012, which will be held from April 17 to 20 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, reports NTP. This year, for the first time, Coverings offered on-site space selection for next year, and 90% of space already has been contracted. In fact, the floor has been expanded to keep up with the demands of those interested in exhibiting.

"Consensus was that there was a solid return on taking Coverings to Las Vegas," said Jennifer Hoff, President of Events for NTP. "We now need to capitalize on the base of West Coast attendees we attracted and figure out how to retain them as returnees as we move forward over the coming decade."

Another final figure coming out of Coverings 2011 was that more than 500,000 pounds of surplus and used tile and stone were ultimately diverted from the dumpsters thanks to the show's collaboration with Tile Partners for Humanity (TPFH). Collected from exhibitors after the build of their displays and at the conclusion of the show, these discards are being "recycled" for use in Habitat for Humanity and other worthy building projects undertaken by non-profit community organizations and public agencies benefitting the disadvantaged nationwide. TPFH was aided in the collection by Mountain Re-Source Center.