Flooring Sustainability Summit 2025 Recap
IS IT THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG?
John Trendell, Labor Committee Chair
The second annual Flooring Sustainability Summit was held in Washington DC, July 16 & 17. There were almost 250 attendees representing all different types of flooring and all aspects of the industry from architects to manufacturers to installation. Once again, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) put on a first-class program of experts, workshops, and speakers. In attendance representing TCAA were Ed Conners, president of the Greater NY and NJ Tile Contractors Association and myself. Our partners, IMI and IUBAC, were well represented with four participants.
The first portion of the program was a discussion of the changing landscape of sustainability. While there was common agreement that market driven forces are always the preferred impetus to providing well-built healthy buildings using sustainable materials and practices, public policy certainly can provide additional help in meeting these goals.
Right now there are federal initiatives for less regulations but that does not preclude state and local interests in sustainability. There is also the AIA materials pledge which adheres to good sustainable practices. And most encouraging, private practices in sustainability are growing.
During one of the panel discussions I heard, at least for me, the most interesting comment of the entire program from a gentleman representing union labor. He pointed out that labor represents anywhere from 40-60 percent of the cost of flooring. So, without a qualified well-trained workforce, green initiatives and proper design fail. Absolutely!
The final keynote speaker was an architect with both a cautionary and positive outlook for the future of sustainability practices going forward. We have not done enough. But a simple question he poses to all his clients, do you want a safe, secure, and healthy building for the people and for our environment?
So, as I suggested in the title, how do we go about reaching our goals? Of course, it doesn’t matter how or what methods we use. In fact, a multi-pronged set of actions, taken on by all of us, will help insure that we are doing the right things to build great buildings the right way.
I look forward to our continued efforts and to next year’s Flooring Sustainability Summit!
IMI & TCAA Team Up for Modern Tile Finishes Seminar: Designing & Detailing for Project Success Recap
The Modern Tile Finishes event kicked off with a strong start, featuring an engaging morning of networking and tabletop exhibits with our generous supplier sponsors, MAPEI, Daltile, Panaria, Custom Building Products, Portobello America, and LATICRETE. Their continued partnership and support are key to advancing excellence in tile design and installation. Following the networking session, Scott Conwell, IMI Director of Industry Development and Technical Services, delivered an insightful presentation on the materiality of tile, offering architects, designers, and contractors a deeper understanding of the ANSI standards that guide proper tile installations and define what qualifies as ceramic tile. His session set the stage for thoughtful discussions about the relationship between design intent, materials, and skilled union craftsmanship. The second half of the program featured two panel discussions highlighting real-world applications of modern tile design and installation, brought to life through the expertise of union tile craftworkers: Joe Battaglia of BAC Local 1 and Britni Lettsome, Associate VP with the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corp, shared lessons learned from the Liberty View Independence Visitor Center Remodel, emphasizing collaboration between design professionals and highly trained union installers to successfully complete a project on a tight timeline. Kevin Trevisan and Anthony Torres from Roman Mosaic closed the program with an in-depth look at their work on the Equinox Fitness Center, showcasing how qualified union labor and technical precision elevate even the most complex installations. The event underscored the vital connection between union labor, innovative materials, and design excellence, reinforcing how collaboration across the architecture, design, and contracting communities ensures that tile installations are not only beautiful but built to endure.
The future of the tile industry was on full display in Detroit this September, as apprentices from across the United States and Canada competed in the BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest. Hosted by the International Masonry Institute (IMI), this biennial event is the largest of its kind, bringing together the top one percent of apprentices from International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC) training programs. Over two days, contestants demonstrated their skill, precision, and dedication across multiple crafts. Each apprentice was challenged to complete complex, real-world projects under strict time limits, with judging based on layout, craftsmanship, neatness, safety, and overall aesthetics. For TCAA members, the Tile category shined especially bright. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of this year’s winners: 1st Place: Mariusz Sarat, ADC 1 of Illinois 2nd Place: Neil Hough, ADC 1 of Illinois 3rd Place: Randall Williams, Local 1 PA-DE These tile champions represent the future of our industry, bringing forward not only technical skill but also the pride and professionalism that define union apprenticeship. Their accomplishments underscore the importance of investing in structured training programs, which provide apprentices with a debt-free path to success while ensuring that we as contractors can depend on a highly skilled workforce. Kevin Trevisan of Roman Mosaic, the employer of third-place winner Randall Williams, shared his pride in Randall’s success: “We are incredibly proud of Randall. It’s exciting to see the future of the tile industry is in good hands with talented apprentices like him stepping up to take their place in the trade.” TCAA congratulates Mariusz, Neil, and Randall on their achievements and extends our appreciation to the IUBAC, IMI, and all training coordinators and contractors who make this contest possible. Events like these reinforce what we already know: the craft of tile setting is in capable hands for generations to come.