Three of the five prestigious groups are new to the position. They are the Louisiana Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Gulf States Region of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), and the South-Central Region of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), comprised of the Delta Regional Chapter, including Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi, and the Texas/Oklahoma Chapter. The remaining organizations are the Tile Contractors' Association of America, Inc. (TCAA), and the Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC), both previous co-sponsors.

During Coverings 2001, both the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) will be offering continuing education credits and learning units to those people who attend "The Solution Source," the largest professional education conference for the tile and stone industry and a key component of the show. Coverings 2001 organizers will introduce new hours for The Solution Source. Conferences begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, the day before the show starts, offering special seminars targeted to specific industry segments. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday conferences will be held in the morning before the exposition floor opens. For more information, log onto www.coverings.com.