Orlando, Fla.—At Coverings 2021, the largest international tile and stone exhibition in North America, Ceramics of Italy will return here to the Orange County Convention Center from July 7-9 to showcase an array of new ceramic and porcelain tile collections and installation products in the center’s North Hall. Organized by Confindustria Ceramica, the pavilion’s refreshed central booth will provide a hub for hospitality and information from Italy, according to the group.
Visitors will find a new version of the Ceramics of Italy booth “Strada Dinamica” (Booth 1441), the group said. Designed by e+i Studio, the booth was inspired by an Italian streetscape, and features tiled furnishings including standing communal tables, landscaped benches and more. The booth will feature an info kiosk and a meeting point to enjoy authentic Italian coffee and gelato with Italian ceramic industry representatives, according to Ceramics of Italy.
Coverings 2021 organizers said attendees will discover a variety of new tile products and innovative installation systems from Italian manufacturers that reflect current trends in the architecture, building and design industries. As a result of the pandemic, the need for healthy and sanitary surfaces has never been stronger, and due to the inherent hygienic qualities of ceramic tile, it has become a highly coveted surfacing material, show organizers said.
In response to the growing demand for large-format tiles, Italian manufacturers have developed new collections with hyper-realistic, expressive designs ranging from elegant marble effects to colorful styles inspired by Persian onyx, according to show organizers. The tiles are designed to create seamless floor and wall installations, or custom furnishings including countertops, tabletops, islands, bathroom vanities and more. Visitors should also expect to find many decorative, colorful patterns and natural material effects like concrete, wood and terrazzo, which rival the look of the real material due to high-definition printing and innovative 3D glazes, show organizers said. In the outdoor space, Italian manufacturers are also expanding their offerings of porcelain pavers and innovative pedestal systems for raised flooring, organizers added.
Ceramics Of Italy said it will participate in the annual “Global Tile Trends” session where industry experts will discuss new and emerging tile trends, innovations in materials and technology and creative design ideas. This talk will take place in-person on Wednesday, July 7 at 11 a.m. EST in Room N320A and will also be live streamed through Coverings’ hybrid platform, the group said.
The “Ceramics of Italy International Press Conference” will take place on Wednesday, July 7 from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. EST in Room N220F and will include remarks from senior representatives of the industry, an overview of the latest tile trends, an update on Cersaie 2021 and a short presentation of the winners of the prestigious 2021 Tile Competition, according to the group. Following the conference, members of the press will be given a guided walking tour of Ceramics of Italy exhibitors, the organization added.