Live training returns to main stage in Vegas and Orlando June and July
As the industry is putting its toe back into the water with live events, The International Surfaces Event (TISE) is moving full steam ahead June 16-18 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, followed closely by Coverings 2021, set for the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., from July 7-9.
The NTCA Training Team will be out in force with educational sessions and live demos at both of these events. At TISE, the team will present two shower-themed programs, under the banner of “Circling the Drains,” and two live demos that are also shower-themed.
At Coverings, the team will present three educational sessions and five demonstrations on the main stage. Let’s take a deeper dive to what will be on tap.
Please note that schedules are subject to change, so consult the TISE website at www.intlsurfaceevent.com/en/education/converge.html and the Coverings website at www.coverings.com for more information, or visit the NTCA booth #4559 at TISE or #3040 at Coverings for an updated schedule of events.
TISE: Main Stage Sessions
In lieu of the traditional Converge and DISH stage features of the TISE show for 2021, 30-minute educational programs will take place on the TISE Live Main Stage and TISE Live Demo stage. Following are the Main Stage sessions:
Circling The Drains – Preparation and Drain Types: This session explores required preparation for shower pans and managing water flow. Finding your way around a variety of drain types and directing water down the drain. Trainers will address:
- Slope requirements
- ADA slope requirements for curbless showers
- How to achieve slope: mud, foam, pan
- Different types of drains – and the pros/cons of each type
- How system attaches to drain
- TCNA Handbook methods
Circling The Drains – Water Management Membranes and Tile Installation: Learn how to selec and install an appropriate system to manage water flow from the source to the drain without letting it escape. Trainers will address:
- Types of membranes used in showers
- How membranes are installed
- Following manufacturer instructions
- Measuring thickness of roller-applied membranes
- How membrane is attached to drain
- How to properly install a curb
- Common issues with membrane connections to the drain
- ANSI A118.10 and TCNA Handbook methods (Membrane section)
- Flood testing requirements, permits, inspection and documentation
TISE Live Demo Stage
This program will use two shower mockups to demonstrate shower principles, methods and systems.
Circling the Drains – Thick Bed, Curbless, Linear Drain Systems: This demo will illustrate:
- Using sheet membrane
- Membrane to flange (narrow flange on linear drain)
- Dam techniques for flood test without a curb
Circling the Drains – Drainage System and Flood Testing.This demo will show how to use:
- Clamping rings
- Divot method
- Liquid membranes
- Scrim fabric if needed for liquid membrane
Coverings educational sessions
NTCA Trainers will present educational sessions at this year’s show. Some of the sessions are as follows:
Tile Talk with NTCA:This is an open forum, moderated by NTCA Training Director Mark Heinlein that explores common issues, installation challenges and best practices for contractors operating in Florida and the Southeast.
Hard Surface Industry Town Hall: NTCA will participate in this town hall in which technical representatives from the natural stone, wood and tile segments of the industry will discuss the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of substrate prep challenges, and opportunities for these different materials.
Skills and Time Management for Certification Success:Scott Carothers of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation leads a session that delineates the steps needed to master the clock to complete the Certified Tile Installer written and hands-on tests on time.
Coverings TCNA Stage Demos
NTCA trainers will conduct live demos on the TCNA stage. Here is a samplin of some of those demos.
Layout Skills – Basic: Learn the first steps necessary to achieve an excellent layout in this demo.
Layout Skills – Advanced: Delve into advanced layout skills in this demonstration to round out your layout training day.
Checking the Substrate:Successful tile installations begin with a substrate appropriate for the intended use, that’s properly installed per manufacturer instructions and is made flat to meet tile industry standards. Watch and learn how to analyze a substrate prior to a tile installation.
Horizontal Substrate Prep:Discover how to analyze and prepare a flat and level substrate to support a horizontal tile installation.
Vertical Substrate Prep:NTCA trainers will show how to analyze and prepare a flat and level substrate to support a vertical tile installation.
Artisans in Tile program
Another not-to-be-missed feature is the Artisans in Tile program, in which NTCA member tile artisans Lee Callewaert of Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Milwaukee, Wis., and Joshua Nordstrom of Tierra Tile, Homer, Alaska will broadcast live to Coverings attendees the creation and installation of a collaborative masterwork of freestanding mosaic art that has a Florida alligator theme. The progress on the piece will be live-streamed to the show floor from Dragonfly’s Milwaukee studio. Coverings attendees will have the opportunity to interact live with the artisans. NTCA Training Director Mark Heinlein will be on hand on the Coverings show floor to narrate the action as it unfolds from Milwaukee, and explain details of the process. Visit https://bit.ly/3uycLEG for a preview of the Gator project you’ll see at Coverings!
Visit coverings.com for details on time and place for all offerings, and at the show, stop by the NTCA booth for updates and more information.
Editorial Director and Senior Writer for TileLetter and TileLetter ARTISAN
Lesley Goddin has been writing and journaling since her first diary at age 11. Her journey has taken her through a career in publishing and publicity, landing her the editor position of TileLetter and its special publications in 2006. Her goal is to educate, inspire, recognize and encourage those in the tile industry -- especially the tile and stone contractor.
