For the second year in a row, the Las Vegas Hilton is home to NTCA’s annual meeting, Total Solutions. This free event, started in St. Louis in 2004, offers the industry’s best venue for learning about new products, methods, processes and having the opportunity to network in a relaxed, conducive environment with fellow contractors and other industry personnel.
This year, Total Solutions will feature business and technical sessions as well as tabletop displays of the best products and services for our industry. On Thursday, September 14, the tabletop event will be combined with our sponsor’s reception from 4-7 p.m., extending the time for browsing and networking together with an opportunity to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Another opportunity for visiting with tabletop companies will take place from 3-5 p.m. on Friday, September 15.
On Friday night, an optional, sumptuous NTCA Awards Dinner will recognize the 2006 NTCA Tile Person of the Year, two NTCA Ring of Honor inductees and 2nd Annual Best Practices Awards.
For complete details and schedule as well as registration for Total Solutions and the Awards Dinner, visit the NTCA website at www.tile-assn.com or contact executive director Bart Bettiga at (601) 939-2071, email bart@tile-assn.com. The conference schedule on page 28 also lists dates and times for all events.
The Las Vegas Hilton is only one block away from the Las Vegas Strip, and features top name acts as well as special entertainment options like The Star Trek Experience several times daily or the 16th Annual Las Vegas Center International Mariachi Festival on Saturday, September 16.
Here’s a brief rundown of the unparalleled educational, training and networking opportunities you can expect this year at Total Solutions.
Technical presentations
Eric Astrachan, executive director of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) will discuss changes to the 2007 TCNA Handbook, including new methods.
Dr. Frank Woeste, a highly regarded wood construction and engineering consultant, will explain the thought process involved in the adoption of the new language for the TCNA Handbook and ANSI A108 that reference building codes for wood assemblies. He’ll identify what a contractor needs to know about wood systems in order to protect his or her company.
Scott Fleming, Bill Klaser and Greg Andrews all team up for a session on glass tile. Scott Fleming of Oceanside Glasstile is chairman of the subcommittee for ANSI A108 standards on glass tile installation. He will explain these new standards and then turn the show over to Bill Klaser and Greg Andrews, who will share with you the processes they used to create their award winning commercial and residential installations. Klaser Tile is the 2006 TileLetter Awards recipient of the Grand Prize for Commercial Installation and Greg Andrews won both Spectrum Award and TileLetter Awards in 2005 for a residential swimming pool.
Tim Connelly, business development manager for Custom Building Products, Art Mintie, director of technical services for LATICRETE International, and Virgil Viscuso of Innovatech Products and Equipment also team up to address the importance of a properly prepared substrate in a lively hands-on demonstration.
Joe Still of Proflex Products will address issues, problems and failures in tricky ceramic or stone balcony installations, which are growing in popularity with the advance of commercial high-rise and residential condominium projects.
One of the most important decisions a contractor will make over the next few years is the estimating and job management software they will select to help them more effectively run their business. Frank Gregg of BVH Gregg and Michael Tucker of Blue Cove Technologies will present their respective software packages and show how they can simplify and professionalize your business.
Robert Dickson of TEC Specialty Products will discuss the challenges in both installation and service areas that natural stone and ceramic tile pose to grout and caulks for long term performance.
One of the highest rated technical presenters at Coverings 2006 was Alan Kin, technical director for Bonded Materials. He’ll present a comprehensive program that simplifies important tile installation specifications and explains how a contractor should use them to benefit their business.
Mike Micalizzi, director of technical services for MAPEI Corporation, will explain the newly approved ISO 13007 standards for the tile industry, which require more stringent manufacturer testing to properly specify products for the right application. See how these new international standards will affect specification and installation in your market.
Tim McDonald, president of Mer-Krete Products, will outline issues related to the proper installation of ceramic tile over gypsum-based underlayments. He’ll discuss the specification and installation of membranes, plus details of the TCNA Handbook relating to installation over poured gypsum floors.
Business presentations
Donato Grosser, consultant to Assopiastrelle, will examine the current state of the tile industry and its distribution channels and offer a future forecast.
Charles Vander Koii has over 40 years experience in the construction industry in estimating, upper management and consulting. He’s developed the “AS GOOD AS IT GETS” Multiple Overhead Recovery System that considers changing variables unique to every company and job. The system offers a method of allocating the proper amount of overhead to material, labor, equipment and subcontractors in order to profit throughout the year.
Dr. Albert Bates of the Profit Planning Group makes a return engagement to present the results of the 2006 NTCA Annual Profit Survey for Contractors. Participation is growing in the Annual Profit Survey, enabling Dr. Bates to accumulate important financial data and trends to identify areas of strong and weak financial performance for contractors and present these in his characteristic high-energy, witty style.
A board-certified construction attorney in Florida, Larry Leiby will cover important contract clause topics including: addressing extras; a useful bid form; contingent payments; conditions to payment and nonpayment; warranty clauses and acceptance; and cost escalation solutions and disputes.
Steve Lima, Bostik director of technical services, demonstrates a proactive approach to claims that puts you ahead of your competition. He’ll show how to reframe claims as opportunities, and how to reduce the dread associated with handling customer complaints.
Despite the tremendous growth in the radiant heated flooring industry, it’s just getting started! Kathleen Scranton, director of marketing for Easy Heat, will share her research on the subject and outline how lucrative radiant heating can be for the contracting community. She’ll also discuss how radiant heated floors add value to the home and contribute to increased ceramic tile and natural stone sales.
In addition, on Friday morning, the National Tile Contractors Association staff will update attendees on past year activities and highlight programs and services that can bring value for contractors. This will be followed by a great opportunity for sharing ideas in the Contractors Forum: Best Practices. The forum will be broken into two separate programs, focusing on commercial and residential issues. Panelists with expertise in these areas will lead the discussion where active audience participation is encouraged.
Total Solutions is an unmatched opportunity to learn and exchange ideas to better your business – all in a fun, entertaining environment. Make plans to join us in Las Vegas today!
