Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2024 26 THE INTERNATIONAL SURFACE EVENT (TISE) IS ANNOUNCING AN EXCITING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS (ASID) Registration is now open for the ASID Inside SURFACES Tours, a joint venture between The International Surface Event (TISE) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The two organizations have partnered to debut a series of free tours pairing insightful educational segments with curated stops at leading surface manufacturers, with insightful educational segments during the upcoming TISE show, January 24-26, 2024 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. ASID Inside SURFACES Tour Host Wendy Glaister, Allied ASID, principal and owner of Wendy Glaister Interiors said, "I am thrilled to be kicking off the inaugural launch of this new partnership and for the opportunity to bring ASID members together like never before. As past president of the ASID CA/Central Nevada Chapter, I have always valued the organization's ability to forge stronger connections that connect and uplift our design community." The ASID tours are a free and exciting opportunity that will deliver inspiring brand discovery by introducing participants to the innovative world of hard and soft surfaces while they expand their resources. The partnership between TISE and ASID was created to increase show traffic and introduce designers and help them experience The International Surface Event (TISE) as never before, by offering a special ASID Inside SURFACES Tour with a two-day events program that will deliver curated and guided tours where designers will visit the top surface, stone, tile, and mosaic brands exhibiting at TISE 2024. ASID Inside Surfaces Tour is for (50) ASID designer members in good standing who can sign up to participate in one of two curated and guided half-day tour options, either on the afternoon of Thursday, January 25 or the morning of Friday, January 26. Tour participants will also receive a free three-day exhibit hall pass to the show, plus access to educational events and access to an exclusive VIP Lounge for refreshments and group networking. Interested brands exhibiting at TISE are encouraged to register to participate and be featured in the 10-12 stops over the two-day program. Each of the hand-selected brands will get a 20-minute presentation time slot in their booth where representatives will educate tour guests about their company's features, benefits, products, and services. SURFACES, home to the broadest and most in-depth display and resource center of soft and hard surface materials and services in North America, is held annually as a mega event under The International Surface Event (TISE) branding. This mega-event, which includes SURFACES, StonExpo and TileExpo, offers design, surface, and construction professionals access to over 600 leading surface, stone, tile and mosaic exhibitors, and delivers insightful education, events, and certification programs. SURFACES is packed wall-to-wall, as The International Surface Event show floor is 99% SOLD OUT and is packed with flooring, hardwood, LVP, carpet, and rugs, as well as the largest SURFACES exhibit hall yet! Take advantage of the ultimate discovery of products, resources, and education for industry pros with these special opportunities: 600+ Industry Manufacturers, NWFA Hardwood Pavilion, COVER Connect Luxury Rug Pavilion, Wools Pavilion, Sessions at the SURFACES Theatre, Startup Station featuring New Business Launches, Puppy Love Wellness Lounge, Live Demos on the TISE Live Demo Stage, National Installer of the Year Competition, happy hours, parties, and networking galore! ASID Inside SURFACES Tour multi-events program is developed with the executive and marketing teams of TISE, tour host, Shane Jones, Allied ASID, Senior Manager of Development, Industry Partnerships at ASID, tour producer Serena Martin, 24/7 Creative Agency and tour host, Wendy Glaister who will map out the (10-12) tour stops, provide personalized introductions, and teach tour participants how to navigate North America's Largest Surface Event, TISE, like a pro. Wendy and Shane as co-hosts for the tour will share expert advice on their experiences producing tours and connecting with brands. Wendy will also share insights into her decades-long career as an award-winning interior and kitchen and bath designer and her experience working with hard and soft surfaces. The concept of a guided tour of TISE comes after the success that tour producers Wendy and Serena saw with similar tours partnering with other design industry associations and events, where they helped introduce over 80 designers to 25 brands over the last two years. Those tours and partnerships with two trade organizations also garnered Wendy Glaister the designation of 2023 Person of Year - Praiseworthy Pick by Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine. ASID Inside SURFACES Tour Producer, Serena Martin, 24/7 Creative Agency, said, "While developing the idea for designer tours at TISE with Wendy, we really wanted to help inspire fellow interior designers with exciting brand discovery and the incredible education that this show provides. Adding that these tours offer the opportunity for a first-class introduction inside the world of SURFACES and will enable ASID members more exciting resources that will elevate their Kitchen & Bath projects in 2024 and beyond." I N D U S T R Y [ N E W S ]

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