Tile industry artisans will demonstrate their creative talents in front of the crowds attending Coverings 2003 and donate the resulting works of art to a major children's charity, "Give Kids The World." Coverings 2003, America's largest trade show for the tile, stone and flooring industry, is scheduled for March 24 to 27 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

A special area of the trade show's main floor will be set aside where the artisans will work and apply colorful tile murals to a set of concrete benches and planters. On the final day of the trade show, the completed benches and planters will be donated to "Give Kids The World," a non-profit, 51-acre location in nearby Kissimmee, FL, that fulfills the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses by providing whimsical accommodations during memorable, cost-free vacations to the Central Florida attractions.

The newly tiled benches and planters will join six other tiled benches that were created at last year's Coverings show and placed in the "Give Kids The World" Village. They contribute to the enjoyment and smiles of approximately 7,000 children who are accompanied by family members and treated like VIPs at "Give Kids The World" each year.

The Village features 96 villas, a whimsical restaurant, a magical play area, an ice cream palace, a chapel, a movie theatre, an interactive water park, and even a fishing pond. Each year the Village welcomes guest families from all 50 states and more than 47 countries.

The major tile associations of the U.S., Spain and Italy are sponsoring the project, and several tile and stone companies are donating the materials and artisans.