The second edition of the International Tile & Stone Show's New York City edition (ITSS New York) took place from July 21 to 24, 2005, at the Jacob Javits Center. This year's show saw the addition of a fourth day, Sunday, in an attempt to offer more opportunities for local fabricators and installers to attend the exhibition. However, this move did not add to overall attendance, since the size of the show was probably best suited to a three-day exhibition.

Marketed as an international tile and stone event, the makeup of the exhibitor base certainly lived up to its billing. Several countries had a fairly significant presence, most notably Brazil and Portugal, each of which were represented by a pavilion dedicated to manufacturers from their respective countries, many exhibiting in the important New York market for the first time ever. In addition to the national pavilions, many different countries were also represented by individual exhibitors. Ultimately, though, many of the exhibitors were from the Northeast, citing their desire to exhibit “in their backyard.”

As of this magazine's deadline, show management did not release attendance figures, although the numbers appeared to be down from the previous year. “We realize the show did not produce the results we had anticipated, but a lot of that had to do with having the best weather of the summer on the weekend of our show,” said Rich Caires, President of ITSS, who added that the balmy summer afternoons made many potential attendees head for the beaches rather than the exhibit halls. Show management also reported that plans are in place to change the timeframe of the New York version of ITSS and to make other changes to improve the show. “We are committed to putting on a show in the New York market, and our customers want a show in New York,” Caires said, “but we know we have to make some changes to bring this show to where we know it can be. With our four stone industry events - New York, Las Vegas, Miami and recently announced Rio de Janeiro - we are committed to this market and plan to be here for a long time.”