“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” Oscar Wilde noticed this more than 100 years ago and I’m sure the majority of you feel the same way. Fall has officially begun. For many, it’s unfortunate that summer has finally come to an end, but for many others, it’s one of the best times of the year. A time when leaves change crazy colors, Pumpkin Spice-flavored treats are in abundance, and children and adults alike get to pretend like they’re superheroes and coveted idols for an entire day. I can understand why some people were waiting for the summer to fly by.

However, as the weather cools down, we here at TILEare just getting started. As I mentioned last month, traveling season is upon us. As I sit here writing this, I’m preparing to attend one of the largest international ceramic tile tradeshows, Cersaie, which takes place at the Bologna Exhibition Center in Bologna, Italy, each year. Two new halls were added to accommodate the growing list of exhibitors in 2018, with more than 800 companies expected from dozens of countries all over the world. To read a full report on this year’s exhibition, make sure to check back in November for the last edition of the year, known as our “Gold Book.”

I will also be making my way up to Verona, Italy, this year for the first time to attend Marmomac, the largest international exhibition of stone design and technology. Although this show focuses strictly on natural stone products, I’m eager to observe how tile products have adapted to compete with this sector. There’s always something to learn from your competitors.

When I return back to the states, I will be heading across the country to Grapevine, TX, where Total Solutions Plus is being hosted this year from October 27 to 30. Organized collaboratively by the National Tile Contractors Association, Ceramic Tile Distributor Association, Tile Council of North America and Tile Contractors’ Association of America, this annual networking event is where we really get the chance to interact with manufacturers, distributors and other industry professionals. And learn a lot, at that. Through the educational sessions, interactive discussions and various events, we here at TILEwalk away with a better idea of how things have panned out over the last year and what to expect for the upcoming year.

Needless to say, I am excited to embark on all of these adventures, and hope to see as many of you as I can along the way. If you don’t know me, please don’t be shy. Come up and introduce yourself. Let’s have a chat. I’d love to learn as much as I can from my fellow peers and be connected with as many of you as possible. To a successful remainder of the year.

Sincerely,

Heather Fiore

Editor