Tile Solutions Plus 2025: A New Chapter for the Tile Industry
The sun rose over the Arizona desert as hundreds of tile professionals from across the country gathered at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa in Phoenix for this year’s Tile Solutions Plus (TSP) conference, held October 27–29, 2025. What began over a decade ago as Total Solutions Plus has officially entered a new era — rebranded as Tile Solutions Plus, a name that reflects the industry’s collective momentum and forward focus.
For members of the Tile Contractors’ Association of America (TCAA), this year’s TSP was more than just a conference, it was a reunion, a learning lab, and a powerful reminder of what collaboration can accomplish.
A Gathering of Expertise and Energy
From the opening session, the atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm. Contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and educators all came together with a shared goal: to advance craftsmanship, elevate business practices, and strengthen relationships that sustain the tile industry.
Educational sessions offered something for everyone, from technical deep dives into installation standards and new materials to business seminars focused on leadership, profitability, and long-term sustainability. Workshops like Family Succession Planning for Contractors drew large crowds, underscoring the importance of preparing the next generation of leadership in this evolving trade.
Beyond the Classroom
But the learning didn’t stop in the meeting rooms. Attendees bonded over the annual golf tournament, enjoyed hikes through the desert trails, and took in the architectural brilliance of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West during an evening networking tour. These shared experiences captured the true spirit of TSP, professional development balanced with connection and community.
In the exhibit hall, manufacturers and suppliers showcased the latest in tile technology, tools, and materials. For TCAA contractors, it was an opportunity to connect directly with innovators and suppliers shaping the products they rely on every day, exchanging ideas and insights that will carry back to job sites across the country.
TCAA’s Voice and Vision
throughout the conference, TCAA’s presence was felt. Members participated in roundtables and discussions, ensuring the voice of union tile contractors remained central to conversations about quality, training, and workforce development. The event also highlighted how partnerships across the industry can elevate standards and strengthen the entire ecosystem.
As one attendee noted, “TSP always reminds us that while we may come from different corners of the industry, we all share the same foundation: pride in our craft and a drive to keep improving.”
Looking Ahead
As TSP 2025 came to a close, the rebrand to Tile Solutions Plus felt symbolic, a fresh name for a future built on collaboration, innovation, and craftsmanship. For TCAA and its members, the event reaffirmed the association’s leadership role in shaping the tile industry’s next chapter.
The countdown to
TSP 2026 has already begun as we turn our sights to Miami. With the promise of another opportunity for TCAA members to learn, lead, and build the future of trade together. If you are passionate about a certain topic, you want to see covered please reach out to our staff or board to share your thoughts as we start the planning process for next year.
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.