"Now more than ever, the design community is committed to going green," said Karin Fendrich, Show Director of Coverings. "To help encourage excellence among the various segments who attend -- architects, designers, contractors and installers, distributors, retailers, builders and fabricators -- and emphasize that tile and stone can contribute to ecological innovation, we are expanding our programming. Our initiatives are intended to help bring greater clarity on how sustainability can be incorporated into everyday business practices and add value when it comes to the bottom line."
Green programming
Coverings show-goers who are invested in learning the latest in sustainable design will find worthwhile professional payoffs. For instance, those who attend at least four or more of the designated conference sessions will qualify for a Certificate of Completion in the Coverings Green Certificate Program. All told, there are eight sessions to choose from, with options offered each day except Friday. (See the full green track schedule below; not all sessions qualify for the Coverings Green Certificate Program.)
PROJECT: Greenis another way thatCoverings is calling attention to the value and attainability of successful sustainable design. Presented together with Environmental Design + Construction magazine, owned by BNP Media and a sister publication of Stone World and Contemporary Stone & Tile Design, this initiative salutes stone and tile projects demonstrating innovative use of green building materials and products that have achieved ecological excellence. Worthy installations will be honored in a display at Coverings Central, a new interactive zone located in the middle of the action on the expo floor. Moreover, the projects can provide inspiration and fuel the imagination of other architects and designers, installers and contractors on ways to incorporate tile and stone in their green projects. Visit www.coverings.com/project_green to learn more.
Coverings' commitment to sustainability stretches well beyond the show floor. To avoid wasting the materials and products collected from exhibitors and displays at the conclusion of the show, Coverings will donate the massive amount of discards to Tile Partners for Humanity. This non-profit "recycles" building essentials for use in Habitat for Humanity and other worthy non-profit community projects benefitting the disadvantaged. Last year, more than 500,000 pounds of surplus of used tile and stone were salvaged thanks to this unique collaboration between Coverings and Tile Partners for Humanity.
"Green Track" seminar sessions
Coverings 2012 features the most comprehensive and dynamic lineup of "Green Track" sessions yet. All are free to attend, with high-caliber experts and authorities headlining.
Date: Tuesday, April 17
Time: 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Session: Ceramic Tile: An Eco-Logical Solution
Speaker: Ryan Fasan, a design consultant and partner of Professional Attention to Tile Installations
Summary: This session will explore the many natural benefits ceramic tile provides as a cladding material and how it currently fits within green building platforms.
Date: Wednesday, April 18
Time: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Session: Green Squared -- The New Definition of "Green" Tile
Speakers: Bill Griese, Standards Development and Green Initiative Manager for the Tile Council of North America,and Dan Marvin, Director of Quality Assurance and Technical Services for Florida Tile
Summary: This session will outline the new standard for ceramic tile systems as developed by the ANSI 138.1 committee.
Date: Wednesday, April 18
Time: 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Session: Going Green. Going Global.
Summary: This sessionwill unite foreign and domestic industry members from ASCER, Confindustria Ceramica and Tile Council of North America to explain worldwide environmental efforts pertinent to tile. Attendees will gain a better understanding of green building standards around the world and different steps being taken by the tile associations to address global needs for "green" tiles.
Date: Wednesday, April 18
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Session: PROJECT: Green -- Sustainable Tile and Stone
Moderator: Derrick Teal, Editor of ED+C magazine
Summary: This session will bring together representatives from the selected projects to discuss how they successfully used sustainable tile and stone in their residential, commercial or institutional installations.
Date: Wednesday, April 18
Time: 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Session: Successfully Selling Green in a Crowded Competitive Marketplace
Speaker: Fred Jackson, a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) who has over 15 years experience in national distribution and consulting for stone and tile companies
Summary: This sessionwill offer expert tips on how to sell your products and your business to eco-minded consumers.
Date: Wednesday, April 18
Time: 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Session: Sustainability for Dimensional Stone: Quarry Operations and Processing
Speakers: Mindy Costello, Sustainability Standards Specialist for the National Center of Sustainability Standards at NSF International, and Daniel Rea, of Cold Spring Granite in Cold Spring, MM
Summary: This sessionwill guide attendees through the criteria developed for a dimensional stone sustainability assessment standard while identifying and measuring impacts on human health, environment and the surrounding community.
Date: Thursday, April 19
Time: 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Session: From 'Super-Size' to 'Right-Size' -- The Road to a "Smart-Sized" Home
Speakers: Patricia Gaylor, Principal of Eco Interiors by Patricia Gaylor, and Gale Steves, author, trend reporter and head of home industries consulting company, Open House Productions
Summary: This sessionwill focus on ways to build or renovate a home that suits clients' needs without breaking the budget. It will offer smart and sustainable solutions.
Date: Thursday, April 19
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Session:Ventilated Wall Systems: The Ultimate Green Surface Application
Speakers: Jurij Podolak, VF Engineering LLC Partner and Architectural Engineer specializing in vented facade technology, and Michael Johnson, Principal of Michael P Johnson Design Studio
Summary: This sessionwill present several projects showcasing the unlimited potential of the ventilated cladding system, and address the technical information about why the use of this building surface is the most sustainable option available today.
Date: Thursday, April 19
Time: 2:45p.m. to 3:45p.m.)
Session: What "Points" Really Make a Difference?: Perspectives from a Green Builder / Remodeler
Speaker: Michael Strong, National Director of Business Development of Green Builder Media
Summary: This session will serve up inside information on what builders really consider when buying products and materials.
For more information on green programming during Coverings 2012, visit www.coverings.com or www.facebook.com/CoveringsShow.
