TCAA Tile Talk Monthly

April 2025

Schluter® is Celebrating 50 years of SCHIENE

The original profile that set the standard for durability, protection, and timeless design in tile installations.

For 50 years, Schluter®-SCHIENE has set the standard for protecting tile edges and ensuring a clean, professional finish. What started as Werner Schlüter’s innovative solution to exposed edges is now a global icon in the tile industry. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor SCHIENE's legacy and look to the future of tile edge protection.

Sustainability Series: LEED Credits Using Natural Stone

Discover how natural stone plays a vital role in sustainable design at the upcoming session LEED Credits Using Natural Stone, part of the Materials & Trends: Sustainability series at Coverings 2025 in Orlando, FL. Leading the conversation is Scott Conwell, FAIA, FCSI, LEED AP, Director of Industry Development at the International Masonry Institute. Known for his extensive experience at the intersection of architecture, sustainability, and masonry, Conwell will offer expert insight into how natural stone contributes to LEED credits through strategies such as ethical sourcing, low embodied carbon, and the use of salvaged materials. His presentation will help design professionals evaluate the true environmental value of natural stone and implement its use in high-performance building projects.

Joining Scott Conwell are Sarah Gregg, Marketing Director of the Natural Stone Institute, and Holley Henderson, LEED Fellow and founder of H2 Ecodesign. Together, the panel will delve into the technical and ethical considerations surrounding natural stone, offering practical guidance for architects, designers, and builders aiming to meet rigorous green building standards. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders and enhance your sustainable design toolkit.

When: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM EDT

Location: S230C

Moderator & Presenter: Sarah B Gregg

                                         Marketing Director

                                         Natural Stone Institute

Presenter: Scott Conwell, FAIA, FCSI, LEED AP

                   Director of Industry Development

                   International Masonry Institute

Presenter: Holley Henderson, LEED Fellow, Fitwel Ambassador, WELL AP 

                   Speaker/Consultant/Author

                   H2 Ecodesign

2025 IUBAC National Apprenticeship Contest

A Window into our Future!

This Spring, IUBAC Locals across the country are holding competitions in 8 different trade classifications for their apprentices. Of course, one of those is tile setting. The young apprentices will be performing installations of specially designed assemblies that require expertise in layout, trim, cut to size, setting, and grouting of ceramic tile. Winners of local competitions then go on to regional events where the skill levels are even more impressive. 

This year’s regionals are: 

• Western Region: May 10 - Las Vegas IUBAC Training Center, 3900 W. Quail Ave.

• Northeast Regional: May 22 - Atlantic City, Caesars Event Center

• Northcentral Regional: May 29 - 17125 W. Cleveland Ave. New Berlin, WI  53151

The culmination of the competitions will be the finals, held this year at the IUBAC National Convention in Detroit, Michigan. The all-day event takes place at the Huntington Place, Hall D on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

I have had the privilege and the awesome responsibility of judging 3 of these national events. I say responsibility because the skill levels and the tile work are of such high quality it is extremely difficult to judge. We are talking about accuracies in layout and installations where 1/32 of inch can decide winning projects!

Truly these events are a window into the future of the skilled craftworkers that our signatory contractors can expect when we collaborate with IUBAC and IMI training and apprenticeship programs.

TCAA will be providing a hospitality room for our contractors and their guests at the national event in Detroit this coming September. The public is welcome at all these events as well.  As the national event gets closer, we will be providing more up to date information.

-John Trendell, TCAA Labor Chair