Professional tile and stone installers will be among the more than 32,000 attendees expected at Coverings 2006. Held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., April 4-7, the show will feature a range of installer-specific seminars and installation demonstrations.

Show organizers say this year's event has the potential to be one of the busiest ever for Coverings, with double-digit increases expected from distributors, architects, designers, fabricators and contractors. In addition, organizers are expecting more than 1,200 exhibitors from at least 50 countries to attend the four-day event. Major tile manufacturers and fabricators from North America, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Turkey are among those slated to showcase their latest products and services.

For installers, the Tile Council of North America and the National Tile Contractors Association are planning a series of installation demonstrations at the North American Pavilion Stage. Justin Woelfel Jr., NTCA's director of training and education, will lead several of these demonstrations, as will technical experts from throughout the industry.

Coverings will also host the annual Spectrum and Prism awards. The Spectrum Awards honors the best ceramic tile installations of the past year. One entrant will walk away with the grand prize of $10,000. The Prism Stone in Architecture Awards also features a $10,000 grand prize, and recognizes the top natural stone installations in residential, institutional and commercial projects. The Marble Institute of America and Architectural Record, the official publication of the American Institute of Architects, are coordinating the Prism competition.

At least two Coverings exhibitors will give away major prizes to attendees at the show, including a Ford pick-up truck and a full range of premium tools. Members of several Brazilian trade associations will have a hand in giving away the truck, including the Brazilian Association of Ceramic Tile Manufacturers, the Brazilian Association for Dimension Stone Industry and the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency.

The NTCA will coordinate the tool giveaways. Products in the drawing include QEP wet saws and diamond blades, Sigma Tools tile cutters and a Racatac Master Rac adjustable grouting and cleaning machine. Coverings attendees can enter for the prizes by dropping off a form at one of several designated bins situated throughout the exhibit hall. For more information, call (703) 683-8500 or visit www.coverings.com.