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Tile Solutions Plus (TSP) 2026

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:17:11 GMT

Tile Solutions Plus 2026 Brings the Tile Industry Together in Miami Beach

The ceramic tile industry is heading to Miami Beach this fall for Tile Solutions Plus (TSP) 2026, taking place November 1–3 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Now in its fifteenth year, Tile Solutions Plus continues its mission of bringing the industry together to learn, connect, and strengthen relationships across every segment of the tile community.

Tile Solutions Plus is unique because it brings contractors, distributors, manufacturers, and other tile industry professionals together under one roof. For TCAA members, the conference provides an opportunity to connect not only with fellow contractors but also with the manufacturers, suppliers, and industry leaders who influence the products, standards, and practices that shape our work. Whether reconnecting with longtime colleagues or establishing new relationships, networking remains at the heart of the TSP experience.

Education, Ideas, and Industry Connections

Education is another important part of Tile Solutions Plus. Throughout the conference, attendees can participate in sessions led by experienced professionals from across the industry. Programming is designed to provide relevant information and perspectives that attendees can bring back to their businesses, while also creating opportunities to discuss the issues, opportunities, and changes affecting today's tile industry.

Beyond formal educational sessions, TSP provides valuable opportunities for conversations among professionals representing different parts of the industry. Bringing contractors, manufacturers, and distributors together allows participants to exchange ideas, learn from one another's experiences, and develop a better understanding of the challenges facing each segment of the tile community.

The conference also provides an opportunity for attendees to connect with exhibitors and learn more about products, services, and resources available to the industry. These interactions are an important part of TSP's broader goal of creating an environment where industry professionals can build relationships while staying connected to developments across the marketplace.

TCAA at Tile Solutions Plus

For the Tile Contractors' Association of America, Tile Solutions Plus is an important annual opportunity to engage with members, industry partners, and other organizations committed to advancing the ceramic tile industry. TCAA's participation helps ensure that the perspective and expertise of qualified tile contractors remain part of the broader industry conversation. TSP also gives TCAA members an opportunity to spend time together outside of the day-to-day demands of their businesses. The relaxed setting of Miami Beach provides a great backdrop for strengthening professional relationships, sharing experiences, and discussing the future of the industry. Whether you attend for the education, networking, industry connections, or simply the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, Tile Solutions Plus 2026 promises three days dedicated to bringing the tile industry together. TCAA members are encouraged to make plans now to join colleagues from across the country in Miami Beach.

Event Details

Dates: November 1–3, 2026
Location: Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida

IMI Upcoming Webinar

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 20:53:20 GMT

Improve Your Competitive Edge with Better Rainscreen Estimating

As rainscreen wall systems continue to gain popularity across commercial construction, contractors are finding that accurate estimating has become a critical factor in winning profitable work. Unlike traditional masonry assemblies, rainscreen systems incorporate multiple components—including support framing, continuous insulation, air and water barriers, attachment systems, and exterior cladding—that require careful coordination during both estimating and construction. Understanding how these systems are assembled and where costs are generated can help contractors avoid costly surprises and submit more competitive bids.

To help contractors navigate these challenges, the International Masonry Institute (IMI) is hosting Rainscreen Estimating and Case Studies , an educational webinar focused on practical estimating strategies backed by real-world project examples. The session is designed for estimators, project managers, and construction professionals looking to strengthen their understanding of rainscreen assemblies while improving bid accuracy and project profitability.

Participants will explore common estimating pitfalls, review best practices for evaluating rainscreen scope, and learn how early planning and collaboration can improve project outcomes. Through project case studies, attendees will gain insight into how successful teams account for materials, labor, sequencing, and constructability considerations before construction begins. The webinar also highlights the value of involving technical experts early in the design process to reduce risk, improve coordination, and identify cost-saving opportunities before bids are finalized.

As the building envelope continues to evolve, contractors who understand rainscreen systems are better positioned to compete for increasingly complex projects. IMI has invested heavily in technical education and workforce development, including its Rainscreen Certificate Program, which provides specialized training on rainscreen theory, installation techniques, building science, and quality control. These educational initiatives are helping contractors build expertise while giving owners and design professionals greater confidence in the teams constructing today's high-performance wall systems.

Whether your company is already installing rainscreen assemblies or is preparing to enter this growing market, this webinar offers practical knowledge that can be applied immediately to future projects. Better estimating leads to better project planning, stronger margins, and more successful project delivery.

Michigan Commercial Construction Forum

Sun, 31 May 2026 23:34:47 GMT

Michigan Commercial Construction Forum

October 15, 2026, Michigan Central Station - Detroit, MI

Join IMI and TCAA to discuss projects that are defining Michigan's future and require strong coordination, smarter execution, and reliable trade partnerships.

Click here for More Info & Registration Information: Michigan - Commercial Construction Forum

Event Overview:

Panel Discussion

Restoring Michigan Central Station
After more than thirty years of vacancy, the station entered a new chapter in 2018 when Ford Motor Company launched a major restoration, leading to its reopening in June 2024. Today, the building anchors the Michigan Central Innovation District in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood.

Guided Tour: Up Close with Michigan Central Station’s Transformation

Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Ms. Mary Culler, President, Ford Philanthropy, and Chair, Michigan Central Station Project
Industry leaders representing architecture, engineering, construction, and development sectors
IMI technical experts and construction professionals sharing applied field insights
Design professionals focused on high-performance building systems and materials
Contractors and project stakeholders bringing real-world project experience

2026-2027 Build It Better Series

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:52:48 GMT

Build It Better: Sponsorship Opportunities

The Build It Better sponsorship program, developed by the International Masonry Institute (IMI), offers organizations a strategic platform to support workforce development, industry training, and innovation in the masonry and construction sectors. The initiative focuses on strengthening the pipeline of skilled labor by investing in education, hands-on training, and outreach programs that elevate the quality and sustainability of construction practices. Sponsors play a key role in supporting training centers, apprenticeships, and educational resources that directly impact contractors, craftworkers, and the broader built environment.

Through tiered sponsorship levels, companies receive a range of visibility and engagement benefits, including brand recognition, access to industry events, and opportunities to connect with a highly targeted audience of professionals. The program is designed not only as a marketing opportunity, but as a meaningful investment in the future of the industry—aligning sponsors with efforts to improve safety, performance, and long-term workforce capacity. Build It Better positions sponsors as active contributors to advancing construction excellence and addressing the skilled labor gap.

Coverings 2026 Recap

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 23:54:18 GMT

Coverings 2026: Where the Industry Adapts—and Where Standards Are Built

Coverings 2026 brought the tile and stone industry together once again, showcasing the latest in products, installation systems, and design trends. But beyond the booths and demonstrations, this year’s show reflected something more important: a clear-eyed understanding of where the market stands—and what it will take to move forward. From the TCNA Press Breakfast to conversations across the show floor, the message was consistent. The industry is in a period of recalibration. Consumption is down, competition is tighter, and global supply chains continue to shift due to tariffs and sourcing changes. These pressures are not temporary; they are actively shaping how contractors operate. Success in this environment is not about waiting for conditions to improve—it’s about adapting in real time.

Manufacturers are responding accordingly, with innovation that directly supports the field. Advancements in large-format tile, installation materials, and sound mitigation systems are being developed with efficiency, durability, and jobsite performance in mind. For contractors, these are not just new products—they are practical tools that help offset tighter margins and rising expectations. Amid these shifts, one theme remained constant throughout the week: qualified labor is the foundation of the industry.

The Tile Contractors’ Association of America (TCAA) was proud to represent signatory contractors at Coverings, engaging with suppliers, partners, and industry leaders to ensure the voice of the installer is not just included, but prioritized. As products and specifications become more complex, the demand for skilled, trained professionals continues to grow. Quality installation is not optional—it is essential. Workforce development was also front and center. Industry-wide initiatives, including the Tennessee Workforce Initiative, underscore the urgency of building and sustaining a strong labor pipeline. For TCAA members, this is already a priority. Contractors who invest in training and apprenticeship programs are not only strengthening the industry—they are positioning themselves to meet demand, maintain quality, and stay competitive.

Just as important were the relationships strengthened throughout the week. Coverings continues to serve as a critical space for contractors and suppliers to connect, align, and problem-solve together. In a market where conditions can shift quickly, those relationships are a real advantage. While the show floor highlights innovation, another key part of Coverings happens behind the scenes—where the standards that guide the industry are developed.

Each year during Coverings, industry leaders convene for the ANSI ASC A108 Committee meeting, one of the most important yet often unseen gatherings shaping tile installation in the United States. This committee is responsible for developing and maintaining the national standards that define installation methods, material performance, workmanship, and long-term durability. These standards are the backbone of quality, consistency, and risk reduction across the industry.

TCAA plays a vital role in this process by representing the perspective of qualified labor contractors. By bringing real-world jobsite experience into the standards-setting process, TCAA helps ensure that these guidelines are not just technically sound, but also practical, enforceable, and aligned with how work actually gets done in the field. This includes providing input on key updates related to mortar coverage, substrate preparation, and clarifying the division of responsibilities between contractors and design professionals. At the same time, the committee continues to address emerging materials and systems, including foam core backer boards and field-fabricated tiling kits, while refining language to reduce ambiguity and improve consistency across projects.

If Coverings is where the industry sees what’s next, the ANSI A108 meetings are where the foundation is built.

The takeaway from Coverings 2026 is straightforward: the path forward will be defined by adaptation, collaboration, and a continued investment in people. TCAA remains committed to supporting contractors who lead in these areas and to advocating for the value of qualified labor—both on the jobsite and in the standards that guide it.

Chicago Commercial Construction Forum

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:23:28 GMT

Chicago Commercial Construction Forum

September 24, 2026, Obama Library - Chicago, IL

Join IMI and TCAA to discuss projects that are defining Chicago's future and require strong coordination, smarter execution, and reliable trade partnerships.

Click here for More Info & Registration Information: Chicago - Commercial Construction Forum

Event Overview

Panel Discussions

Building Better Through Collaboration
Focus on improving coordination between designers, contractors, and trades to drive project success
Designing for Performance & Resilience
Exploring material selection, building envelope performance, and long-term durability
Innovation in Construction Practices
New technologies, methods, and approaches improving efficiency and quality in the field
Bridging Design Intent & Constructability
How to ensure designs translate effectively into buildable, cost-efficient solutions
Workforce & Industry Challenges
Addressing labor, training, and maintaining quality craftsmanship in today’s market

Speakers

Industry leaders representing architecture, engineering, construction, and development sectors
IMI technical experts and construction professionals sharing applied field insights
Design professionals focused on high-performance building systems and materials
Contractors and project stakeholders bringing real-world project experience

Continuing Education for BAC Signatory Contractors

joy@joyofmembership.com (Joy Duling) — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 12:46:04 GMT

IMI Continuing Education
Learning Opportunities for Signatory Contractors

Click "View Learning Opportunities" to check out upcoming webinars, or to register to view previous "on demand" webinars.
Be sure to check back periodically for additional education opportunities.

Each of the programs listed are registered with AIA for 1.0 Learning Units (LUs) , and some qualify for HSW and/or IDCEC CEUs. BAC tile and stone contractors receive 1.0 hours toward IMI Contractor College and TCAA Trowel of Excellence continuing education requirements. Presenters provide certificates for self-reporting to all attendees

For more info contact Scott Conwell (IMI) sconwell@imiweb.org (630) 396-3144 - www.imiweb.org