Member News: Cosentino’s City Experience; Coverings Gets Ready; A Win for Nora and More

BUILDING A NEW CITY: Cosentino has opened a its second City experience, its next-generation showroom model, in Atlanta’s upscale Buckhead Village district. The Spanish-based architectural surfaces giant christened the $1.3 million, 3,824 square-foot showroom in October, following a successful launch in Chicago in September. The City concept is a hub where architects, design professionals and homeowners can explore materials, 3D visualizations and more. Atlanta is the sixth showroom location that the company has in the U.S. (the company also has showrooms in New York, San Francisco, Miami and Los Angeles) and it’s the 18th Cosentino City globally. Eduardo Cosentino, EVP of Global Sales and CEO of Cosentino North America, hosted local designers and special guests, including Silestone brand ambassador Cindy Crawford and celebrity chef and restaurateur Ford Fry.

NORA CAPTURES LIGHTFAIR INNOVATION HONOR: The M2 LED Downlight Series by Nora Lighting has won a LightFair 2021 Innovation Award in the category of Recessed Downlights, Wall Washers and Multiples, one of 14 category winners presented at LightFair 2021 at the Javits Center in New York. The M2 downlights come in a small aperture package ready to install, without the need for a housing. The luminaire is available in round or square apertures and delivers up to 850 lumens.

COVERINGS AWARDS NOMINATIONS OPEN: Coverings, the North American ceramic tile and natural stone industry event, has opened registration for its 2022 show, which runs April 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The organization has begun accepting submissions for the 2022 Coverings Installation and Design (CID) Awards and nominations for the 2022 Rock Star Awards, all of which will be accepted online through Dec. 17, 2021. Tile and stone professionals interested in attending Coverings 2022 can register at coverings.com, where they may also book rooms at official show hotels and learn about special promotions, new products and more.

NARI CEO IS OUT: David Pekel has left his post as CEO of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Pro Remodeler reports the announcement was made by NARI board chairman Doug King, and the board is searching for a new CEO. The departure comes during a challenging time for the association, as six of its chapters have separated from the national organization since the beginning of the year, with 10 others expressing their issues with the group. The chapters that separated formed new independent trade groups in their respective areas under the umbrella PRO: the Professional Remodeling Organization.

HIGH POINT TAPS NEW CHAIR, VICE CHAIR: Alex Shuford 3rd has been named chair of the board of directors for the High Point Market Authority. He is CEO of Rock House Farm Family of Brands and Century Furniture and has served on the HPMA board and executive committee since 2018, according to KBB. He’ll serve two years in this new role. He succeeds Dudley Moore Jr., president of Otto & Moore, who served as board chair for three years and now moves to the role of immediate past chair. Christi Barbour, founder of Barbour Spangle Design, assumes the role of vice chair after serving on the HPMA board and executive committee for three years and as chair of the board’s curated entertainment task force. The next High Point Market is slated for April 2-6 and registration opens in January.

BEKO TAPS CARRON AS GM OF BUILDER SALES: Beko Home Appliances has named Steve Carron General Manager of Builder Sales, to oversee and fortify the builder channel as part of the brand’s U.S. expansion. Beko is a subsidiary of Turkish-based Arçelik, a global manufacturer of appliances and white goods under 12 brand names. Carron will also lead the company’s Blomberg brand expansion in the U.S. Carron brings more than three decades of industry experience, including 26 years at Whirlpool, where he was most recently Regional Sales Director — Southwest. At Beko, he reports to the vice president of sales Peter Blackwell.

MILLER TO BRIZO; Lexi Miller has joined Brizo, a Delta Faucet Co. brand, as marketing manager. Miller previously worked in public relations for the White Good MarCom agency in Lancaster, Pa., whose clients include NBKA and KBIS. Prior to that, she worked for Savannah College of Art and Design, Camuto Group, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bottega Veneta.

BOURBON AND BOWTIES: The Palouse Chapter is hosting its end-of-year gala on Nov. 19 at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino, 100 North Hayford Road, Airway Heights, Wash. The black-tie event, Bourbon and Bowties will celebrate accomplishments and achievements of the past year. Tickets are $60 per person, with proceeds from a silent auction benefiting a local charity. The event is sponsored by Spokane Hardware Supply. For more info, contact the Palouse Chapter.

THREE CHEERS FROM PRAIRIE PROVINCES: Join the Prairie Provinces Chapter for three events — one for professional development on Nov. 25, and two member appreciation nights, on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. Learn about Exterior Cladding Materials at 9 am MST, Nov. 25, at Iron River Surfaces, 10934 119^th Street NW in Edmonton. Piergiorgio Mazzetta, CEO for LAMINAM Canada Ltd.and Laminam USA Inc., subsidiaries of Laminam S.p.A., will present the CEU-qualified session focused on large porcelain slabs. The chapter invites Calgary-area members on Dec. 2, and Edmonton-area members on Dec. 9, for special evenings of appreciation. The event in Calgary will be held at the Renovation Room, 115 58^th Avenue SW, and Edmonton’s evening will be held at Iron River Surfaces. Tickets are $30 for members, $40 for non-members and $20 for students. For more info on all events, visit the chapter website here.

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY ROCKS THE EIGHTIES: The Susquehanna Valley Chapter’s end-of-year party is an interactive murder mystery night with an Eighties theme, Dec. 3, 6 to 11 pm, at the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion, 219 South Front Street, Harrisburg, Pa., a National Historic Landmark. Guests are encouraged to don their favorite looks from the Go-Go Eighties, from big hair to a power tie to leg warmers. Costume prizes will be awarded for Best Dude, Best Dudette and Best Duo. Tickets are $75 per person, which includes a catered buffet, two beer/wine vouchers and the game. Register and purchase tickets here.