In what has become an annual tradition, Coverings exhibitors once again teamed with Tile Partners for Humanity (TPFH), donating tons of excess tile, stone, adhesives and other valuable materials from the four-day expo. The contribution was being shared with Mountain Re-Source Center and Asset Recycling, which both distribute building and construction supplies to nonprofit programs around the country. A quantity of the materials was headed to respond to an immediate rebuilding need that arose during Coverings as tornadoes destroyed scores of homes in Virginia.

Five trailer trucks of donated goods shipped out of Orlando's Orange County Convention Center following the show. Volunteers from Freeman, the service contractor for Coverings, collected and loaded the vehicles. "The relationship between Coverings and Tile Partners for Humanity has grown to be a tremendous way for exhibitors to generously express their appreciation to the local community and at the same time demonstrate their commitment to being environmentally responsible, repurposing the excess or used tiles from the shows in the most positive and meaningful way," said Glenn Feder, president of client events for National Trade Productions, which manages and produces the show.

Ally Fertitta Venugopal, executive director of TPFH, said, "We are thrilled with the generous donations from Coverings and its exhibitors this year. This is the fifth year that we've partnered with Coverings, and exhibitors continue to recognize the value of sharing their excess material. The products are incredible, and we are excited that they will be used in disaster relief and other community improvement projects around the country. There are so many ways that these beautiful products can be used and we can't wait to see the finished results."

Coverings also made a donation of the tiled golf putting green it had commissioned as the stage for this year's opening ceremony. The modular components for this setting, which featured tiles and materials contributed by exhibitors, were delivered to the KLD Youth Foundation in Merritt Island, FL, which provides after-school learning and recreational programs for youngsters at risk. The putting green was a commissioned artwork designed and built by students from Clemson University's Schools of Ceramic Engineering and Visual Arts. It included a bench, whose backside mosaic mural portrayed the setting sun and its reflection in the water, a tropical berm strewn with palm fronds and other Florida foliage, and a life-size alligator.