Boston hosted the industry-wide gathering of manufacturers, distributors and contractors known as Total Solutions Plus (TSP) the last week of October at the Marriott Copley Place. A crowd of about 550 people from the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), Tile Council of North America (TCNA), Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) and Tile Contractors Association of America (TCAA) and honored guests all came together for learning, inspiration, networking and even a little fun!
This is the 15th year for TSP. In addition to business and technical education, attendees enjoy a mini trade show in the Table Top event, keynote speakers, and a format designed to facilitate interaction and connection. The last night themed dinner/dance — this year an Oktoberfest theme — gives attendees an informal opportunity to visit with each other, kick back and blow off steam.
“As a contractor, having the opportunity to share experiences and ask questions with tile industry partners across the country is the highlight of TSP for me,” said Gianna Vallefuoco, co-owner of NTCA Five-Star Contractor Vallefuoco Contractors, who was voted in as a new NTCA Director for Region 2 at the association’s Annual Meeting during the conference. “These moments make you realize you’re not alone in the tile world. I’d sit at a lunch table with strangers, and leave with new friends, colleagues, and perspectives.”
NTCA pre-conference activities
Saturday morning, October 26, the NTCA Membership and Methods and Standards Committee met to review plans and fine-tune direction going forward. In the afternoon, The NTCA Technical Committee held its twice-yearly meeting to discuss new documents planned for the 2025 NTCA Reference Manual, an essential publication for tile contractors.
The day dawned early Sunday morning October 27 with an NTCA Board meeting and various association meetings. In the afternoon, were many local activities, including the traditional golf tournament.
The NTCA Women in Tile group held a guided Boston Women’s Heritage Trail event, visiting sites, the Boston Women’s Memorial and homes commemorating historic and influential women, then wrapped up with a lunch at Joe’s on Newbury. Organized by Women in Tile Chairperson Elizabeth Lambert of NTCA Five-Star Contractor Lambert Tile & Stone, donations from DW Sanders and LATICRETE funded the event.
TSP “was an incredible opportunity to connect with industry leaders, learn from expert speakers, and further engage with the tile community,” said Brieanna Lines , Manager, Sales & Client Support, Fireclay Tile. “One of the highlights for me was the chance to meet all of the members of the Women in Tile organization. This initiative is doing wonderful work to promote diversity and growth within the industry, and it was empowering to connect with female leaders from all corners of the tile world…I’m deeply grateful to the Women in Tile organization for its ongoing work in supporting and promoting women across the tile industry.”
The conference begins
Monday morning after the breakfast, Best Tile’s Frank Donahue, who, as a private pilot, was instrumental in organizing and piloting air relief in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, had a chance to speak about the efforts already taken and still needed. (SHOW QR code to donate)
Chris Abbate of Novita, the marketing firm for Ceramics of Italy, spoke about the Cersaie show in Bologna, Italy that takes place each September, and introduced the opening keynote – Dr. Jen Golbeck, who brought us up to speed on the advantages and limits of AI and how it can be used positively in business. This fascinating talk was followed by a joint industry panel discussion that addressed a range of hot topics in the industry. It was followed by a networking break and sessions on architectural and jobsite photography using cell phones, and identifying components of extraordinary teams.
“The roundtable discussion with contractors, manufacturers, and distributors was enlightening, and allowed us to engage in fruitful and even hilarious dialogue, while tackling industry obstacles,” Vallefuco said.
Turkish Ceramics sponsored an awards lunch in which NTCA’s Assistant Executive Director Jim Olson received the prestigious Ring of Honor award, and TCAA bestowed the Carl V. Cesery Award on Lucinda Noel for her loyal service.
After a networking break, attendees enjoyed one of two forums: a distributor forum led by CTDA President Scott Levy of Arley Wholesale, and a contractor forum that addressed reviewing and escaping killer contract clauses.
“TSP is my favorite meeting of the year,” said Scott Levy, CTDA President. “The ability to network not only with other independent distributors, but also with tile contractors and manufacturers on how we all can help to build a stronger future for tile is invaluable.”
NTCA held its Annual Meeting in the late afternoon, and members were brought up to speed about new training programs, Five-Star Accreditation and a summit planned for next summer in Nashville, as well as a revitalized Ambassador program. Assistant Executive Director Elena Grant introduced the new Tile Pro Network Community that is an exclusive online gathering place for NTCA members. There was discussion about a new home for CTEF and eventually NTCA: Nashville, Tenn., and efforts underway to transition to the new location.
There was a changing of the guard, with Rod Owen of CC Owen stepping into the President role, succeeding Visalia Ceramic Tile’s Sam Bruce who is now Chairman of the Board, succeeding Martin Brookes, of Fireclay Tile. New Regional Directors joined the board: Gianna Vallefuoco, Vallefuoco Contractors, Region 2; Austin Andrews, Breckhus Tile & Stone Region 10; Teresa Inglehart, Visalia Ceramic Tile Region 12; Tim Mitcheltree, Diverzify, Region 4; and Dee De Gooyer, Schluter Systems, Allied Products Representative. Chris Dalene, Dalene Flooring, moved up to 2nd Vice President. NTCA also recognized outgoing directors Elizabeth Lambert, Region 10, Mike Corona, Corona Tile & Marble Region 2, and Ron Nash of LATICRETE, Allied Products Representative.
Vallefuoco added, “I attended my first NTCA board meeting, and realized how fast our industry is growing, and what the growing pains include. TSP is truly a people’s event. There are connections that just can’t form through Zoom, email, or texting, and TSP reminds us of that.”
Also recognized were outgoing staff members Mary-Shaw Olson, Advertising Rep, and Sandy Bettiga, Accounting Manager as well as new hires this year: Elena Grant, Assistant Executive Director, Jeremy Sax, Deputy Director, Angelica Weber Advertising and Membership Specialist as well and new NTCA Technical Trainers Anthony Oliver, Bill O’Connor and Alex Smith. Though not present, Mark Heinlein’s expansive contribution to the association was noted, as he is retiring at the end of 2024, and Matt Welner, together with Amber Fox, are leading the training team effort.
Becky Serbin also announced the new NTCA Tile Setter Craftspersons of the Year: Jeff Occhipinti, Owner of Columbia River Tile & Stone, residential; and Juan Mercado of Christian Brothers Flooring & Interiors, commercial.
The evening brought three hours of Table Top exhibits, a mini trade show that gave attendees the chance to meet exhibitors, ask questions, and find out about new products. Evening events included a reception by LATICRETE at Clery’s pub, and a reception by Casa Symari at the Marriott Copley Place to launch the Tantalize line, in conjunction with Mission Stone and Tile.
Tuesday wrap up
Attendees gathered for a breakfast Tuesday morning while LATICRETE held an exclusive breakfast that included an economic outlook by Sean Boyle, and launch of profile products by Ben Lampi. Ken Tarwood’s announced that LATICRETE’s Rep-On-Demand mobile app that allows real time tech support is ready, rolling out initially to LATICRETE MVP customers. Ron Nash discussed the post-pandemic economy and initiatives to seamlessly supply products to customers and support partnerships for mutual benefit. He dismissed fears of the apparent rise of LVP and LVT products, while mentioning mosaic floors in Delos, Greece he recently saw that were built 2000 years B.C. “ The best thing we can do is build floors that last forever,” he said. Touting investments in technology and people, he said, “The future still looks very bright.”
The morning keynote was John Rossman, author of The Amazon Way and Big Bet Leadership who talked about de-risking plans to embrace “big bet” ideas. Several breakout sessions followed, including an impactful discussion between NTCA’s Bart Bettiga and celebrity designer Jennifer Farrell who talked about her business and brand diversification model for a triangle of success. A panel discussion about industrialized construction and prefabrication captured the attention and imagination of attendees.
During lunch, TCNA’s Bill Griese gave a recap of the first Flooring Sustainability Summit held last July in Washington. D.C. and announced the upcoming one at D.C.’s Mayflower Hotel July 16-17, 2025. Jamie Rich of Coverings’ show management company, talked about the industry’s premiere trade show, taking place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., April 29-May 2 2025, and all it offers. Coverings requires a paid registration in 2025, but attendees can get in free by using the promo codes TSP or NTCA.
Attendees gathered at afternoon sessions, while a group of NTCA staff and members met for an initial discussion about how to support mental health and wellness for contractors and members. Plans and programs are in the works and will be further refined by January.
The closing keynote was Bruce Tulgan of Rainmaker Thinking, who offered an energetic presentation about building a culture of strong, highly-engaged leadership.
After a closing reception that featured an oompah band, attendees gathered to dine, visit and dance until late into the night.
TSP 2025 is scheduled at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, Phoenix, Ariz., October 26-28. See you there!
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.
