As we move into the fall, we focus on a number of training events and technical stories in this issue. Our Business Tip on the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone gives information on some online cours- es that can enhance your knowl- edge and professionalism. NTCA Technical Trainer Robb Roderick’s Tech Talk story on mock-ups is a comprehensive story on something we don’t discuss that often but that is really essential to the success of an installation – creating a mock- up to not only fully visualize how the product will look, but also troubleshoot other aspects about the job such as lighting that will impact its ultimate success. In our Thin Tile/GPTP section, MAPEI’s Dan Marvin reports on a thin tile seminar and demo that took place at Coverings and the essential information presented and demonstrated on this increas- ingly popular tile format. In our Training & Education section, we spotlight the NTCA Five Star Contractor Summer Meeting, held in Nashville, Tenn., and the caliber of technical and business training that took place, in addition to a tour of Daltile’s Dickson, Tenn., manufacturing plant. Ron Meler was the business speaker at this Five Star meet- ing, and in this issue he shares his expertise on the change order process, to help you navigate what can be a complex and confusing aspect of doing business. We also check in with NTCA member Stephen Belyea of JSG Tile & Stone in Weymouth, Mass., to learn about his path to profes- sional tile setting when he started out as a profession- al chef! And we spotlight Hawthorne Tile’s challeng- ing and beautiful install of first, a mermaid mosaic by EDITOR’S LETTER Lesley A. Goddin Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. – John F. Kennedy Photo courtesy of Artcraft Granite, Marble & Tile Co 12 TileLetter | September 2018