Coverings Honors Leading Young Indusrry Talent, Event Champion
LAS VEGAS – Along with its annual tile and stone show, Coverings used the event to honor 22 individuals as part of its awards program, including this year’s Rock Star Award recipients and the 2026 Coverings Champions.
The Coverings Rock Stars is an emerging leaders program emphasizing Coverings’ mission to support the success and growth of the tile and stone industry by celebrating the best and brightest young leaders.
Among those honored following an extensive candidate review were two builder/remodelers, including Catherine Atkins of Thorntree Fine Porcelain & Natural Stone in Dallas; six contractor installers; three designers; one distributor; one manufacturer; two in marketing; two retailers, and; one stone fabricator, Noah Marques of Marques Countertops in Slidell, La.
The Coverings Champions is an awards program initiated last year that recognizes industry leaders for their outstanding contributions and advocacy for the Coverings show and the tile and stone community.
Coverings selected four nominees for the 2026 Coverings Champion, People’s Choice Award and held online voting for two weeks in February. From the four finalists, Jennifer Richinelli, editorial director of Stone World, was chosen as the People’s Choice recipient. Besides her professional responsibilities, Richinelli has served on the Coverings Installation & Design – or CID – Awards judging panel for more than 15 years.
The 2026 Rock Star Awards and Coverings Campions were presented during a ceremony March 30 as part of this year’s Coverings Show. For more information about this year’s winners, go to www.coverings.com/coverings-rock-stars.