Coverings 2026 unveils an extensive educational programming

The Coverings 2026’s conference program will offer nearly two dozen sessions organized within three core learning tracks: Installation & Fabrication, Materials & Trends and Workforce & Profits.

Coverings 2026, taking place from March 30 to April 2, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas (Nevada, USA), has unveiled its extensive educational programming.

Attendees will gain impactful insights to strengthen professional skills, deepen market intelligence and support leadership growth across the tile, stone, design and construction industries. Show registrants and prospective attendees can explore the full scope of educational sessions and partner programs for Coverings 2026, including dates, times and locations of all scheduled conference events, by visiting the official 2026 show schedule.

Conference programming planned for Coverings 2026 will blend multiple modes of instruction, from technical presentations and partner-led sessions to dialogue-driven Q&As and live demos

Actor Gary Sinise will be protagonist on April 1

“Building Hope: A Conversation with Gary Sinise, NTCA, and NSI on Serving Veterans Through Skilled Craftsmanship,” sponsored by MAPEI Corporation and PROFLEX® Products, Inc., is scheduled for April 1, 8:30–9:15 a.m. PDT and will bring acclaimed actor Gary Sinise and leaders from the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) together.

The conversation will shed light on their collaborative work through the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment) program, which constructs custom-built, specially adapted mortgage-free smart homes for the United States’ most severely wounded heroes and recently marked a major milestone with the dedication of its 100th smart home.

Those in attendance of the session will learn how tile and stone professionals have contributed to the smart homes the Foundation builds, and garner practical guidance on ways to participate in future builds, from providing skilled labor and material donations to offering broader advocacy.

Sampling of Several Featured Sessions

Registered professionals for Coverings 2026 will also have full access to nearly two dozen other targeted sessions organized within three core learning tracks: Installation & Fabrication, Materials & Trends and Workforce & Profits. Attendees can take advantage of early-bird registration benefits, including cost-free registration through February 1, 2026.

“The Most Directional Color and Design Trends,” taking place March 30, 9:30–10:30 a.m., is the title of Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman’s conference. The executive director of the Pantone Color Institute will present her latest color and design trend program, “Sense-Abilities,” which examines the lifestyle cues and emotional triggers shaping consumer design choices.

Another must-attend education session slated for the first day of Coverings is “Get Inspired and Turbocharge Your Business,” taking place from 8–9 a.m. The program will spotlight standout selections from the Tile Heritage Foundation’s (THF) archive of more than 44,000 digital images, demonstrating how historical context can enrich storytelling, reinforce project authenticity, and inspire new concepts that resonate within today’s design landscape.

A dedicated Architecture & Design (A&D) Day, March 31, will expand Coverings 2026’s educational offerings with six American Institute of Architects (AIA)–accredited courses. These sessions are designed to equip architects and designers with practical knowledge and specification tools that strengthen project outcomes across residential and commercial work.

The A&D Day schedule will include CTDA’s “Why Tile” and “Health and Environmental Benefits of Ceramic Tile”. NSI will present “The Art of Specifying Natural Stone” and “Natural Stone and Green Design”. NTCA will round out the program with “Introduction to Tile Industry Standards, Methods and Best Practices” followed by “Specifying & Installing Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels/Slabs”.

Day 2 at Coverings 2026 will also highlight “Inspire, Lead, Grow: Opportunities for Emerging Professionals in Tile and Stone”. This interactive program is designed for emerging professionals and future leaders who want to define meaningful career paths, strengthen critical skill sets, attract and mentor new talent, and gain a deeper understanding of how leadership at all levels drives innovation and progress.

Those attending the Day 3 panel discussion, “Inside the Industry: Leaders on Tile Today” will glean perspective from leaders across all tile and stone sectors as they examine current market dynamics, supply chain considerations, evolving customer expectations and emerging business opportunities.