ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Attendance at Coverings 2012 was up by 19% over last year's show, with registration totaling over 22,000. This year's tile and stone expo, having returned last month to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, put the brakes on what had been a decline experienced over the past three years in the wake of a global economic downturn. Helping to hit this year's increased number was a huge spike in attendance among architects and designers, which climbed 84%. With Coverings next scheduled from April 29 to May 2, 2013 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, -- its first time in that city -- optimism abounds for another benchmark year amid what's known to be a robust regional community of architects and designers.
Other market segments saw a rise at Coverings 2012, as well. Attendance among fabricators was up 69% from last year and distributor attendance rose 16%. Additionally, installer/contractor visits were up 26%.