At NTCA, we believe our industry is stronger when everyone has a place at the table and the opportunity to learn, connect, contribute, and lead. That belief is at the heart of Comunidad Latino, a growing initiative dedicated to supporting and connecting Spanish-speaking professionals throughout the tile industry.
What began as a conversation about how we could better serve Spanish-speaking contractors has quickly grown into something much more meaningful. We have seen tremendous momentum over the past two years. Perhaps the most rewarding part has been watching members of this community step forward to help shape its future.
The effort gained momentum at Coverings 2025, when Angie Gonzalez helped initiate conversations and engagement with the Spanish-speaking tile community, pictured above. NTCA proudly continued building on that momentum at Coverings 2026 with Spanish-language educational sessions and a Spanish Contractor Tour. The response reinforced what we already knew: there is a strong and growing Spanish-speaking community that wants to be more connected to NTCA and to the broader tile industry.
And we are just getting started. Our goal is to do even more in 2027 by expanding educational opportunities, strengthening connections, and finding new ways to ensure Spanish-speaking contractors have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Leading the way
One of the most exciting developments has been seeing members of this community step forward as leaders.
Harry Burgos of CNB Renovations will soon be appointed to the NTCA Board of Directors, which represents a significant milestone (see the Member story in this issue). Having Burgos at the board table provides an important voice for the Spanish-speaking community and sends a powerful message that there is a place for everyone in the leadership of this association.
We are also proud to have formally established the Comunidad Latino Committee, with Mauricio Rapalo of Prominent Tile serving as chair. Rapalo has embraced this role with enthusiasm and a genuine commitment to building something that will benefit Spanish-speaking contractors for years to come. The committee creates a dedicated space to identify needs, share ideas, and help shape NTCA’s future efforts.
Translation and connection
Language is another critical part of this work. Through our collaboration with Jose Romero of Star Tile and Surfaces LLC, we have continued translating important NTCA materials and resources into Spanish. We have also translated the TileLetter.com website into Spanish, making industry news, education, technical information, and other resources more accessible to Spanish-speaking professionals. NTCA is also providing real-time Spanish language translation during NTCA Regional Training and Workshop events.
But inclusion is about more than translation; it is also about connection. During our Comunidad Latino meetings, we speak both English and Spanish. We don’t expect everyone to communicate in one particular language. Instead, we meet people where they are most comfortable. Sometimes that means a conversation in Spanish, sometimes English, and often a combination of both. What matters is that everyone feels welcome, heard, and valued.
Our presence at ExpoContratista in Phoenix in September, where NTCA had a booth and conducted demonstrations, was another important opportunity to meet contractors where they are, listen to their experiences, and introduce them to the resources available through NTCA.
We know there is still much work to do, but we are committed to doing it together. Comunidad Latino is not simply a program or a committee; it is an investment in people, relationships, and the future of our industry.
“The leadership of NTCA—staff and board—are united on this as a key strategic initiative moving forward,” said Bart Bettiga, NTCA Executive Director. “And if members speak other languages and want to reach out to us, we are more than open to discussing how we can support them.”
We are grateful to Burgos, Rapalo, Romero, and everyone who has contributed their time, ideas, and passion along the way. Their dedication reminds us that when we listen, create opportunities, and make room for everyone, our entire industry becomes stronger. If you are interested in joining us, please email Elena Grant at [email protected].
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