Here we are, just a few months after the conclusion of
Coverings 2010, and people are still abuzz about what they experienced during
the four-day event held in Orlando, FL. From manufacturers to attendees (first
time and veteran), all have commented positively on what the show offered in
terms of new business and opportunities, industry-specific certification
courses, design and installation showcases, and product demos.
Complementing the various educational
tracks available through the duration of Coverings 2010 was the rise in mobile
reporting using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. With
hand-held communication devices in hand, editors and writers from competing
consumer and trade publication mediums were hurriedly passing along information
to their readers. At some point, it reminded me of “Dueling Banjos,” only the
banjos were replaced with iPhones! It put my on-the-spot reporting skills to
the test, with great results!
If you haven’t checked out our
Coverings 2010 reports, then I encourage you to do so. Not only did we have
breaking news from the show floor, but we also have photos and video of new
products - all on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TileMagazine and on our
website (filed under Coverings Slideshow), www.tilemagonline.com.
By the way, if you or your
construction-related organization will be performing renovations, repairs or
painting in homes built before 1978, then you must abide by the EPA’s newly
implemented RRP rule.
As of press time, the EPA has
eliminated the opt-out provision because “improper renovations in older homes
can create lead hazards resulting in harmful health effects for residents and
visitors in these homes, regardless of age,” thus making the RRP “consistent
with statutory requirements,” the EPA notes.
Further, because of reports that
training classes are difficult to access, the EPA said it is providing
renovation firms and workers additional time to obtain training and
certifications to comply with the new lead rules. It will not take enforcement
action for violations of the rule’s firm certification requirement until
October 1, 2010, and will not enforce certification requirements against individual
renovation workers if they apply to enroll in certified renovator classes by
September 30, 2010 and complete the training by December 31, 2010. For more
information on the lead RRP program, visit www.epa.gov/lead.
Lastly, the fall selling season is
just around the corner. I’d like to hear what you’re going to be doing to ramp
up sales. What will you do differently this time around than you have in the
past? Will you shift product placement? Will you update the showroom? Will your
social media presence move from the bottom of your priority list to the
forefront? Email your ideas and suggestions (nalbandiana@bnpmedia.com) and I’ll
post the results in the next issue ofTILE Magazine. I
look forward to reading your submissions!