New record for Coverings 2005
The 2005 show, which closed on 6 May, reported a record attendance of 32,228 visitors, 9.4% up on 2004 (which in turn showed a 9.8% increase over 2003).
The greatest increase was amongst tile setters (up by 25%) and tile and stone specifiers (up by 17%). Attendance by retailers increased by 15%, manufacturers by 10% and contractors by 7%.
As for the geographical origin of the attendees, 86% were from the United States. Amongst the foreign visitors, 9% of the total were from the Americas and the remaining 5% from other continents.
On its final day, Coverings 2005 also saw a major operation against forgery of Italian tiles. Orlando district judges seized all the catalogues of the Chinese firm Onna Ceramiche and ordered their immediate withdrawal from the market.
The catalogues were deemed to have copied the products and merchandising of two Italian ceramic companies, Marca Corona and Viva (pictured: the judges during the seizure operation).
The organisers have published the dates of the next show, which will be held from 4 to 7 April 2006.
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