There
are two events coming up that could be very important to your business and are probably
worth considering: Coverings and DomotexAsia.
Coverings,
the international ceramic tile and stone show, is being held in Las Vegas March
14 to 17. If you sell or distribute ceramic tile, there's no better place to go
to see what manufacturers have in store for this category. Plus, it will be in
the Sands Expo, so most of you probably know your way around from past Surfaces
shows.
There
are a lot of reasons to attend Coverings, one being the show itself. Surely it
boasts the widest array of ceramic tile and stone as well as the very latest in
technological advancements. You'd be surprised to see what new printing techniques
have done for the esthetics of today's newest introductions. Not only are
natural looks in stone virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, there
are new antibacterial treatments that help improve indoor air quality.
There's
also the fact that ceramic is one of the fastest growing and most profitable
products on your showroom floor. And while we know remodeling jobs are
difficult to come by these days, kitchen and bath remodels still top the list
as most desirable and most expensive remodel projects. As well, ceramic has a
wonderful green story and can be part of a broader discussion with your
customers about the importance and value of green products in their homes.
More
and more retailers are adding environmentally friendly products to their
assortment and are expressing their personal commitment to environmental
stewardship with a broader selection of today's green products. Ceramic tile
ranks up there among the industry's most safe and sound products and can be the
cornerstone of any green offering.
The
other show is DomotexAsia, to be held in Shanghai March 22 to 24, where you'll
not only find the controversy about charges of illegal dumping by Chinese
manufacturers of engineered wood products in the U.S., you might also find some
answers. Whatever side you take on this critical industry issue, there are
bound to be heated discussions as manufacturers — both U.S. and Chinese —
gather in Shanghai to figure out what is the next step.
Most
likely, no matter what happens next with the ITC investigation, manufacturers
from that part of the world will respond by shifting production to other
countries to avoid any restrictions or sanctions. Domestic manufacturers and
distributors will also follow the trail of these products as they seek to bring
the latest and most innovative selection to their customers.
In
fact, the best reason to go to DomotexAsia is exactly that: The latest and
greatest in product will be on display as Chinese manufacturers across all
categories show off their formidable manufacturing prowess and product
innovation.
Rest
assured it is precisely for those reasons that the Home Depot, Lowe's and
Lumber Liquidators as well as large distributors and importers