NTCA Year in Review
In 2022, NTCA spent a considerable amount of time honoring our history as we celebrated our 75th Anniversary as a leading trade association. We are proud of our accomplishments and appreciate the efforts of our staff and the contributions of our contractor and associate members who have helped us to get to where we are today. Membership is at an all-time high, and we have navigated through the challenges that COVID-19 presented to us as a trade association reliant on networking, trade shows, conferences and in-person training content. We are now focused on 2023 and we are expanding our footprint by exploring new ways to increase membership value and engagement. Some highlights of what to expect from NTCA in 2023 include the following:
NTCA Workshop Program includes hands-on training and interactive participation
We are emphasizing engagement with our audience and including more active participation in hands-on demonstrations. We tested this approach in the fall of this year, and it is being met with enthusiasm from our attendees and our sponsors. Attendees can expect to get their hands dirty in our new program approach. We are also nearly doubling the number of events in 2023 over 2022. This prompted us to add three additional trainers to accommodate the demand we have for our programs.
Regional Training success leads to new programs in 2023
Evening NTCA Workshops provide great value and information, but you cannot provide in-depth training in this type of format. The Regional Program was created several years ago to provide a focused effort on training small groups of installers for a variety of purposes. Substrate Preparation, Large-Format Installations, and Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels and Slabs have been programs we have offered in the past, and we will continue to do this in 2023. New content is now being developed in glass tile installations, and we will look to add exterior tile installations late in 2023 as well. In 2022, we offered two Regional Training Events focusing on Thick-Bed (Mud) floors and walls and we plan to add more of these programs in 2023. This has led us to purchasing an additional regional truck for logistical set up, and will allow us to more than double the number of Regional Events next year.
New member business value
Thanks to the support of associate members Schluter Systems and Dal-Tile LLC, several new members of NTCA attended a two-day educational program in Dallas focusing on successfully managing and running a business in today’s competitive climate. The program was offered to new members of the NTCA, and it filled up in a very short period. We will look to offer additional business content in this fashion in 2023.
Young Leaders Program
A new offering in 2023 will feature a professional leadership management program for NTCA members under the age of 40 to network with other young leaders and engage with professional business management and leadership speakers. This program will include both live educational and networking content at Coverings and Total Solutions Plus as well as monthly digital educational content attendees can take advantage from at home or in the office. NTCA has partnered with Firestarter Business Speaking and Consulting on an outstanding program for future leaders in our industry.
Women In Tile
In 2022, NTCA facilitated a meeting of women leaders in the tile industry. We will look to formalize this program in 2023. NTCA women staff members will partner with women professionals in contracting, distribution, and manufacturing to create an all-industry program to support females in the workplace. Plans will include meetings and social networking events at trade shows and development of content to support women in the tile industry, with an emphasis in creating a culture that would encourage more women to enter our trade.
Tile artisanship
Thanks to the success of TileLetter ARTISAN and the leadership of NTCA members who share a passion for the artistic aspects of tile installation, we plan to expand and sponsor additional content to offer to our members in 2023. We will continue to host digital roundtable platforms emphasizing the opportunities that exist by incorporating artistic elements into tile installation. New in 2023, we are committing to sponsoring advanced training programs being offered by passionate members who are willing to share their expertise and concepts with individuals wanting to learn and further develop their skills in this growing arena of our trade.
Conclusion
Complete details on our training programs and events will always be found our website at www.tile-assn.com. Schedules are subject to change, and we are still finalizing details on all these programs. NTCA is serious about adding value and increasing engagement with our members. We are looking at ways tile contractors can expand their portfolio by introducing training in new tile formats and technologies like panels, slabs, glass, etc. in both interior and exterior applications. We urge you to take advantage of everything NTCA offers. We will see you on the road in 2023!
Bart Bettiga is the Executive Director of the National Tile Contractors Association. Bettiga is a member of the Board of Governors of Coverings, one the largest tradeshows in North America. He has over 30 years of experience in the tile and stone industry and has served as the NTCA Executive Director since 2002. He is a well known speaker and author on ceramic tile and natural stone distribution and installation. He oversees the financial operations of the NTCA, TileLetter and the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation.
