Members of the National Tile
Contractors Association (NTCA) recently gathered in Chandler, AZ, for the
association’s annual winter meetings. Over the course of four days, and with
more than 75 industry leaders in attendance, this year’s meetings focused on
approving the 2010 budget, outlining strategic plans and goals for all
divisions and committees for 2010 and ‘11, and finalizing several new technical
documents for the comprehensive NTCA Reference Manual available for members at www.tile-assn.com.
“The
winter meetings represent an important time each year for the NTCA and its
several subdivisions and committees to gather in one place and discuss the
previous year and implement new strategies for the future,” the NTCA notes.
Officials from the NTCA Board of Directors, Executive, Technical, Standards,
Training, Membership, Convention Planning and Business Development committees
were also in attendance. Special guests included members from the Ceramic Tile
& Stone Association of Arizona, select contractors, retailers and
distributors. The Tile Council of North America held a Green Initiative
Sub-Committee at the resort in conjunction with the NTCA winter meetings
schedule.
“The
NTCA is alive and well, growing its membership despite these difficult economic
times, while at the same time increasing our programs and services,” said Bart
Bettiga, executive director of the NTCA. “Thanks to a dedicated staff and board
of directors, the NTCA is thriving and continuing to play a leading role in the
growth and development of the tile and stone industry.”
Additional highlights of the meetings include:
- Strengthening
NTCA’s affiliation with the Ceramic Tile and Stone Association of Arizona to
encourage membership growth and retention for both associations, with more
plans and programs expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
- Sponsored by
Ceramic Tiles of Italy, NTCA Training Director Gerald Sloan and Regional
Director Michael Whistler participated in a two-hour program focused on ceramic
tile design trends and the required techniques for proper installation. The
program, taking place at Taliesin West, an architectural school designed by
Frank Lloyd Wright, also included a presentation by Jen Renzie, a well-known
author on creating beautiful designs with tile. Local distributors supported the
program with tabletop displays. Plans are being made to offer this program in
Indianapolis and other markets later in 2010.
- The NTCA Standards
and Methods Committee spent ample time outlining plans for the development of a
stone tile installation section in the TCNA Handbook, under the leadership of
the Marble Institute of America and the NTCA.
For more information, contact
NTCA executive director Bart Bettiga at bart@tile-assn.com, via telephone at
(601) 939-2071, or visit www.tile-assn.com.
