ARLINGTON, VA -- Coverings, the largest global tile and stone exhibition in North America, has opened its Call for Entries for the 2017 Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards. Available to architects, designers, installers and contractors, the CID Awards honor outstanding achievements in the design and installation of tile and stone in both residential and commercial environments.

New to this year's awards program: winners will be invited to discuss their project as part of the show's conference program. Projects will also be displayed on a video wall and on signage throughout the exhibition floor, showcasing the work to the thousands of attendees. Prize-winning project teams, including each installer and designer, will receive $2,500 and a one-night stay in Orlando, FL. 

"There is nothing quite like seeing how the mastery of design and installation can come together to create truly astounding applications of tile and stone -- the CID Awards put the spotlight on these projects and the talented teams behind each beautiful space," said Jennifer Hoff, president of Taffy Event Strategies, the event management company that produces Coverings. "Furthermore, the awards illustrate the enduring and infinite design styles achieved by today's tile and stone products."

An independent panel of judges will evaluate entries based on excellence in execution and installation, inspiring and original use of tile or stone and overall design and purpose of the project. Projects will be assessed on their levels of creativity, craftsmanship and outstanding use of materials. Emphasis will be placed on projects featuring an original or unusual use of materials, incorporating innovative technology, or combining aesthetics with function in an interesting way. Winning categories will include Residential and Commercial, and based on the submissions received, may extend to International, Artistic Use of Tile/Stone, Institutional, Community Project and more.

Projects must have been completed within the past two years (January 2015 to December 2016). Multiple entries are accepted and encouraged, and there is no fee to enter. Entrants should submit through Coverings' online portal before the deadline of January 6, 2017.

The CID Awards are sponsored by Tile Letter and Contemporary Stone & Tile Design.

Coverings 2017 is scheduled to take place from April 4 to 7 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. For more information, visit coverings.com or contact Taffy Events at (703) 539-5504.