Total Solutions Plus 2016

Last week, the 7th Annual Total Solutions Plus all-industry conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort and Spa near Palm Springs, Calif., chalked up another huge success, with record attendance figures and industry support. Over 650people attended the event, which was sponsored by NTCA as well as the Ceramic Tile Distributors Assocation (CTDA), Tile Council of North America (TCNA), and Tile Contractors Association of America (TCAA).

The event began with a two and a half days of association, board, and industry committee meetings on Friday, October 21, Saturday, October 22, and Sunday October 23, followed by a golf tournament, various tours and an opening reception Sunday evening. Eighty-six exhibitors took part in the tabletop exhibit and reception on Monday night, giving attendees a chance to see new products, learn about new services and interact with manufacturers and suppliers in an intimate setting.

“If you're not a member of the NTCA this has -- or would have --  given you the excitement of what the greatest tile association in the world is all about,” said Joe Kerber of Kerber Tile, Marble & Stone, Inc., Shakopee, Minn., NTCA Region 7 director. “Find and talk to a NTCA State Ambassador about all the advantages that you will acquire by being a member. You can find them on the NTCA website at www.tile-assn.com. Also check out the CTI certification at NTCA and CTEF. If you're that good -- show us.” 

Total Solutions Plus 2017 will take place November 4-7 at the Marriott Washington Wardman Park hotel, Washington, D.C.

Topping off the long TSP weekend, NTCA elected new members of the executive board and several new regional directors at its annual meeting.

Martin Howard of David Allen Company was elected President. Chris Walker, also of David Allen Company, was named 1st Vice President. Martin Brookes of Heritage Tile and Marble was elected 2nd Vice President. Outgoing President James Woelfel was elected Chairman of the Board, and Dan Welch was named Executive Committee advisor.

The newly elected Regional Directors include Robert Showers (Region 2), Paige Smith (Region 3), Mike Weaver (Region 4), Dirk Sullivan (Region 9), Stan Platt (Region 10), and Sam Bruce (Region 12).

Congratulations to the incoming executives and regional directors! We look forward to continuing NTCA's growth and progress as Voice of the Contractor with your help.

NTCA had a massively successful outing at Remodeling Show | DeckExpo | JLC LIVE (R|D|J) 2016 in Baltimore, MD on October 6-7, 2016. This annual show is a trade-only residential construction event for remodelers, deck builders, and other industry professionals. It features not only an educational conference for both business and job site training, but also a full exhibit hall and networking events.

For both days, NTCA’s Mark Heinlein and the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF)’s Scott Carothers presented a wide array of installation techniques and answered questions in a live stage demonstration. The two-day project consisted of fully installing two tile floors, from substrate up to grout and finishing, based on industry standards, best practice installation techniques, and manufacturer instructions.

Read the full report on the NTCA website!

Some other activities

                                                      TEAM VITIS

New to this year’s awards program: Winners will be invited to discuss their project as part of the show’s conference program. Projects will also be displayed on a video wall and on signage throughout the exhibition floor, showcasing the work to the thousands of attendees. Prize-winning project teams, including each installer and designer, will receive $2,500 and a one-night stay in Orlando.