Stone-Ideas.com 
Coverings 2025 is set to offer attendees an unmatched array of educational experiences, including live demonstrations, interactive learning sessions, expert Q&A panels, partner-led education, live podcasts and much more. These edifying opportunities have been planned for all business segments of the tile and stone industry, including Architecture and Design, and will equip professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills to elevate their work and grow their businesses.
“Color/Design Future Trends: Welcome Home,” a highly anticipated session on Day 1 of Coverings 2025, 9:30-10:30 a.m. EDT, will be presented by Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. Eiseman will unveil Pantone’s 2025 color forecast, “Welcome Home,” a theme that reflects the evolving role of home as a space for living, working, entertaining and finding rest. The presentation will explore how residential warmth is increasingly influencing contract and commercial interiors, creating more welcoming environments across design sectors. Showgoers will gain valuable insights regarding major trend directions and actionable strategies to resonate with clients and stay ahead of future design trends.
One critical session on Day 2 of Coverings 2025, 8-9 a.m., will feature “Economic Outlook 2025: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in the Tile, Stone and Flooring Industry.” Author, speaker, and columnist Gene Marks will lead the session, alongside industry experts Joe Lundgren of JLC Consult and Santo Torcivia of Torcivia Marketing Insights, providing a comprehensive forecast of the national economy and construction market. Attendees will gain insights into key trends, metrics and strategies that smart companies are adopting to address current issues. Presenters will then give a deep dive into the ceramic tile and floor sector, including updates on the latest government initiatives, first-quarter data and emerging market dynamics impacting growth and profitability. Those in attendance will leave equipped with the strategic knowledge to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing market.
“Shifting Landscapes: The Impact of Business Consolidation in the Tile and Stone Industry,” a game-changing panel session on Day 2, 9:30-10:30 a.m., will examine the ongoing wave of consolidation reshaping the tile and stone industry. The session, moderated by Kemp Harr of Floor Focus and Bart Bettiga of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), will review the driving forces behind these changes, including acquisitions by private equity groups and strategic mergers among industry players. Panelists will discuss how consolidation is affecting companies of all sizes, from distributors to contractors and fabricators, highlighting the opportunities and challenges it creates across the workforce, supply chain and customer relationships. Participants will walk away with actionable knowledge about the long-term implications for competition, innovation and the future of the tile industry, providing a comprehensive perspective on one of the most transformative trends shaping the industry today.
“Those attending “Building Safe and Stylish Homes: The Role of Tile and Stone in Aging in Place” on Day 3 of Coverings 2025, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., will explore the essentials of aging in place design and how thoughtfully chosen tile and stone can enhance both safety and style in universal living spaces. This high-impact presentation, led by Sydney Hughes, CAP, founder and chief executive officer of Senior Proof, will investigate the key design principles for aging in place, focusing on selecting materials that prioritize slip-resistance, durability and comfort. Attendees will learn best practices for creating adaptable, beautiful spaces that ensure safe, comfortable living at any stage of life.
The Podcast Studio is making a highly anticipated return to Coverings 2025, offering established podcasters from the tile, stone, design and construction industries a one-of-a-kind, no-cost opportunity to record episodes live during the four-day event. Podcasters interested in participating can learn more and apply at Coverings.com/PodcastStudio before the application period closes, March 7.
https://www.coverings.com/podcast-studio/
Show registrants can explore the full scope of educational sessions and partner programs, including dates, times and locations of all scheduled conference events at Coverings 2025, by visiting Coverings.com/learning-opportunities.
https://www.coverings.com/learning-opportunities/
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