On August 20 the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre will stage the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE). Visitors will discover a huge variety of exotic natural stones from Italy, Spain, Turkey, Brazil, Egypt, India, Iran, China, New Zealand, Indonesia, Germany and Portugal, and Australian bluestone, granite, marble, limestone and sandstone materials.

Key suppliers of natural and engineered stone products include Cairns Marble, CDK Stone, Cinajus, Ege Antik Marble, Erdem Marble, Federal Marble, Fratelli Poggi, Gosford Quarries, Heritage Stone Restorations, Le Ponte Marmi, Marble Plus, Melocco Stone, RMS marble, Sareen Stone, Sarkis Sandstone, The Select Stone Gallery, Stones of Arabia and WK Marble & Granite.

Prime manufacturers and distributors of ceramic tiles, porcelain, terracotta and metal tiles and glass mosaic include Artistic Stone, Arte Domus, Belmondo Tiles, Ceramica Cleopatra, Eureka Tiles, Everstone, Impronta Ceramiche, Ocean + Merchant, Renaissance Tiles, Southern Cross Ceramics, Trend Australasia, and RAK the third largest producer of ceramic tiles in the world.

Virtually every facet of tile and stone installation, care and maintenance will be addressed by leading manufacturers and suppliers of acoustic underlays, adhesives, grouts, stone processing equipment and machinery, sealants, sealers, tiling tools and waterproofing membranes including Aquamix, ASA Bostik, B.A.T Trims, Breton, DuPont, Farnese, Gabbett, Laticrete, Mapei, the Original Tool Company, Parex Davco, RLA Polymers, Uniroll and our single largest exhibitor CDK Stone.

The FFTSE seminars will address the hot topic of Permeable Paving and industry major Boral Masonry will exhibit a variety of Permeable Paving options and additional materials on stand H 14. The synergy between tile and sanitary ware is demonstrated by the presence of Australia's leading producer Caroma Dorf (stand H7) and RAK and Ceramica Cleopatra. Both companies will display contemporary tile and sanitary ware combinations.

FFTSE Is Focused on Education

An average of 84 persons have registered to attend each FFTSE seminar session. Education is a key component of the event.

The 3 day programme of 'FREE' FFTSE tile & stone seminars presented by more than 20 authoritive speakers from 8 countries, and the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo Formal Training Sessions have been classified as an Australian Institute of Architects Recognized Activity.

Participation in the FFTSE tile & stone seminars accrues one (1) informal CPD point per hour of sessions attended. Attendance at FFTSE Formal Training Sessions accrues one (1) Formal CPD point per hour attended towards the Australian Institute of Architects continuing professional development scheme.

The following activities have been recognised with CPD points values as shown

FFTSE will stage a world class series of seminars featuring 24 speakers from 8 countries including heads of industry from Confindustria Ceramica, Italy and the Tile Council of North America. The Australian Tile Council and the Australian Stone Advisory Association will present interactive forums on industry development. (click here to view full programme).

Exhibitors will meet major buyers as part of a programme established to encourage attendance by key decision makers from all states and territories. The Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre is ideally located in close proximity to the offices of numerous architects, designers and builders, who will be approached via an extensive campaign of regular and electronic mail, and a tele-marketing campaign conducted by Avviso PR.

Click here to read about a variety of special exhibits, which include a Pool tiling demonstration, Ceramic tile ~ a fire resistant building material, and a Stone carving feature.

Visitors will discover a large range of new materials from manufacturers and distributors of ceramic tiles, natural stone, glass mosaic, CNC machinery, tiling tools and allied products.

Exhibitors include Trend Australasia, RAK Ceramics, Impronta Ceramiche, Artistic Stone, CDK Stone, Essegra, Laticrete, Mapei, Melocco Stone and Southern Cross Ceramics.

FFTSE will provide exhibitors with an opportunity to promote new products, reinforce their brand and meet established and potential clients face to face.

As we finalise the FFTSE seminar program, we are fortunate to be able to release a few details of some extremely exciting and essential presentations.

David Sharp (CEO, Building Products Innovation Council) will present "Life Cycle Inventory - the foundation stone for sustainable building". This project will establish a critically important new paradigm for design and procurement decisions when selecting building products and materials.

Luciano Galassini (Confindustria Ceramica, Italy) will present a general overview on sustainability; Prof Alessandro Tenaglia (Centro Ceramico Bologna) will discuss the use of ceramic tiles from an environmental perspective; and Prof Giorgio Timellini (Centro Ceramico Bologna) will present an update on the development of new functional characteristics for ceramic tile surfaces.

Jonas Medeiros (Inovatec Consultores Associados, Brazil) will reveal how to design and specify adhesive fixed tiled facades for high rise buildings.

Glenn Prince (Laticrete International) will provide an update on Chinese fixing practices. Thomas Kuntze (Ardex Germany) will present "Discoloration-free laying of natural stone"; Vittorio Riunno (Mapei Italy) will consider "Efflorescence and the new grout standards"; Dale Kempster (Schluter Canada) will discuss uncoupling as a means of overcoming differential movements and other adverse conditions.

Peter Hartog (Building Diagnostics Asia Pacific) will reflect on the need for continuing education within the tiling industry – are we condemned to repeat the same mistakes?

Mike Marciniak (RLA Polymers) will consider "The challenges of tiling on steel trowelled concrete". John Moses (Bostik ASA) will talk about some environmental aspects of adhesives.

Colin Cass will define hazing and what constitutes a problem. Richard Bowman will demonstrate some slip resistant design and specification practices. Tibor Bode (Global Safe Technologies) will discuss "Socially responsible surface remedial treatments". Barry Schafer will review the forthcoming standards for external waterproofing of tiled balconies. Garry Phillips (Slique) will canvass "Best practices in stone and tile maintenance". Jim Mann (Stone Initiatives & Materials Testing Group) will preview the development of Australian Standards for fixing stone tiles. Hans Dieter Hensel (Hensel Geosciences) will present "How to design sustainable rigid-fix external stone paving". Jasper Swann will reveal the benefits of understanding Yellowblock sandstone. Peter Mitchelhill (Husqvarna Construction Products) will highlight "A CNC Revolution in the Stone Industry".

More details of these and other important presentations will be disclosed soon.

Register to attend FFTSE and book a seat at our seminars from February 19.

In 2005-06 more than 650,000 bathrooms were installed in Australia. (Source: Housing Industry Association HIA)

This impressive figure was actually slightly lower than the previous year.

HIA spokesperson Simon Tennett said "Kitchens and bathrooms continue to be the most important rooms in the home".

The Full Frontal Tile and Stone Expo (FFTSE) 2009 will feature a sanitary ware section, which will include displays of ceramic tiles, glass mosaic and natural stone co-ordinated with contemporary sanitary ware products.

A separate segment of the floor space will be set aside for a display of 'Disabled Compliant Fixtures and Fittings'.

Bis Schrapnel Australia's leading forecasting service recently stated that increased immigration in 2009 will in all probability ensure that the demand for housing will remain healthy. Both the HIA and Bis Schrapnel predict that recent falls in interest rates will stimulate the housing market.

With many first home buyers entering the market and many established home owners choosing to renovate, demand for bathroom fittings and fixtures, ceramic tiles and natural stone products, should remain relatively strong.

Cersaie (Italy) and Cevisama (Spain), two of the world's major ceramic tile shows also feature sanitary ware. In fact the sanitary ware component of these shows is the fast growing element of each event.

FFTSE 2009 will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in August 2009. Leading PR agency Avviso will promote FFTSE to architects and designers. FFTSE will be promoted extensively in appropriate architectural and industry journals and via a focused campaign of direct and electronic mail. The public can attend FFTSE on Saturday August 22.

Negotiations are underway with a number of companies. In addition, we expect that the majority of 'pink' reservations on the attached plan will become confirmed bookings during the next few weeks. We expect that in excess of 60 per cent of the available floor space will be sold by mid-December.

FFTSE will feature a 3-day series of tile and stone seminars and additional formal training sessions for specifiers which will be conducted in a class room setting.

Two 54 square metre sites have been set aside for display of Best New Tile, Stone & Product submissions (above) and the Scape Bar & Grill.

All elements of FFTSE including our tiling competition, Stonemason at Work exhibit, and tiled displays of Sanitary Ware, Disabled Compliant Fixtures & Fittings, Paving & Landscaping products and fascinating Intelligent Tiles will be extensively promoted by Avviso a Sydney based PR agency. Avviso will promote FFTSE via a series of media releases and a telemarketing campaign which will focus on architects and interior designers based in NSW, ACT and Queensland.

Major specifiers will be contacted nationally courtesy of a sustained campaign of direct and electronic mail. Avviso will organise press releases which will appear in relevant publications many of which will carry advertisements for FFTSE.

Promotion of the sanitary ware and other feature locations is about to commence.

To view our current floor plan click here.

BIS Schrapnel, Australia's leading research analysis and forecasting service announced on 3 November that it "expects that residential property prices will rise over the course of 2009, following a weak performance in 2008."

Managing director, Robert Mellor said, "We do not expect that recent weakness represents the beginning of a sustained decline in prices, of the type that is underway in the U.S. and the U.K."

BIS Schrapnel reported:

For the first time ever, the national value of new housing construction in 2007/08 was exceeded by the value of private sector investment in engineering construction projects. This outcome represents a pronounced changing in gears for the Australian economy.

The strength of engineering construction activity, led by the mining sector, has boosted national economic growth and created shortages of skilled labour across many sectors. In response, companies have increasingly drawn on overseas workers to fill job vacancies. As a result, net overseas migration jumped to an estimated 195,000 persons in 2007/08, and is forecast to reach a new record level of 230,000 persons in 2008/09.

This population boost is creating unprecedented demand for housing. National underlying demand for new dwellings was estimated to be 158,000 per annum over the five years to 2005/06. Underlying demand is forecast to average 185,000 new dwellings per annum over the 2008/09 to 2012/13 period.

BIS Schrapnel recent Long Term Forecasts 2008-2023, predict that interest rates will be lowered during 2008/09. BIS Schrapnel believes the Reserve Bank of Australia will not allow the sharp slowdown in retail spending and building approvals witnessed in the first half of 2008 to cause further contraction in employment, spending and investment. The recent successive 0.25, 1.00 and 0.75 per cent reductions in interest rates are an indication of that commitment. The last time lending rates were at these levels was in December 2003.

NEW SOUTH WALES FORECASTS

The Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo will be held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre in August 2009. In spite of the decline in construction which has beset NSW in the recent past NSW still imports and consumes more tile and stone products, than any other state.

2007/08 - Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Leading Imports by State - Ceramic Tile

NSW - 10.6 million square metres

QLD - 9.4 million square metres

VIC - 7.4 million square metres

ABS - Natural Stone - Calendar Year 2007

NSW - AU$57,170,000

VIC - AU$28,258,000

QLD - AU$25,101,000

BIS Schrapnel report that the outlook for building activity in New South Wales is positive.

Building activity in New South Wales has been close to flat for almost a decade, and is due for an upturn. Building commencements are forecast to rise by 10 per cent in 2008/09, followed by an eight per cent increase in 2009/10. Expansion should be led by residential building, which has been running at very low levels for the past three years. Population growth has recovered, and housing supply is well below underlying demand, so the tight rental market will persist for the remainder of this decade.

In a statement published on 3 November the HIA confirmed that relative to other forms of investment housing is doing very well. HIA Chief Executive - Policy, Mr Chris Lamont said, "There is no doubt that the recent drops of housing rates and a top-up in the First Home Owners Grant will also help in putting a floor under house prices."

Treasurer Wayne Swann confirmed that the recent economic woes will have an effect on the economy, with predictions of growth in the economy reduced to an average of 2 per cent per annum over the next 4 years.

In response to the results of our ‘Exhibitors Survey’ the organisers of the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) have introduced an area dedicated to the display of landscaping and paving products. Suppliers of ceramic and natural stone materials suitable for external application can display their tiles and pavers in an environment focused on outdoor living and entertainment.

The Scape Bar & Grill will form an integral part of this themed area. Visitors to FFTSE can purchase a glass of wine, a beer or a burger in a 54 square metre paved setting which will feature a variety of natural stone, porcelain and terracotta products laid over Innvotech Solutions’ environmentally friendly TracLoc product, grouted with Innvogrout, a flexible pre-mix grout. Use of TracLoc will allow participating companies to rapidly remove their tiles at the conclusion of the show.

FFTSE will also include displays dedicated to Sanitary Ware, Disabled Compliant Fixtures & Fittings and Intelligent Tiles, which will feature suitable ceramic tile and natural stone products.

The Scape Bar will also feature back-lit onyx and glass mosaic.

Exhibitors at the inaugural Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo have seized the opportunity to snap up space at FFTSE 2009. More than one third of the available floor space at the second event, which will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, August 20 - 22, 2009, has been sold.

FFTSE will feature a variety of attractions including areas designated for tiled displays of sanitary ware, including a segment dedicated to Disabled Compliant Fixtures and Fittings. Paving and landscaping themes will be a key focus. There will also be a display of Intelligent Tiles featuring advanced materials produced by leading international manufacturers of tile.

Visitors to FFTSE will discover the very latest fashions in tile and stone, plus machinery and allied products used to process, cut, install, maintain, and clean these materials. Australia's only dedicated tile and stone expo will also showcase a challenging tiling competition, and a leading stone mason at work.

Education is an essential component of the organizers quest to inform specifiers about new products, standards and technologies. FFTSE will present formal training opportunities related to the specification of tile and stone and tiling systems which will be widely promoted by Avviso Public Relations agency to the architecture and design communities.

Australia's first dedicated tile and stone expo made a promising debut, by attracting a reasonable audience of qualified potential purchasers and specifiers of tile and stone.

With support from the Australian Tile Council and the Australian Stone Advisory Association, plans are already being formulated for 2009. Director Anthony Stock said, "Attendance at the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo compares very favourably with the inaugural Tile & Stone Show which was held in the United Kingdom in 2007. We are optimistic about the potential of the event and we are in the process of adding new elements. We obviously need to attract more specifiers but the overall quality of the event and related seminars bodes well for the future."

A low resolution audio/visual review of the event will appear on the web site in due course. Images of the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) feature soon. The Tile Today review featuring comments from a number of exhibitors will appear here on Monday, June 2.

The organisers wish to thank all exhibitors and visitors who participated in the inaugural event.

The Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo, April 17-19, Sydney Showground> will feature a variety of new glass materials including blocks, mosaics and tiles.

"Trend Q" by Trend Mosaics (centre) will feature prominently on the Belmondo Tiles stand A14.

Ezarri's recycled glass mosaics will shine on Renaissance Tiles stand G25. Ezarri's Iris Pearl collection of anti-slip glass is available in 4 attractive shades of colour (left).

Glass tiles and mosaics will be displayed by a number of companies including Artistic Stone, Decoramics, Everstone, Silkstone, Southern Cross Ceramics and Ocean & Merchant ( stand D2 ) which will launch the superb Enchanted series (right).

Pacific Surface Technologies will present a range of contemporary glass blocks

Look out for 600 x 600 mm recycled glass tiles, a huge variety of glass, ceramic and natural mosaics, including Everstone's fabulous new composite products which feature a variety of elements.

Andrew Mackenzie	Bostjan Vuga	Ian Moore	Stephen Varady

View a vast collection of new products released by leading European, Asian and Australian suppliers of tile and stone.

The Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo will take place at the Dome, Sydney Showground from Thursday, 17 April to Saturday, 19 April.

In conjunction with Architectural Review magazine the organisers will present a host of related seminars which will address the challenges of designing and constructing in tile and stone. Acknowledged industry authorities and leading architects including Bostjan Vuga of Sadar Vuga Arhitekti, Stephen Varady and Ian Moore will participate.

The line up for the seminars can be found at http://www.fullfrontal.com/seminars.php Attendance at the seminars is free.

Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo will also hold an Architects Reception on the expo floor on Thursday, 17 April at 5 p.m. where drinks will be provided. Bostjan Vuga and Architectural Review Editor-in-Chief Andrew Mackenzie will make short presentations at a 2 course Architects Luncheon on Friday 18 April. For more information visit http://www.fullfrontalexpo.com/events.php

Architects who attend any of the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo seminars may claim them as informal Continuing Professional Development.

A number of exhibitors' stands will display coloured Architects Angles which signify the presence of a product or technology of note. This time saving innovation will enable visiting architects to quickly find what they need, by referring to the Buyers Guide, or the on floor signage.

Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo is fortunate to have Gary Distelhorst, CEO of the Marble Institute of America, as one of its keynote speakers. Gary will chair a panel of industry authorities who will answer questions from the assembled press and members of industry who gather in the Southee Complex adjacent to the Dome on Thursday April 17 at 12.30 to enjoy a 2 course lunch, while they learn about local and international developments in the tile and stone industry.

MIA is the international trade association for the natural stone industry. MIA has as its mission to promote the use of natural stone and be the authoritative source of information on standards of workmanship and practice and the suitable application of stone products. Gary joined MIA in 2002 and has launched several new initiatives designed to expand the association's membership, influence, and image. Under his leadership, the MIA membership has grown by over 250% to 2,000 companies globally, and revenue has increased by nearly 400%.

In his address, "Helping an Industry Succeed", Gary will explain why and how he and his staff supported by volunteer leaders managed a major transformation of the association, pushed for and developed an industry accreditation program for fabricators, and positioned the association for future growth. It is a compelling story.

Joining Gary on a panel will be:

- Canadian keynote lecturer Patti Fasan, who focuses on improving technical expertise in the design and tile installation community through inspirational education and training. Patti is well versed in the challenges facing the growth of the US ceramic tile market. Immediately prior to the lunch she will present "Environmental Ceramic Tile - Sustainable Facts";

- Barry Bulmer, President of the Australian Tile Council (NSW) and chair of the Training Subsidy subcommittee's significant initiative;

- Gail Silman, NSW Education and Training Advisor, Australian Industry Group; and

- Richard Mackenzie, Director, Australian Stone Advisory Association

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Register to attend FFTSE Here. Follow the prompts to book seats at the FFTSE Press Luncheon. The cost is $45.

View the Press Lunch Menu

More about Patti Fasan

While the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) will showcase many new products released by major manufacturers and distributors of tile and stone, the show will also have a heavy emphasis on education in relation to new standards, technologies and installation techniques.

FFTSE will feature concurrent programmes of tile and stone, and architectural seminars which will feature 32 speakers, from eight countries including international keynote speaker architect Bostjan Vuga, the CEO of the Marble Institute of America Gary Distelhorst, and Patti Fasan an acclaimed authority on marketing. Patti regularly presents papers at Qualicer, the World Congress on Ceramic Tile Quality.

Acknowledged experts in the fields of tile and stone selection, adhesives, ventilated facade systems, access audit principles, slip resistance, surface treatment, sealing, waterproofing new tile and stone standards, industry development, intelligent tiles, efflorescence and sustainability will provide specifiers and members of industry with a comprehensive overview of industry.

Petar Johnson (Good Environmental Choice Australia) will present a paper on GECA's new Hard Surfacing Standard No. 40, Petar will be joined by Suzie Barnett (Green Building Council of Australia) and nine leading Australian architects including Paul Van Ratingen (Johnson Pilton Walker), Phillip Vivian (Bates Smart), Stephen Varady (Stephen Varady Architecture) and Ian Moore (Ian Moore Architects). The Architectural seminars will be co-presented with Architectural Review magazine. Architects who attend any of the FFTSE seminars may claim them as Continuing Professional Development.

In addition an on floor Installation Showcase will provide exhibitors with opportunities to present information on vital new products. Visitors can also attend presentations covering tricky issues like 'Optical Hazing of Polished Porcelain'.

Visit FFTSE to discover new products and vital information for those involved in the specification, sale, installation, or maintenance of tile or stone.

Register now on-line and book your seat at the FFTSE seminars which are filling fast, or call 1300 551 416.

In addition to the most comprehensive series of industry related seminars ever presented in Australia, the organizers of the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) will present an Installation Showcase located on the expo floor.

A variety of companies will make informative presentations related to new products and technologies including Ardex Australia, ASA/Bostik, Cinajus, Davco Construction Products, Global Safe Technologies, Innvotech Solutions, Laticrete, Mapei Australia and RLA Polymers.

In addition, Colin Cass will attempt to shed light on the tricky subject of optical hazing and polished porcelain tiles, which is of particular concern to a number of tile retailers. Colin will tackle this issue at 3 p.m. on Saturday, 19th April in the Installation Showcase located next to Stand O7.

FFTSE will feature displays from many leading international manufacturers of tile who are exhibiting directly or in conjunction with their local distributor, including ABK, APE, Ascot, Bode, Ceramiche D'Imola, Ceramiche Lea, Cerim, Charisma, Cotto D'Este, Edilcoughi, Ezarri, Fiordo, Floor Gres, Florim, Gardenia Orchidea, Ilva, Iris, Italgraniti, Keope, La Fabbrica, La Faenza, Panaria, Provenza, RAK, Rex, Romax, Saicis, and local majors Artistic Stone, Decoramics, Everstone, Eureka Tiles and Southern Cross Ceramics.

Significantly, all the materials on display, including classic collections of marble, granite, sandstone, bluestone, limestone, slate, travertine and quartzite presented by local suppliers or international majors like Poggi Bros and Abirochas (the Brazilian granite producers association) are available for specification or purchase in Australia.

On the adhesive front Ardex, ASA/Bostik, Davco, Laticrete, Mapei and RLA Polymers will present a number of new products.

Every kind of machinery for processing and cutting tile or stone will be displayed by B.A.T. Trims, Breton, CDK Stone, Diamant Boart, Germans Boada, Husqvarna, Montresor and Techni Waterjet.

Aqua Mix will demonstrate sealing and polishing techniques. Acoustic membranes, waterproofing, trims and tiling tools - every element associated with the successful installation of tile and stone will feature at FFTSE.

Look out for TracLoc ™ a thoroughly green dry lay tiling system which will feature prominently on many stands.

FFTSE will stage the most comprehensive series of tile and stone seminars ever presented in Australia. International guest speakers will include Patti Fasan, Ascer, Spain; Gary Distelhorst, CEO of the Marble Institute of America; Art Mintie, Laticrete International; Francesco Stronati, Mapei; Bill Walters, Ceram Research, UK; and architect Bostjan Vuda of international award winning architects Sadar Vuga.

The Architectural and Sustainability seminars will be presented in conjunction with Architectural Review, the independent journal of architecture. Additional speakers will include architects Ian Moore; Stephen Varady; Paul van Ratinjen; Petar Johnson, Good Environmental Choice Australia; and Suzie Guthridge, Green Building Council of Australia.

The seminars will be presented in two theatrettes located within the Dome. All presentations are free with the exception of Gary Distelhorst’s paper which will be delivered at a press lunch located in the adjacent Southee complex.

The Royal Australian Institute of Architects have determined that architects who attend Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) seminar sessions may claim them as informal continuing professional development.

If you wish to attend FFTSE register here. Once you have completed the simple registration process you will be able to access the seminar registration page.

Multi-award winning Australian architect Stephen Varady has designed a special tile and stone showcase which will feature at the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE). The exhibit covers a 120 square metre floor space, and a substantial area of wall tiling.

Stephen Varady admits that the FFTSE exhibit presented a very real challenge. "Two years ago, I was fortunate to win the Dalski Stone Award and I have designed other special exhibits of tile, but never on this grand scale."

Our exhibit features tiles produced by some of the world's leading manufacturers, including Italian majors Iris, Italgraniti and Cotto D'este and a blend of Australian natural stone products.

The floor tiling will be installed using Innvotech Solutions Tracloc product, an innovative dry lay tiling system, which has been Eco labelled by Good Environmental Choice Australia.

Click here to see the full animated version of the exhibit designed by Stephen Varady

Cerim, Floor Gres and Rex products will be exhibited at the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo under the Florim banner, in association with Di Lorenzo Pty Ltd. Florim has a presence in all major markets and is a global leader in the ceramics industry.

Florim join the growing ranks of Italian majors, which include Cotto D'Este, Iris, Graniti Fiandre, Gardenia Orchidea, La Fabbrica and Piemme who will participate independently at FFTSE or in conjunction with a local wholesaler or retailer.

Visit www.fullfrontalexpo.com/seminars.php to view our tile and stone seminar programme. The seminars are free with the exception of two papers.

The content of our concurrent Architectural Seminar programme co-hosted with Architectural Review the independent journal of architecture will be published on or before 15th January. Bookings for both programmes can be made from that date.

If you pre-register to attend FFTSE now, you will automatically receive an email on 15th January 2008 reminding you to book seating at our seminars.

Opportunities to exhibit at the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) are shrinking every day. Recent additions to the floor plan include Italian major Iris and Everstone.

Promotion of FFTSE is about to enter a new phase, as advertisements and editorials appear in major design and construct journals, including a 2-page feature in Architectural Review (AR) (PDF - 183 kb), the independent journal of architecture.

FFTSE will be promoted extensively in New South Wales on Radio Stations 2UE and 2GB. Promotion will include a 15-minute Q&A session on 2UE, with Colin Cass covering listeners' questions on tile and stone.

2UE will also broadcast a live 30-minute broadcast from the venue on Friday, 18th April 2008.

The finalised line-up for the architectural seminars will appear online at www.fullfrontalexpo.com/seminars.php on 15th January 2008. Bookings for both programmes, which are free (with the exception of two sessions), can be made online from that date. Naturally you first need to register to attend FFTSE. If you register before 15th January 2008, you will receive an email on that date prompting you to reserve seating at the seminars.

The tile and stone seminars will be held in the Dome Theatrette located in the foyer of the building; the architectural seminars will be held in the Somerville room, situated on the Mezzanine gallery overlooking the expo floor.

The prime objective of FFTSE is to present exciting displays of the very latest ceramic tiles released by manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers who have an established pathway to market.

Artistic stone will exhibit the acclaimed Versace Palace range by Gardenia Orchidea and the Valentino collection by Ceramiche Piemme.

Gardenia Orchidea and Piemme have joined a growing list of Italian tile manufacturers who will exhibit directly, or in conjunction with a local wholesaler. The list includes: ABK, Ascot, Ceramiche D'Imola, Ceramiche Lea, Cotto D'Este, Fiordo, Granitifiandre, Iris, Italgraniti, La Fabricca, La Faenza, Panaria, Provenza, and Saicis.

FFTSE will feature an extensive programme of tile & stone industry seminars, and a 2 day architectural/environmental seminar programme hosted in conjunction with Architectural Review, the independent journal of architecture.

A host of leading local and international speakers will participate.

In association with Tradevent, the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) has launched a radical registration process. Simply complete the registration form and nominate your preference to receive your registration by email or an SMS to your mobile.

If you receive your ticket via SMS bring your mobile phone/ticket to the show and hold your backlit mobile against one of the bCODE screens and your registration badge will print in a matter of seconds. If you receive a bCODE registration via email, simply print your email, bring it to FFTSE, hold it against the bCODE screen and your visitor badge will print swiftly.

View the latest FFTSE press release, sent to more than 700 media outlets.

We are pleased to announce that Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) is in the process of establishing a technical working group for the development of Hard Flooring Standard.

The proposed standards committee will involve members of the Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) and representatives of the Tile sector. Plus representatives appointed by GECA. Initial funding for the development of this important standard was donated by the Full Frontal Tile and Stone Expo (FFTSE). FFTSE, Australia’s first dedicated tile and stone expo, is focused on the development of sustainable tile and stone industries.

Please click here to read the Eco- labelling article published in Tile Today Issue no: 56

The Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) Commercial Tiling Awards will be displayed on large concept boards that will be placed on the mezzanine level of the Dome, which directly overlooks the expo floor at the Sydney Showgrounds. Each board will feature actual tile samples, images of the project and a textual description.

The entry that is deemed to be the best by our panel of judges formed by architects and members of the Australian Tile Council (ATC) and the Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA), will win the Premier award.

Category winners will each receive a special award. The FFTSE Premier Award-winning architect will win a trip to Italy to visit Cersaie in Bologna and Marmomacc in Verona, the world’s number one tile and stone shows respectively.
Click here to see more details.

Please visit the following link to view a range of accommodation, travel and car hire options provided by the Lido Group.

Note that the Novotel and Ibis hotels are located across the street from the Dome, Sydney Showground.

Visitors or exhibitors staying in town can catch a fast train from Central station. The train journey takes approximately 15 minutes. Sydney Olympic Park station is located directly opposite the entrance to the Dome.

Rydges Parramatta provide a shuttle bus that will journey to and from the venue three times per hour during specific time frames.

The road journey from the centre of town will take approximately 30 minutes. The best route is via Anzac Bridge, Victoria Road and City West Link Road, which skirts around the back of Lilyfield and Haberfield into Dobroyd Road this leads to the junction of Parramatta Road. Turn right into Parramatta Road, exit on to the M4 and take Exit 3 to the Showground. Go right into Homebush Bay Road, left into Australia Avenue. Abundant parking is available in P6 or P1.

Sydney Showground, the venue for the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE), Australia's first dedicated tile and stone show was admitted into the Meetings & Events Australia Hall of Fame, for being named Australia's top venue for catering for the third year running. In 2006, Sydney Showground served more than 650,000 people at more than 350 business events.

FFTSE will feature a variety of breakfasts and lunches, an exciting Gala dinner and an Architect's Reception. The majority of these exciting events will be held in the adjacent Southee complex. The Architect's Reception will be held on the floor of the Dome.

Exhibitors and visitors will have an opportunity to sample the venue's award winning cuisine at:
• An opening breakfast with guest speaker.
• A press club lunch featuring leading industry figures.
• An Architect's Reception on the expo floor.
• FFTSE and Architectural Review, the independent journal of architecture invite architects who attend FFTSE and the seminars, which will be held in the Dome, to enjoy a superb 2-course lunch.
• A fabulous Gala Awards dinner where the FFTSE Commercial Tiling, the Australian Stone Archithectural, Best New product, and Best stand awards winners will be announced. The award winning architect will attend Cersaie, Bologna and Marmomacc, Verona, the world's leading tile and stone expos.
• Tile fixers and suppliers of ancillary materials who participate in our FFTSE Tiling Competition, which will take place during the expo, can attend the Tiler's Buffet in external area 1822 where entrants can enjoy a beer and receive their awards.

All of these enticing events can be sponsored. Call Anthony Stock on + 61 3 9888 3459 about these intriguing opportunities. Can you afford not to be entrepreneurial?

The Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) has expanded and moved into the Dome, the architectural jewel in the crown of the Sydney Showground. The Dome, one of the largest clear space venues in Australia, measures 97 metres in diameter and 42 metres in height.

We elected to move from the adjacent halls 2 and 3 when the Dome became available. Our original floor plan was 4,800 square metres. The spacious Dome (7,200 square metres) is one of Australia's truly spectacular venues, for events on a grand scale. Click here to view a current floor plan

The Dome is located directly opposite Olympic Park railway station. Parking is easy with 10,000 car parking spaces

SPECIAL EXHIBITS

FFTSE will feature a number of special exhibits that display natural stone, glass mosaic and revolutionary 3 mm Kerlite porcelain in intriguing settings created in partnership with leading Australian architects.

There will be an installation showcase and a proprietary product demo area, plus a major 'breathing wall of tile' exhibit that demonstrates contemporary mechanical tile fixing techniques.

SEMINARS

FFTSE will be conducting a series of concurrent architectural, sustainability and tile and stone seminars located in two theatrettes within the Dome that each seat 150 people. The seminars on specification and sustainability will be co-hosted with Australia's leading independent journal of architecture Architectural Review. Future editions of Architectural Review will contain thousands of invites to FFTSE.

WHO WILL ATTEND?

The organisers envisage that a significant number of architects and interior designers will visit FFTSE where they will learn about the latest Australian standards relating to tile, stone, installation, slip resistance and waterproofing. Copies of the standards will be available at the seminars.

Support from leading industry journals Tile Today and Discovering Stone should ensure a strong attendance by industry.

A major promotional campaign in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Home on Sunday segment of the Sun Herald which has 1.5 million readers, supported by exposure on broadcaster 2UE will attract the public, who can attend during two designated 4-hour periods.

As part of the 'Ultimate Tiling Experience' visitors to FFTSE can collect coupons from exhibitors that they must hand in when they purchase tiles at participating retailers' stores, or at stores designated by wholesalers who exhibit at FFTSE. The coupons must be handed in by 5 p.m. on 18th May 2008.

Each exhibitor must determine if they attach a special offer or discount to this promotion. When retailers return the validated entry coupons to FFTSE we will draw the winning coupon. The winner will receive a fabulous 14-day holiday in Vietnam.

Architectural Review (AR), Australia's leading independent journal of architecture, will co-host and present a series of architectural seminars at FFTSE. The August and November '07 and February '08 editions of AR will feature articles on tile and stone and FFTSE. Invites to attend FFTSE will be inserted in each edition of AR reaching thousands of architects.

Anthony Stock said, 'Promotion of FFTSE in our industry publications Tile Today and Discovering Stone should ensure that manufacturers, importers, resellers and fixers of tile and stone attend. Extensive promotion of FFTSE on radio and in print media in New South Wales will entice members of the public to attend during two designated periods. Our association with AR and widespread promotion to builders and interior designers will promote our architectural and industry seminars, which will be key elements of the FFTSE, Australia’s first dedicated tile and stone expo.'

Approximately two-thirds of the floor space has been sold contact Anthony Stock for more information.

Less than two months after the launch of Australia's first dedicated tile and stone expo, the organisers are delighted to announce that they have released an additional 1,200 square metres of floor space to cope with demand.

FFTSE will feature a variety of special exhibits that partner architects with specific products. The FFTSE seminars will feature a variety of local and international speakers who will focus on standards, installation, maintenance and radical new products and technologies. The show will be held at the Sydney Showground, 17th-19th April 2008.

FFTSE will naturally promote tile and stone as contemporary 'green' materials, which boast favourable lifecycle analysis characteristics and highly valued sustainability.

The Australian Tile Council (ATC) and the Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) have announced their support for the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Exposition (FFTSE).

With additional support from leading international tile and stone associations, FFTSE will focus squarely on the merits of ceramic tile and natural stone as 'green' materials.

FFTSE is being organised by Anthony Stock the publisher of Tile Today, Discovering Stone and Creative Tiling magazines, in partnership with Richard Bowman of Intertile Research Pty Ltd who has chaired the Standards Australia Committee on fixing of ceramic, and natural and reconstituted stone for over 20 years.

Financial members of the ATC and ASAA will receive a 6% discount from the published floor space rate.