BUSINESS TIP By now, your Coverings plan- ning should be in full swing. Do you have a strategy for navigating the thousands of square feet in the Orange County Convention Center, and seeing all the education ses- sions, demos, features and products you desire, while leaving time to attend parties and network with your peers? How do you do it? We asked several NTCA con- tractors about their approach to the show – what they focus on and what comes up first in their lists. And if they have a strategy for getting it all done in four days. John Mourelatos of Mourelatos Tile Pro in Tucson, Ariz., keeps it simple by making a beeline for classes and demos and other educational opportunities. “I like to talk to other contractors about technical and business topics, too,” he said. “I schedule my time around education.” Josh Castelli of Christian Brothers Flooring in Lakeside, Calif., said he scours Coverings for “some- thing that will make me or my company more efficient – a tool, software, or more information on fabri- cation, since I’m look- ing to grow into this. I’m considering the longevity of my career as my knees give out.” Jason Jones of Jones Tile, Columbia, Ala., went to his first Coverings last year, with the intent of meeting “as many of the crazy characters I’ve met online in per- Making the most of Coverings Strategies to make the show work for you Lesley Goddin, Editor sponsored by John Mourelatos, Mourelatos Tile Pro Josh Castelli, Christian Brothers Flooring, with his son 20 TileLetter | 2019