Now in its 34th year, Ceramics of Italy said it will take part in Coverings – North America's largest international tile and stone exhibition to be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, from April 22-25.

Over 100 premier Italian brands producing innovative ceramic tile and installation products that demonstrate advancements in technology, sustainability, and design will showcase their latest collections at the Italian Pavilion.

The event is being organised by Confindustria Ceramica (the Association of Italian Ceramics).

The Ceramics of Italy will showcase a variety of standout products and innovative applications of tile, and Italian design, biophilia, and hospitality at its booth designed by leading architecture and interiors firm HDR.

Conceived as a modular framework that can be sustainably reused, the booth is intended to convey the industry’s core values as well as showcase the wide array of products and applications of Italian ceramics – from floating floors and a three-dimensional grid structure to custom-built benches and tabletops.

Visitors can explore the open space while enjoying authentic Italian coffee and pastries, from an adjacent café, prepared by long-time catering partner, Spuntino.

This year, Ceramics of Italy will unveil “Postcards from Cersaie" – a special new activation designed to transport visitors to the historic streetscapes of Bologna and celebrate the cherished memories of Cersaie attendees from the past 40 years.

Designed by Fashion Institute of Technology graduate students, with mentorship from HDR, the exhibit will feature a curated visual photography display framed within a series of iconic portico-inspired structures to showcase the architectural charm of Bologna and the enduring spirit of Cersaie.

With the show centring around four key tenets - Health & Wellness, Sustainability, Timeless Luxury, and Outdoor Spaces – visitors can expect to see a wide breadth of tile collections and installation materials in the Italian Pavilion correlating with these trends.

Italian manufacturers have expanded their selection of products for wellness-oriented space, specifically the kitchen and bath, offering everything from durable porcelain countertops to ready-made hygienic bathroom vanities and washbasins.

Lastly, from innovative pedestal systems and special pool coping pieces to weather-resistant large-format porcelain tiles for exterior facades and outdoor kitchen countertop use, visitors can find an abundance of tile products designed specifically for outdoor installations at this year’s show.

Also, eco-friendly products that are LEED-compliant, Greenguard certified, EPD certified, and more, will be on display.

Experimenting with high-definition digital printing has led Italian manufacturers to produce exotic and evocative stone and marble looks alongside breathtaking ceramic wallpaper renditions with a trompe l'oeil effect.

Cristina Faedi, trends expert for Ceramics of Italy, will participate in the annual "Global Tile Trends'' session alongside a panel of top industry professionals, where they will discuss the latest styles and innovations in ceramic tile design.

This talk will take place on Monday, April 22.

The Ceramics of Italy International Press Conference will take place on April 23. Giovanni Savorani, Chairman of Confindustria Ceramica, Emilio Mussini, Vice Chairman of Confindustria Ceramica, and Armando Cafiero, Director General of Confindustria Ceramica, will discuss the state of the industry and current sustainability initiatives.

Following this, Cristina Faedi, trends expert for Ceramics of Italy, will discuss what’s trending in Italian ceramic design and innovation, and Chris Abbate, Founder and CEO of Novità Communications, will provide pivotal updates for the esteemed Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition.

Additionally, top-ranking members of Confindustria Ceramica will reveal the 2024 recipient of the highly-coveted Confindustria Ceramica North American Distributor Award. This prestigious annual award honours a company that demonstrates an indispensable knowledge of their trade and consistently sources a wide selection of Italian ceramic products.

This year’s recipient will be honoured during a special celebration on April 23 at the Ceramics of Italy booth. TradeArabia News Service