TCAA Tile Talk Monthly

November 2025

Tile Solutions Plus 2025:

A New Chapter for the Tile Industry

The Tile Solutions Plus (TSP) 2025 conference, held October 27–29 at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa in Phoenix, marked a defining moment for the tile industry as it embraced a new name and renewed vision. Formerly known as Total Solutions Plus, the event reflected the industry’s collective momentum toward innovation, collaboration, and craftsmanship. Hundreds of professionals — contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and educators — gathered to exchange ideas and strengthen relationships that sustain the trade. Educational sessions ranged from technical deep dives into installation standards to business-focused seminars on leadership, profitability, and sustainability. Workshops like Family Succession Planning for Contractors emphasized the importance of preparing future industry leaders, while networking activities, including golf outings, desert hikes, and an evening tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, fostered camaraderie and connection among attendees.

In the exhibit hall, suppliers and manufacturers showcased cutting-edge products and technologies shaping the future of tile installation. Members of the Tile Contractors’ Association of America (TCAA) played a visible role throughout the event, engaging in roundtables and discussions that elevated union craftsmanship and workforce development as central themes. The rebranding to Tile Solutions Plus symbolized not just a name change but a commitment to the continued evolution of the industry — one grounded in excellence, partnership, and pride in the craft. As TSP 2025 concluded, anticipation began building for TSP 2026 in Miami, where TCAA and its partners will once again gather to celebrate progress, share expertise, and shape the next chapter of the tile industry together.

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Crafting Excellence: Highlights from the Modern Tile Finishes Event

The Modern Tile Finishes event brought together architects, designers, contractors, and union craftworkers for a dynamic day of professional exchange and learning. Sponsored by leading suppliers including MAPEI, Daltile, Panaria, Custom Building Products, Portobello America, and LATICRETE, the event opened with networking and exhibits before featuring an engaging presentation by Scott Conwell of IMI on the materiality of tile and ANSI installation standards. Two project panels followed: Joe Battaglia and Britni Lettsome discussed the Liberty View Independence Visitor Center remodel, while Kevin Trevisan and Anthony Torres of Roman Mosaic shared insights from the Equinox Fitness Center project. Together, these sessions highlighted the power of collaboration, technical precision, and union craftsmanship in achieving durable, high-quality tile installations that unite design intent with skilled execution.

A SPECTATOR’S PERSPECTIVE 

After having judged the ceramic tile portion of the last 3 National Apprenticeship contests (2010,2015,2022) I decided I would be a spectator for the 2025 contest held September 26,27 in Detroit during the IUBAC International Convention.  Judging these contests is very challenging to say the least.  The installations are of the highest quality, accomplished  by apprentices who have competed locally and regionally and have reached the nationals.

While ceramic tile is naturally of great interest to me there are 8 different areas of skills being contested, Brick, PCC, Tile, Cement, Terrazzo, Marble, Stone, and Plaster.  And yes, most of our TCAA members have worked with a number of these installation materials.  That was one of the treats I had regarding visiting  and viewing all the different craft areas.  The work of each craft was exceptional.

Speaking of treats, TCAA sponsored a hospitality room for contractors, labor representatives, and family and friends of the participants in the contest.  Thanks go out to IMI for providing a continental breakfast and box lunches for our guests.  It was great fun meeting and talking to old friends and new ones, especially some of the family members who were so proud of their apprentices.

Of course, my favorite part of the contest is the awards banquet.  The excitement of the awardees, their families, and especially the local union representatives who proudly cheered their home-grown talent was tremendous. 

Everyone I see at these contests are winners.  The excitement and pride the people who teach and represent the apprentices, their  families and the contractors who employ and work with these men and women is truly inspirational.

-John Trendell