Coverings 2004, the annual showcase for ceramic tile and natural stone floor coverings, is fast approaching. Prominent manufacturers the world over are preparing their newest product offerings and latest ideas to showcase at the event.

Coverings 2004 will take place March 23-26 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The show will feature more than 27,000 industry professionals, with more than 1,400 exhibitors in 500,000 net square feet of exhibit space. In addition to the plethora of exhibitors, Coverings will offer special workshops, events, forums and appreciation nights.

Organizers will launch the 2004 Conference Program, hosting more than 30 sessions. The program will open with a keynote address by Steve Forbes, 8:30 to 10 a.m. March 23.

In addition, Coverings will honor outstanding achievements in ceramic tile design with the 2004 Spectrum Awards. Open to architects and other design professionals, the Spectrum Awards celebrates those whose project demonstrate creativity and achievemtn in the use of tile in residential and commercial design. The $10,000 grand prize will be awarded at the opening general session.

The sponsoring organizations of Coverings are ASCER (Spain's Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association), Assopiastrelle (Association of Italian Ceramic Tile and Refractories Manufacturers), CTDA (Ceramic Tile Distributors Association), NTCA (National Tile Contractors Association) and TCA (Tile Council of America). For more information, visit the Web site at www.coverings.com or telephone (703) 683-8500.

A feeling of Old World design predominates Florida Tile's Old World tile. Old World evokes a Camelot feel with a dramatically clefted, slatelike floor tile. Old World comes in 13-by-13- and 16-by-16-inch formats, with a 3-by-6- and 6-by-6- inch format for wall tile. Gallant Terra, Courtly White, Cavalier Beige and Noble Gray make up the colors offered in this collection.

Colorado by Gayafores is a glazed porcelain tile series produced in 13-by-13-, 13-by-20-, and in 20-by-20-inch formats. Colorado is available in 3 colors: Beige, Arena, and Bone. The tile is complemented by the 1.2--by-18-inch border Colorado.

Rapolano by Alaplana is a ceramic wall tile and coordinating glazed porcelain tile series which is produced in several colors including gray and ivory. The series is available in 18-by-18-, 12-by-18-, 12-by-12- and 6-by-6-inch formats.

Atlas Concorde has debuted Marfil, a porcelain stoneware line with the new, exclusive Micro-Loading technology to create the look of marble. Marfil is available in six colors (pink, walnut, blue, white, gray and pearl) and three sizes (12-by-12-, 18-by-18-, and 12-by-24-inches).

Spanish porcelain tile manufacturer Tau Ceramica offers a range of ceramic products, and medium to large porcelain tiles for use in business and residential applications. Teak by Tau features a soft veining marble look in a matte finish. Teak is available in a large 12-by-24-inch format for walls, and an 18-by-18 inch format for floors.

A series designed to introduce an atmosphere of antiquity to any kitchen or bath application, Eliane's Villa Vecchia is a collection of porcelain tiles meant to reflect the Renaissance-era Italian villa. Villa Vecchia is available in earth tone shades of grigio, bianco, beige and rosso. Sizes include 10-by-13-inch wall tiles and 12-by-12- and 18-by-18-inch floor tiles.

La Fabbrica S.p.A. presents Silex, a new porcelain stoneware series inspired by a precious natural stone. Silex comes in four colors, and is available in 10-by-10-, 18-by-18- and rectified 9 5/8-by-9 5/8-, 17 7/16-by-17 7/16- and 8-by-17 7/16-inch sizes.

Concretus from Edilcuoghi emulates the characteristics of concrete, recreating the irregular surface and varied colors typical of a manual production process. Concretus is available in five colors, three sizes and two types of surface. The series is complemented by an range of accents for floors and walls.

Vitra Tiles USA introduces its Colorline "Mix" Series, a colorful mosaic range for kitchen and bathroom backsplashes. Colorline "Mix" is designed for interior use, both commercial and residential. All seven combinations are available either in 1-by-1- or 2-by-2-inch sizes. Mesh-mounted or dot-mounted, color ranges are also available in custom patterns.