b"PRESIDENT'S LETTER hires and staff assignments for NTCAnewvoicesthechancetoprovide to accommodate widespread expan- input and support to the growth and sionofthesesought-afterregion- long-term success of our association. altrainingsessions.TheseeventsThose who choose to have deeper giveparticipantsin-depth,hands- engagementwiththeassociation on opportunities to collaborate withbenefit from the talents and energy friends, partnersand often compet- of the NTCA staff, regional directors, itorsin a supportive and creativestate ambassadors, and industry vol-format.Meanwhile,refreshedcon- unteers. Participation maximizes the tent for the NTCA Workshops withstrengths of our association, allow-additionalpresentersbringsnewing it to continue as a leader in the twistsandenergytotheprogram,industry and make meaningful con-along with fresh venues provided bytributions to the tile community. a growing number of sponsors.Associations are only successful if they provide value. NTCA generates CTEF engagement that value through volunteer partici-ManyNTCApresentersarealsopation,industrycollaborationand Certified TileInstaller(CTI)evalu- recognizingthecontributionsthe ators.NTCAhasstrengtheneditsassociation offers that are meaning-engagement with the Ceramic Tileful and in line with the needs and Education Foundation (CTEF). Whileexpectations of NTCAs members.CTEF remains a separate entity, newBecausesomanypeopleare CTEFstaff,alongwithNTCAsup- involved, its impossible to recognize port, brings the opportunity for bothand thank everyone individually for organizations to benefit from sharedthis years success of the association. resources. The CTEF CTI program isBut it is my pleasure to serve as pres-able to respond more effectively toident, and I look forward to working ourengagedinstallationcommu- with the NTCA team in 2020.nity that requests more CTI testing opportunities as well as Advanced Certification for Tile Installers (ACT)Chris Walkerexams. These goals should be real- NTCA Presidentized as a result of the NTCA/CTEFVice President, collaboration.David Allen CompanyChairman, ANSI A-108People make NTCA tick Chairman, US TAG ISO TC-189Adding to an already-proven effi- Board of Directors ABC-VAcient team can sometimes be risky.Voting Member TCNA HandbookLuckily,professionalsinmarketing,Voting Member training, social media and technicalNTCA Reference Manualarenas have blended together to givechriswalker@davidallen.com28TileLetter | January 2020"