Tile Solutions Plus — sporting a more tile-centric name change this year from the longstanding “Total Solutions Plus” — continued its reputation as THE place for members of all industry sectors to come together, learn from experts, and forge closer connections. Educational sessions and speakers are interspersed with dedicated time for networking, renewing relationships and sparking new ones.
Held October 27-30 at the desert oasis of the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, the event was hosted by Partners in Progress: NTCA, CTDA, TCNA and TCAA. Meetings and the NTCA Technical Committee Meeting took place over the preceding weekend with CTEF Academic Director Scott Carothers announcing his retirement from the Committee after decades of service. Additional meetings commenced Monday morning and leisure activities extended into Monday afternoon.
One of those Monday activities was a mini self-care retreat for the NTCA Women of Tile led by mindfulness guru Gianna Vallefuoco of Vallefuoco Contractors. She shared techniques for calming the nervous system and tapping into the benefits of neuroplasticity.
Welcoming first timers
Monday evening, TSP officially opened with a First Timers’ Reception and a welcome from CTDA President Scott Levy of Arley Distributors for all those new to TSP.
First timer Robert Davis of Davis Solutions didn’t know what to expect. “I made some new friends and learned a lot in a short time,” he said. “ It was a much more valuable experience to me than the ‘tools on tables’ format of other trade shows I have attended. Seeing how it all comes together, I will arrive earlier next year and be more intentional about my itinerary.”
Fellow first timer David Daubenschmidt, Owner/Operator of Hammer and Sage LLC in Central Oregon said he was “floored by the connectivity of everyone involved in this event…What worked for me here is the intimacy of this event. Smaller sessions, more in-depth studies into important topics that affect our trade, and the ability to have a voice in this setting.
“One thing I would like to see is a session circle with other tile installers from different regions to talk about the current trends and or issues we encounter on a daily hands-on basis,” he added. He greatly valued “the wonderful sense of community” that pervaded the event. It gave Daubenschmidt “the confidence to ask more questions, meet more people, and make new lasting friendships. This is much more than just a networking event.”
Program Highlights, Day 1
Tuesday began with an Industry Roundtable Discussion led by NTCA’s Deputy Director Jeremy Sax, which included conversation about LVT’s warring position with tile in the flooring sector. Next was opening keynote speaker Marcus Sheridan – sponsored by Ceramics of Italy. Sheridan challenged attendees to embrace the potential of AI and ChatGPT, and to be bold (and thus own your market) in addressing subjects that move every buying decision: cost, objections, comparisons, and reviews.
Concurrent Distributor and Contractor Forums took place. At the Contractor Forum, NTCA’s Executive Director Bart Bettiga and NTCA President Rod Owen, Preston Riveras QC Manager from Okland Construction, Mike Gillett of Commercial Ceramic, and from Kitchell Contracting David Lee, General Superintendent and Ken Ottinger, QC Manager explored a wide variety of topics. Key among them were qualified labor, communication between subcontractors and GCs early in the pre-bid process, education from manufacturers about their products in the project and the importance of experienced installers introducing themselves to construction firms so they can expand their subcontractor base. “A 15-minute conversation can save two weeks in the field,” Ottinger said.
During the Tuesday afternoon Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Turkish Ceramics, TCNA’s Eric Astrachan gave an overview of major changes taking place within the Tile Heritage Foundation, including moving the collection to South Carolina, hiring Karim Motawi as Executive Director of Development and requesting donations to support the Foundation’s mission of elevating the tile industry as a whole.
After lunch, NTCA held its Annual Meeting, announcing the new NTCA App, available for Apple and Android mobile users. It puts the power of the NTCA Tile Pro Community Network at your fingertips, as well as resources, partner discounts, the NTCA Membership Directory, training events, NTCA’s YouTube Channel and TileLetter issues and digital platform. Find it at the App Store and Google Play.
NTCA also recognized EJ Flooring’s Eric Blumer for his years of service as a Regional Director. The Board voted in three new Regional Directors: Jeff Occhipinti, Columbia River Tile and Stone/Evolve Mosaics for Region 9; Greg Grazzini, Grazzini Brothers & Company for Region 7 and Alex Machado, Floor & Decor.
Mid-afternoon the Tabletop Event took place, offering exhibitors a chance to connect with members of the industry and display their latest products and services.
Program Highlights, Day 2
Wednesday dawned with an invitation-only LATICRETE breakfast that included an economic overview and rollout of promising new products like HYDRO BAN Sealing Tape – Peel & Stick; HYDRO BAN 1 trowel-applied waterproofing; and HYDRO BAN Instant Cure powder that when mixed with water and sprayed on, cures HYDRO BAN 1 waterproofing within minutes.
Hannah Ubl delivered the closing keynote. She addressed communication styles among work teams and across generations with a view to improving and enhancing those connections.
Breakouts included a Family Succession presentation with Trace Udall of Udall Wealth Management and a broad industry outlook from Bruce Zwicker of Zwicker Advisory. Vincent Moiso and Donato Pompo of Ceramic Tile and Stone Consultants, Inc., discussed increasing profits and reducing liability through Total Quality Management. Doug Harrison of The Rise Framework guided attendees through a new way to establish a dynamic brand.
Technical Breakouts included a session on LHT Mortar Coverage, Trowel Selection and Proper Troweling Techniques With James Woelfel, Chairman of the NTCA Technical Committee and Mike Micalizzi, Senior Director of Technical Services for Custom Building Products. Woody Sanders of DW Sanders Tile Contracting and NTCA Training Director Matt Welner addressed the opportunities and challenges of pedestal systems at a Technical Breakout later that afternoon.
The day wrapped with representatives from each association offering updates, including TCNA’s Bill Griese’s recap of the 2025 Flooring Sustainability Summit that took place in July.
A closing reception was followed by a party and dinner with a Halloween theme and a night of dancing to the dynamic musical stylings of Zero Gravity Fighters.
Awards
During the NTCA Technical Committee meeting that met on the weekend before TSP commenced, Dan Lambert of Lambert Tile & Stone, Jim Whitfield of MAPEI, and Mike Gillett, Commercial Ceramics,Inc., were named as the inaugural winners of the NTCA Technical Committee Impact Award. This award recognizes individuals whose expertise, dedication, and volunteer contributions have made a lasting difference in the work of the NTCA Technical Committee and the NTCA Reference Manual.
Martin Brookes, Director of Installation at Fireclay Tile and former NTCA President, received the NTCA Ring of Honor at the Tuesday Awards Luncheon. NTCA’s Michelle Chapman was honored at NTCA’s Annual Meeting and at an Awards Reception for her 25 years of service as Art Director, and now Sales and Production Director of the Association.
NTCA also announced the NTCA Tile Setter Craftspersons of the Year for 2025. Will Richardet of Richardet Floor Covering was named Commercial Craftsperson and Mark Christensen of Tarkus Tile is honored as Residential Tile Setter Craftsperson. They will both be honored during the Ambassador Reception in Las Vegas, Nev. in January on the eve of the TISE show.
CTDA also welcomed Rudy Llerena of D&B Distributors as he was inducted into the CTDA Hall of Fame.
The industry is already looking forward to Tile Solutions Plus 2026 in Miami, Fla., November 1-3, at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
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.
