Coverings will enrich its world class tile and stone expo with a series of daily keynote speakers at the April 29-May 2 event, scheduled for Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center (OCCC).
Instead of a single headliner to kick off the show, six compelling keynoters have been scheduled for the upcoming event, each addressing interests that cut across the varied professions and trades of show-goers. Last year, registration topped 37,000.
Here’s the daily schedule. Morning speakers are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.; afternoon speakers appear from 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 29: Mark Matteson; Gisue Hariri
An internationally known best-selling author (Freedom from Fear) and consultant, Matteson will be presenting “The Art of Change.” Matteson inspires audiences to “stretch their comfort zones” beyond the norm and equips them with improved management and sales skills.
Later that day Gisue Hariri takes to the stage. Together with her sister Mojgan, she heads the award-winning New York City firm Hariri & Hariri Architecture. For more than two decades, the Iranian-born, Cornell-educated Hariris have been exploring the use of dynamic forms and materials as they create futuristic and visionary projects that are both conceptually provocative yet visually elegant.
Wednesday, April 30: James Dion; Doug Wilson
One of North America’s leading experts on retail technology, selling and service, merchandising and operations, and consumer trends, Dion will speak about new and empowering negotiating techniques. A regular speaker for the National Retail Federation, Dion has authored the definitive selling manual, Retail Selling Ain’t Brain Surgery, It’s Twice As Hard, and is acclaimed for providing his audiences with “Swiss Army Knife” negotiation skills.
The lunchtime presenter is TV personality Doug Wilson who hosted the hit TLC show “Trading Spaces” and is now at the helm of its latest incarnation, “Moving Up.” A leading design talent who pens a regular design column for In Touch Weekly, his book, Doug’s Rooms, offers practical decorating advice encouraging readers to focus on a specific touchstone for each room. With a comprehensive portfolio of work that includes many celebrity clients, his signature is melding organic elements with a fresh, sophisticated and inherently American sense of style.
Thursday, May 1: Jim Bearden; Chad Oppenheim
Start the day with a top-rated motivational presentation from Jim Bearden, a former decorated Vietnam Marine officer, corporate executive, published author and owner of his own successful speaking and training business. Bearden, brings a large measure of humor to his approach and will offer valuable insights and advice on the changing circumstances we encounter, the choices we make about those circumstances and the consequences those choices produce. A powerful agent of change, he is passionate about sharing that gift with his audiences.
Renowned architect Chad Oppenheim owns the afternoon spot. An “alchemist of atmosphere,” Oppenheim transforms the prosaic into the poetic, eliciting a site’s inherent power through minimal gesture and sincere means. Oppenheim lives and practices in Miami, and is considered to be an important and influential voice for “green” architecture, helping to gain global acceptance for sustainability.
“The keynote speakers are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the top names booked to appear at Coverings 2008,” said Glenn Feder, president of client events for National Trade Productions, which manages and produces Coverings. According to Feder, more than 80 seminar sessions are being planned for the four-day show, all themed to the special interests of attendees. “The seminar tracks are very targeted, yet there are no limitations on how many you attend or which ones you participate in,” he explained. “They include programs for Distributors & Retailers; Architects & Designers; Contractors & Installers; Fabricators; and one that is developed exclusively for Stone,” he said. “What adds to the attraction and value of these programs is that they are all absolutely free of charge and all accord CEU credits from either AIA, ASID or NKBA.”
For more information, visit coverings.com on the Web.
