Recently, I attended Total Solutions Plus, the annual conference held by the National Contractors Association (NTCA), Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), which was held in Rancho Mirage, CA -- just outside of Palm Springs. Although I have been writing about the use of tile in design for more than a decade, my new role as editor of TILE Magazine, a sister publication of Contemporary Stone & Tile Design, has introduced me to the entire tile world -- including installers, distributors and manufacturers as well as association directors.
Total Solutions Plus provided a great opportunity for me to meet many industry professionals, and I quickly observed how dedicated they are to honing their skills and improving upon industry standards.