Coverings, the main worldwide tile and stone exhibition and convention in North America, has introduced 22 honorees for 2 of the present’s prestigious annual awards applications, together with this yr’s Rock Star Award recipients and the 2026 Coverings Champions, forward of the present’s return to the Las Vegas Conference Heart in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 30-April 2, 2026.
The Coverings Rock Stars, an Rising Leaders Program, emphasizes Coverings’ mission to assist the success and development of the tile and stone trade by celebrating one of the best and brightest younger leaders.
The 18 Coverings Rock Star inductees have been chosen following an in depth candidate assessment by a panel of tile and stone trade leaders. The winners hail from quite a few trade segments and comprise top-notch expertise recognized for fostering networking and academic alternatives.
Builder/Remodeler:
Catherine Atkins, Architectural Gross sales
Thorntree Positive Porcelain & Pure Stone
Dallas, Texas
Michael Ray, Proprietor
Ray’s Renovation
Ramer, Tennessee
Contractor/Installer:
Hector Ruiz, CEO
HR Tile
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Joppe Aguirre, Proprietor/Installer
Cascadia Tile Firm
Bend, Oregon
JP Baggett, Enterprise Growth
Elite Tile Setters
South Jordan, Utah
Mauricio Rapalo, Proprietor
Outstanding Tile
Houston, Texas
Neil Levens, Installer/Proprietor
Levens Renovations
Corpus Christi, Texas
Nicko Dimaandal, Proprietor and Artistic Director
Tsunami Properties
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Designer:
Angie Gonzalez, Principal Designer/Proprietor
Nico Tati Designs
Rockwall, Texas
Jennifer Hutton, Principal Designer/Artistic Director,
Grau Design Studio
Durham, North Carolina
Liany Arvelo, Designer II
C4 Structure
Orlando, Florida
Distributor:
Vidya Walia, CEO
Arista Worldwide
Tempe, Arizona
Producer:
Leonardo Guardia, Technical Director and Accomplice
Cortag Instruments USA Company
Hiram, Georgia
Different—Advertising and marketing:
Sara White, Affiliate Account Director
Novità Communications
New York, New York
Vanessa Leite, Advertising and marketing Supervisor
PBA Stones
Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil
Retailer:
Anna McCortney, Operations Supervisor
Final Flooring
Akron, Ohio
Jessica Jackson, Builder Gross sales and Design
L & L Flooring and Design
Nashville, Tennessee
Stone Fabricator:
Noah Marques, Supervisor
Marques Counter tops
Slidell, Louisiana
The Coverings Champions, an awards program first launched at Coverings 2025, acknowledges trade leaders for his or her excellent contributions and advocacy for the Coverings present and tile and stone neighborhood. These influential visionaries are devoted supporters who passionately promote the occasion and make investments vital time, power and assets to its development. By their involvement in instructional periods, knowledgeable panels, particular initiatives and outreach efforts, Coverings Champions drive trade innovation whereas elevating the Coverings expertise and the way forward for the tile and stone neighborhood at massive.
Coverings chosen 4 nominees for the 2026 Coverings Champion, Folks’s Selection Award and invited the tile and stone trade to vote. On-line voting came about February 9-20, 2026, giving the tile and stone neighborhood a robust voice in recognizing an trade chief who really makes a distinction. The 4 2026 Coverings Champions, Folks’s Selection Nominees have been:
Betty Sullivan
Chairman of the Board of Administrators
Architectural Ceramics, Architessa
Rockville, Maryland
Dan Welch
President
Welch Tile
Kent Metropolis, Michigan
Jennifer Richinelli
Editorial Director
Stone World
Verona, New Jersey
Scott Conwell
Director of Market Growth
Worldwide Masonry Institute
Chicago, Illinois
The 2026 Coverings Champion, Folks’s Selection recipient is Jennifer Richinelli, having obtained practically 1,500 votes. Richinelli, chosen by her friends throughout the tile, stone, and fabrication industries, is acknowledged for her unwavering dedication and excellent contributions to the trade and the Coverings present, together with serving on the Coverings Set up & Design (CID) Awards judging panel for greater than 15 years.
The 2026 Rock Star Awards & Coverings Champions Ceremony will happen in The Coverings Lounge, Sales space 6014, Monday, March 30, 4–5 p.m. PDT, honoring this yr’s Rock Stars alongside the 2026 Folks’s Selection Coverings Champion and Finalists. Showgoers are invited to take part within the festivities by attending the ceremony.
Coverings 2026 attendees can be taught extra in regards to the Rock Stars & Coverings Champions Awards Ceremony at coverings.com/coverings-rock-stars. For extra data and to register to attend Coverings 2026, go to Coverings.com.
