During the first week of October, Conestoga Tile presented the NTCA Road Show to over 600 attendees representing 250 dealers, contractors and architectural firms.  This wonderful educational opportunity focused on the current hot topics of tile installations. The program included the nationally acclaimed NTCA Road Show, product demonstrations by Aqua Mix, Laticrete International and Schluter Systems, and 17 tabletop demonstrations from various ceramic tile installation manufacturers.  The show was truly a road show.

 It began on Monday, October 2, in Harrisburg, PA, and then moved during the next three days to Baltimore, MD; Dulles, VA; and finally ending in Charlottesville, VA.

 “The tile industry continues to see many improvements and technological advances to the installation products and methods, and we want to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to learn about these changes,” said Jim Vogel, President of Conestoga Tile.  “We had a full day of seminars and demonstrations that spanned into the early evening. It was great to see the enthusiasm of the crowd as they took the time and opportunity to listen to the programs.”

 The NTCA Road Show is offered nationally by the National Tile Contractors Association. The NTCA program was customized to include topics on waterproofing systems, porcelain and glass tile installations, changes to the 2006 TCA handbook, challenges in wood sub-floor installations, new and innovative tools, and installing in-floor heating systems.

In addition, Laticrete International discussed what is mold and what solutions are available to help prevent mold, Schluter Systems showed new methods in ceramic tile shower installations and Aqua Mix explained how to care and maintain natural stone tile installations. 

 Also on hand to offer advice and demonstrations were manufacturer representatives from NuHeat, Georgia Pacific Dens-Shield, W. R. Bonsal, Fin-Pan Util-A-Crete, Barwalt Tools, SuperiorBilt Tools, MK Diamond Saws, Imer Saws, Armeg Tools, ColorFast Caulks, The Noble Company, Rubi USA, StarQuartz Grouts, and Pearl Abrasives.

 Since about 1980, these one-stop, one-evening training sessions have been wowing contractors and helpers with the industry's latest materials and installation methods.  The NTCA addressed what's new, what's old, what works and what doesn't. The NTCA team, accompanied by industry experts delivered an evening of food, fellowship and fun. This was the most intense, fast-paced technical presentation in the business. Please plan on attending future education programs sponsored by Conestoga Tile. We make it our goal to keep you at the leading edge of new products, tools and installation systems available in the marketplace. Our Director of Architectural Services, Howard Pryor CCS, CTC, CCTS, is working on developing a brand new AIA Certified Power Point Presentation on what is in store for the new upcoming 2007 TCNA Handbook for Ceramic Tile. Please contact your Conestoga Tile representative for more information.

Price List Updates

This upscale line includes an assortment of handcrafted tiles and natural stone complimented by a variety of decorative elements. Each series is given its own Chapter number, which is also helpful when placing orders or searching for price list information. Jeffrey Court offers a sampling program called Story Boards, which are available if you are interested in showing a unique, high-end offering of product. We have included an index on the price list to make searching for a particular product easier to accomplish.

 Marmi Antichi, a soon-to-be introduced glazed porcelain, has been added to our collection of products from Pastorelli. Like many of their products, Marmi Antichi offers a variety of sizes (4x4, 6x6, 12x12, and 18x18) and is positioned very aggressively from a pricing standpoint. Grouted board displays along with our in-house produced sampling from imports will be available in the immediate future.

 StarQuartz Grout

 This new product was one of the most talked about products at our recent NTCA programs. This patented formula of urethane and quartz is ready and easy to apply, can be reused if stored properly and provides the end user with a superior grout joint that never requires sealers of any type. Currently, we are stocking 11 solid colors with the speckled colors being serviced on a non-stock basis. StarQuartz is working on further color options to be introduced in the early part of 2007. This product provided another alternative to cement-based grouts, which continue to be problematic from a shading and long-term performance standpoint.