Coverings 2026 Spotlights Design, Materials, and Leadership in Expanded Education Program

Coverings, North America’s largest event dedicated to ceramic tile and natural stone, will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center March 30–April 2, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, with an expanded education program designed to strengthen specification knowledge, deepen material insight, and support leadership development across the design and construction industries.

Building on themes seen at Coverings 2025—where sustainability, performance-driven surfaces, and advanced manufacturing took center stage—the 2026 program places renewed emphasis on materials education and design application. With nearly two dozen conference sessions and partner-led programs, Coverings 2026 aims to equip architects, interior designers, and allied professionals with both a strategic perspective and practical tools as the tile and stone market continues to evolve. Programming spans technical instruction, materials and trend forecasting, workforce development, and business growth—reflecting the increasingly complex role materials play in performance-driven, sustainable design.

For architects and interior designers, a dedicated A&D Day on March 31 will offer six AIA-accredited courses focused on ceramic tile and natural stone specification, health and environmental performance, and industry standards. Materials-focused sessions, including Pantone’s color and design trends presentation, aim to connect emotional drivers with real-world product development and project decision-making.

A Marquee Conversation on Craft, Purpose, and Social Impact

One of the headline moments of Coverings 2026 will be a special session featuring actor, humanitarian, and Gary Sinise Foundation founder Gary Sinise.

• “Building Hope: A Conversation with Gary Sinise, NTCA, and NSI on Serving Veterans Through Skilled Craftsmanship”  📅 April 1 | ⏰ 8:30–9:15 a.m. PDT

Sponsored by MAPEI Corporation, with supporting sponsorship from PROFLEX® Products, Inc., the session brings together Sinise and leaders from the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) to discuss their collaboration on the Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program. The initiative constructs mortgage-free, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded U.S. veterans and recently celebrated the dedication of its 100th home.

Attendees will gain insight into how tile and stone professionals contribute to these projects and learn practical ways to participate in future builds through skilled labor, material support, and advocacy.

Education Tracks Designed for a Shifting Industry

Coverings 2026 conference programming is organized into three core learning tracks, blending technical expertise with forward-looking market intelligence:

• Installation & Fabrication
• Materials & Trends
• Workforce & Profits

Sessions will be delivered through a mix of technical presentations, partner-led programs, interactive Q&As, and live demonstrations—offering multiple entry points for professionals across disciplines.

Materials, Color, and Design Insight: Featured Sessions

Several sessions will be of particular interest to architects and interior designers focused on material selection and design storytelling.

• “The Most Directional Color and Design Trends” 📅 March 30 | ⏰ 9:30–10:30 a.m.

Presented by Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, this session explores her “Sense-Abilities” framework, examining emotional cues, lifestyle shifts, and cultural influences shaping future color and design decisions.

• “Get Inspired and Turbocharge Your Business” 📅 March 30 | ⏰ 8–9 a.m.

Drawing from the Tile Heritage Foundation’s archive of more than 44,000 digital images, this session demonstrates how historical context can enrich design narratives, reinforce authenticity, and support long-term brand and business growth.

Architecture & Design Day Delivers AIA-Credited Learning

A dedicated Architecture & Design (A&D) Day on March 31 will offer six AIA-accredited courses tailored specifically to architects and designers working across residential and commercial projects. Presented by the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), NTCA, and NSI, sessions will focus on specification fundamentals, health and environmental performance, and industry standards.

A&D Day Sessions Include:

• Why Tile (CTDA) | 8–9 a.m.
• Health and Environmental Benefits of Ceramic Tile (CTDA) | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
• The Art of Specifying Natural Stone (NSI) | 8–9 a.m.
• Natural Stone and Green Design (NSI) | 9:30–10:30 a.m.
• Introduction to Tile Industry Standards, Methods and Best Practices (NTCA) | 9:30–10:30 a.m.
• Specifying & Installing Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels/Slabs (NTCA) | 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Emerging Professionals, Leadership, and Market Insight

Additional programming throughout the show addresses workforce development and leadership across the tile and stone ecosystem:

• “Inspire, Lead, Grow: Opportunities for Emerging Professionals in Tile and Stone”
  📅 Day 2 | ⏰ 12:30–1:30 p.m.
  An interactive session focused on career development, mentorship, and leadership pathways for the next generation of industry professionals.
• “Inside the Industry: Leaders on Tile Today”
  📅 Day 3 | ⏰ 9:30–10:30 a.m.
  A panel discussion examining current market dynamics, supply chain considerations, evolving customer expectations, and emerging business opportunities across residential and commercial sectors.

Partner Programs Expand Learning Opportunities

Partner-led education will further extend Coverings 2026’s offerings, including:

• Facades+ Las Vegas, presented with The Architect’s Newspaper (March 31), featuring case studies and sessions on façade technologies and materials, with opportunities to earn AIA HSW credits.
• University of Ceramic Tile and Stone (UofCTS) workshop, “How to Be a Professional Architectural Sales Rep to Develop ‘Bullet Proof’ Specifications and Get the Order,” focusing on specification strategy and protection. (Separate registration required.)

Registration Details

Early-bird registration for Coverings 2026 is available at no cost through Feb. 1, 2026. A $49 advance registration fee applies Feb. 2–March 29, with onsite registration available during the show.