Expo Revestir opened to worldwide attendance recently, filling the Transamerica Expo Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, marking its ninth year as a leading forum for ceramic tile design and production.

Expo Revestir, the largest tile show in Latin America, opened March 22 with strong attendance, as attendees from more than 65 countries worldwide filled the Transamerica Expo Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

In order to strengthen foreign participation, the show’s organizers unveiled a new program, “Projeto Comprador,” in which 60 key industry related buyers and distributors had part of their expenses subsidized. Altogether, more than 1,000 professional buyers from 65 countries attended this year’s show. With so many major buyers in attendance, Brazilian tile manufacturers prepared many new product launches for Revestir 2010, including several that utilize the latest manufacturing technologies.

Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, Coverings 2009, North America’s largest trade show for ceramic tile, stone and related accessories, was held April 21-24 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. 

Expo Revestir, the largest ceramic tile and stone trade show in Latin America, saw a dramatic increase in attendance this year despite the current difficulties in the global economy. Overall attendance for the four-day show is expected to reach 40,000, an increase of 12% over the previous year. On the show floor, many manufacturers´ booths were filled to capacity, while long lines waited to register for the event.

The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) recently held its Total Solutions 2008 conference at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, MD. The two-day conference included a variety of high-profile industry speakers, hands-on demonstrations, and tabletop displays from many manufacturers of ceramic tile and related accessories.

These days, you can’t pick up any newspaper or magazine without seeing a headline about skyrocketing fuel costs and how this situation is affecting the economy, from consumers cutting back their non-essential purchases to companies downsizing to increase profitability.

Coverings, the largest U.S. trade show for tile, stone and related products, returned to Orlando, its original location, and exhibitors seemed happy to be back in the Sunshine State this year. With 1,200 exhibitors from more than 50 countries worldwide, this show truly offered something for everyone in the tile and stone industry, from cutting-edge tile designs and installation products to an expansive curriculum of educational seminars addressing all aspects of the tile and stone industries.

The 20th UNICERA Ceramic and Bathroom Trade Fair, held in Istanbul, Turkey, recently, hosted more than 60,000 attendees, a record for this event, say organizers. Compared to the first show held in April 1988 with 100 square meters of space and 8,500 attendees, the 2008 exhibition had grown to encompass more than 40,000 square meters with from more than 170 exhibitors.

Editor's Note: Check back often during Coverings (April 29-May 2) for breaking news and Web Exclusive updates from the show!

WEB EXCLUSIVE: With a full range of coverings that display the latest in world trends, textures, sizes and technologies, we knew we couldn’t wait to see what the show’s exhibitors would present. Thanks to TILE Magazine’s Senior Editor, John Moore, the wait is over.