Here we are, just a few months after the conclusion of Coverings 2010, and people are still abuzz about what they experienced during the four-day event held in Orlando, FL. From manufacturers to attendees (first time and veteran), all have commented positively on what the show offered in terms of new business and opportunities, industry-specific certification courses, design and installation showcases, and product demos.

Complementing the various educational tracks available through the duration of Coverings 2010 was the rise in mobile reporting using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. With hand-held communication devices in hand, editors and writers from competing consumer and trade publication mediums were hurriedly passing along information to their readers. At some point, it reminded me of “Dueling Banjos,” only the banjos were replaced with iPhones! It put my on-the-spot reporting skills to the test, with great results!

If you haven’t checked out our Coverings 2010 reports, then I encourage you to do so. Not only did we have breaking news from the show floor, but we also have photos and video of new products — all on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TileMagazine and on our website (filed under Coverings Slideshow), www.tilemagonline.com.

By the way, if you or your construction-related organization will be performing renovations, repairs or painting in homes built before 1978, then you must abide by the EPA’s newly implemented RRP rule.

As of press time, the EPA has eliminated the opt-out provision because “improper renovations in older homes can create lead hazards resulting in harmful health effects for residents and visitors in these homes, regardless of age,” thus making the RRP “consistent with statutory requirements,” the EPA notes.

Further, because of reports that training classes are difficult to access, the EPA said it is providing renovation firms and workers additional time to obtain training and certifications to comply with the new lead rules. It will not take enforcement action for violations of the rule’s firm certification requirement until October 1, 2010, and will not enforce certification requirements against individual renovation workers if they apply to enroll in certified renovator classes by September 30, 2010 and complete the training by December 31, 2010. For more information on the lead RRP program, visit www.epa.gov/lead.

Lastly, the fall selling season is just around the corner. I’d like to hear what you’re going to be doing to ramp up sales. What will you do differently this time around than you have in the past? Will you shift product placement? Will you update the showroom? Will your social media presence move from the bottom of your priority list to the forefront? Email your ideas and suggestions (nalbandiana@bnpmedia.com) and I’ll post the results in the next issue of TILE Magazine. I look forward to reading your submissions!