Coverings 2010 began today at the Orange Country Convention Center in Orlando, FL, and it will continue through Friday, April 30. The event includes exhibits of ceramic tile as well as a range of stone products, such as slabs, tiles, mosaics and customized architectural stonework.‬‪

Attendance during the first few hours of the event was somewhat light, as is generally the case, and it picked up as the day went along. A number of exhibitors were positive, and they felt that this show would be stronger than the 2009 edition. Also on an encouraging note, many exhibitors were showcasing new stone products at Coverings 2010. Introductions in stone included "new" varieties of granite, marble and onyx not seen before in the marketplace as well as traditional stone materials coming from a new quarry source.‬‪

There were also a variety of innovations in the area of quartz surfacing, including new colors, new textures and also quartz slabs with a UV treatment that allows it to be used for exterior cladding applications.‬‪

A range of stoneworking equipment can also be found at Coverings, and a report will follow later this week.‬‪ â€¬â€ª