COVERINGS 2010

So we just returned from the whirlwind of spring trade shows.  No one should have to attend multiple shows over a scant three week period – much less be caught in a mire of volcanic ash which further delays return to one’s own bed – but we did.  We attended the National Kitchen & Bath Show, International Furniture Market and the COVERINGS Tile and Stone Show.  Colleagues attended Saloni and Color Marketing Group.  We have ICFF, NEOCON and the AIA Show on the immediate horizon. It’s frightening to think of the time, money and effort focused on these intense periods where industry professionals gather to gawk at new products, listen to endless angles on color and design and generally have to be nice to each other and clients.  This is work. 

 But in hindsight it’s good work.  Without trade shows would we innovate and introduce new programs and products?  Would we gather to energize each other and convince one another that business really is improving?  Would we get a handle on market trends and see new to the world ideas?  I think not. Love ‘em or hate ‘em we need trade shows to get our grooves on.  It’s human nature to work to a deadline.  And we do some of our best work when the deadline has an audience of tens of thousands ready to touch and feel the product of our work. 

 Do I think we can improve the trade show model?  You bet.  But for now, just knowing there is another one around the corner is stimulating.  Next time, we’ll tell you what we saw!

Reign in Spain winners gather among journalists for an international press conference at Cevisama 2010.

Fascinating how a journey to Spain’s ceramic tile show, Cevisama changes perspectives.  We had the pleasure of hosting four delightfully talented architects on a trip to this show earlier in February.  They just weighed in (officially) on their thoughts about the show, the products and the experience.  Happily they all were pleasantly surprised by what they found.  Tile from Spain is not only famously functional but truly a material perfect for making design statements.  As Americans we think of many materials in such parochial ways.  Ceramic is one of those.  The eyes of this group were opened wide.  Tile from Spain is innovative, beautiful and sustainable.  That’s what they found!  Their experience will likely begin to change minds across the country.  Now we need to encourage distributors and contractors to get behind the movement as well.  If specifiers can’t find these gorgeous materials they aren’t likely to specify them!  The COVERINGS Ceramic Tile and Stone Show is just around the corner.  This US based show (in Orlando this year) is the perfect place for distributors to see, chat and collaborate with Spanish manufacturers.  I hope they show up!  There is so much to see.  And, if these four architects are an indication, the market wants what Spain has to offer!

I read a copy of December’s Wired magazine while sitting in Vegas awaiting a connection to the west coast. During a year when we’ve said farewell to so many familiar titles, it’s an honor for Wired not only to be among those to thrive, but also to have been named magazine of the decade by Adweek.

Yes, we’ve reached the end of a decade! Beginning with a ‘round the world party to celebrate the new millennium.  And ending with a different kind of roar.

How ironic, then, to become engrossed in the cover story, where author Evan Ratliff ponders if it’s possible to “shed your identity in the digital age.” Part of a $5,000 Wired promotion, the author writes that many were inspired to take up the hunt simply because of their own latent desires to disappear. An engrossing article that relies on the impacts of our new digital world to solve the mystery.  And what better place than Vegas to give it a read!