Happy Earth Day!
We find it especially significant that Earth Day, April 22, is the first day of Coverings 2024! A study by the Carbon Leadership Forum reported approximately 30% of all global carbon emissions are attributed to the building sector, with at least 8% resulting from the manufacturing of construction materials. This puts the flooring industry in a pivotal position to lead the discussion about sustainable building practices.
The conference has carefully curated a selection of events dedicated to fostering eco-friendly practices within the ceramic tile and stone industry. Earth Day activities at Coverings 2024 will unite industry professionals with a wide selection of learning sessions, workshops, displays, tours, and philanthropic programs to showcase the many eco-friendly aspects of ceramic tile, offering showgoers numerous options for exploring ceramic tile’s vital role in helping build a greener future.
Clean the World
Kick off Earth Day at Coverings with Clean the World — a global leader in sustainable, environmental, and social impact solutions.
Attendees have the opportunity to participate in the Clean the World initiative to transform used soap bars and plastic amenities into essential hygiene kits for communities in need. Clean the World sources these materials (which would have otherwise been discarded) from the hospitality industry.
The completed kits will be donated to a local Atlanta charity. Participate in this event by volunteering a few minutes of your time in Booth 1017, April 22, from 10am to 5:30pm.
Learning Programs
Coverings 2024 is bolstering its commitment to sustainable design, building, and installation practices involving ceramic tile and natural stone by presenting a comprehensive range of environmentally focused educational opportunities of particular interest to the architecture and design (A&D) community.
Coverings will integrate sustainability education through various platforms:
Sustainability Audio Tour
With nine miles of showfloor space, there’s plenty to cover during a sustainability audio tour. View both live and on-demand shows based on your areas of expertise. Check out the full tour schedule to find a tour specific to your interest.
Trends & Solutions Stage Presentations
The Trends and Solutions stage (Booth 1405) presents the latest trends, solutions, and innovations for businesses to leverage. Be one of the first to know what’s simmering in the tile and stone industry — view the full schedule of sessions in advance to make your top picks.
Green Builder Media’s Housing 2.0 Session
There are a handful of co-located educational sessions available at Coverings. The Green Builder Media’s Housing 2.0 session in particular is centered on environmentally friendly building solutions.
Sam Rashkin of Green Builder Media and former Chief Architect at the Department of Energy — also considered the “father” of EnergyStar — offers Housing 2.0. This training program focuses on housing industry disruptions and the fundamentals behind building sustainable homes while saving 30% to 70% in costs.
Attend this day-long session from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday, April 23, room B315.
Educational Sessions
Coverings attendees can engage in other sustainability sessions as well, including “Tile Industry Insights: Deciphering Embodied Carbon and Green Architecture and Design,” April 22, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm, room B312.
The Coverings sustainability sessions will provide detailed yet digestible insights into sustainable practices within the tile and stone industry.
Flooring Sustainability Summit
Continue sustainability learning opportunities at the Flooring Sustainability Summit, July 17 to 18, 2024 in Washington, DC. This inaugural conference brings together sustainability leaders within the flooring industry, architects and designers, policy makers, advocacy groups, and more.
Co-hosts include: The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), the Natural Stone Institute, and the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NAFLA), and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA). Learn more about how to attend and/or participate in the summit by visiting Booth 7536.
Earth Day Mosaic
Another notable event will begin on Earth Day with David Arnott at the Artisan Showcase (Booth 7259) in the Art Tile Village! He’ll commemorate Earth Day by crafting a tile mosaic of the planet using exhibitors’ leftover tiles.
Additionally, Martin Brookes, City & Guilds London Institute, and founder of Heritage Marble & Tile, will interview David Arnott about his creative process, “From Tile Setter to Artist: A Creative Transition” at the Artisan Showcase stage, Booth 7259, Monday, April 22, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Coverings Cares
The Coverings Cares program is a new initiative for 2024, emphasizing support for multiple charitable organizations, including EarthDay.org, through a donation pool of up to $50,000 spread across six vetted and deserving charities:
- Atlanta Community Food Bank
- Atlanta Habitat for Humanity
- Ceramic Tile Education Foundation
- EarthDay.Org
- Gary Sinise Foundation
- Tile Heritage Foundation
Coverings will donate $10 to the organization chosen by each event registrant, who can then match or exceed the donated amount if desired. The donations will be bestowed to the designated philanthropic causes for the first 5,000 attendees who attend Coverings 2024 onsite.
Coverings Mobile App
Showgoers can stay tuned to the Coverings mobile app and digital signage throughout the conference center for tips on how to make their time in Atlanta as green as possible. Attendees are also encouraged to recycle their show badges in conveniently located bins at the conclusion of the event.
Attend Coverings 2024, Celebrate Earth Day
Discover more information about Coverings 2024 and the customized lineup of Earth Day activities by visiting Coverings’ dedicated Earth Day webpage.
Coverings is a great opportunity to celebrate Earth Day through these many sustainable offerings and is also a fantastic way to discover this year’s top tile trends, product innovations, and solutions. Mingle with the incredible companies and thought leaders who make this conference possible April 22 to 25 in Atlanta, GA!