Press Releases
2022 Coverings Installation & Design Award Winners Announced

April 6, 2022 – ARLINGTON, Va. – Coverings (coverings.com), the preeminent event for the ceramic tile and natural stone industry in North America, has bestowed Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards for 15 tile and stone projects that showcase distinction in creativity, ingenuity and technical achievement. The 2022 award recipients were honored during an awards ceremony and reception, which took place April 5 in the Coverings Lounge at Coverings 2022. The winning projects are also on display in Central Hall, Booth C6613, at the Las Vegas Convention Center through April 8.
The annual CID Awards program provides an opportunity for designers, architects, builders, installers, and others in the tile and stone industry to demonstrate their creative design projects and superior installation craftsmanship.
This year’s award winners were recognized and celebrated for their outstanding accomplishments in the design and installation of tile and stone for residential and commercial projects. The awarded projects showcase highly distinctive tile and stone applications, involving tile and stone execution, original usage of materials, and overall design and purpose.
“Awarding the winning projects is one of the most exciting highlights at Coverings each year, and we are extremely proud of the winners as well as all of the designers and installers who entered the competition for 2022,” said Jennifer Hoff, president of Taffy Event Strategies, the show management company for Coverings. “All of the project submissions clearly illustrate the strong level of dedication and innovation within the tile and stone industry.”
Projects were judged by a panel of editors and industry leaders who evaluated the project submissions in terms of seven categorical designations. The categories included Commercial Tile Design, Residential Stone Design, Residential Tile Design, Commercial Stone Installation, Commercial Tile Installation, Residential Stone Installation, and Residential Tile Installation.
Projects receiving special recognition were awarded within four categorical destinations, including Artistic Use of Tile, Innovative Use of Tile, Artistic Installation, and International.
2022 CID Award Winners – Design and Installation:
Commercial Tile Design – Hospitality
Beachcombers Restaurant & Wet Whistle Poolside Bar
LHK design
Commercial Tile Design – Multi-Family
SOLAIA Condos
Doni Douglas and Skyline Development Group
Residential Stone Design – Large Budget
Onyx Oasis
SOURCE
Residential Stone Design – Small Budget
Simply Striped
SOURCE
Residential Tile Design – Whole Project
Casa Mancusi
Mancusi Design, LLC
Residential Tile Design – Bathroom
Retreat from Reality
Tbektu Design + Development, LLC
Commercial Stone Installation
Minneapolis Public Service Building
Grazzini Brothers & Company
Commercial Tile Installation
7900 Wisconsin Avenue
David Allen Company
Residential Stone Installation
Visually Stunning Villa
Cox Tile, Inc.
Residential Tile Installation
Copenhagen at Home
On The Level Flooring
2022 CID Award Winners – Special Recognition:
Special Recognition – Artistic Use of Tile
Natural Florida
Cherie Bosela of Luna Mosaic Arts
Special Recognition – Innovative Use of Tile
Steppenwolf Theater
Cooperativa Ceramica d’Imola North America
Special Recognition – Artistic Installation
Woodland Path
Cox Tile, Inc.
Special Recognition – International
Utopian Rationale: Blessing, Doubles
CARMINE ABATE ARCHITETTO
Special Recognition – International
PARATY Tapas Bar
Studio Muyelena
The CID Awards are sponsored by TileLetter, TILE Magazine and Contemporary Stone & Tile Design Magazine.
The CID Awards judging panel included Chris Abbate, Novità Communications; Bart Bettiga, NTCA; Scott Carothers, CTEF; Kristin Coleman, Novità Communications; Lori Dolnick, Frank Advertising; Kelly Doyle, Frank Advertising; James McClister, PRODUCTS magazine/Custom Builder magazine; Kathy Meyer, TCNA; Jennifer Quail, HOME+ by aspire; Jennifer Richinelli, BNP Media/Stone World; Nyle Wadford, Neuse Tile; James Woelfel, Artcraft Granite, Marble and Tile Co.
To learn more about the Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards and see the 2022 winning projects, please visit www.coverings.com/cid-awards.
For more information about Coverings, visit coverings.com.
Manufacturer
Clear Blue Water Tech, UAG Team Up on Affinity Pool

Syracuse, NY — 07/03/25 — James Melnicoff, President of Clear Blue Water Tech, is pleased to announce a new partnership with United Aqua Group (UAG), one of the most respected buying groups in the pool and spa industry. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, UAG has been transforming how pool and spa professionals purchase products and services since its founding in 1963.
“At United Aqua Group, we’re always looking for vendor partners who share our commitment to quality, innovation, and member success,” said Craig Goodson, President of United Aqua Group. “Clear Blue Water Tech brings a strong reputation and a robust line of products that will enhance the value we deliver to our members. We’re excited to welcome them to the UAG family.”
Through this partnership, Clear Blue Water Tech will offer its Affinity-branded line of pool and specialty chemical products to UAG members across the country. The product line includes liquid pool stabilizer, liquid clarifiers, pod clarifiers, liquid phosphate removers, phosphate remover tablets, flocculants, enzymes, solar treatments, spa products and more—all designed to deliver exceptional value, trusted quality, and fast shipping.
“We are honored to be selected as a vendor to such a well-established and forward-thinking organization,” said Melnicoff. “Our team is committed to providing UAG members with innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions for their pool and spa chemical needs.”
For more information about Clear Blue Water Tech or the Affinity product line, visit clearbluewatertech.com or contact us at [email protected].
To learn more about United Aqua Group and the benefits of membership, go to unitedaquagroup.com or email [email protected] for more information.
Pool News
Dr. Adam Katchmarchi Joins PHTA as VP of Educational Development

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, is pleased to announce that Dr. Adam Katchmarchi (Ph.D.) has joined the organization as Vice President of Educational Development. Dr. Katchmarchi begins his role effective July 1, 2025.
As Vice President of Educational Development, Dr. Katchmarchi will collaborate closely with PHTA staff, partners, and industry professionals to enhance and expand PHTA’s educational programming. His primary responsibilities will include developing innovative courses and trainings, elevating the quality and accessibility of educational content, and fostering strategic partnerships aimed at enriching industry-wide professional development. He will coordinate closely with Jeanne Mendelson, Vice President of Educational Operations & Sales, to lead PHTA educational programs and services.
“I am extremely honored and excited to join the incredible team at the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance in this role,” says Dr. Katchmarchi. “I look forward to leveraging my background in aquatics education and water safety advocacy to support PHTA’s mission. Together, we will deliver high-caliber, impactful educational opportunities that help our members thrive professionally and enhance industry standards.”
Dr. Katchmarchi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new position. Prior to joining PHTA, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), where he successfully implemented national initiatives focused on water safety awareness and drowning prevention. His leadership facilitated transformative partnerships across the public and private sectors, significantly advancing water safety education.
In addition to his executive experience, Dr. Katchmarchi was a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Allied and Public Health at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), a position he held from 2014 to 2025. An accomplished educator and researcher, Dr. Katchmarchi has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and frequently presents at both national and international conferences.
Dr. Katchmarchi earned his Ph.D. in Coaching and Teaching Studies from West Virginia University, with research specializing in water safety education. He also holds a Master of Science in Sport Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Slippery Rock University, both with focuses on aquatics and aquatic safety.
“Dr. Katchmarchi is an exceptional addition to our leadership team,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President & CEO of PHTA. “His distinguished career and dedication to aquatic safety, education, and advocacy make him ideally suited to elevate PHTA’s educational initiatives. We are excited about the impact he will have on our members and the industry as a whole.”
For more information, please contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s Director of Content and Communications, at [email protected] or 703-838-0083, ext. 121.
About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.
Manufacturer
CCEI Taps Martin Grenier to Head North American Operations

CCEI, is pleased to announce the hiring of Martin Grenier to head their North American operations. Martin has over 10 years of experience in the swimming pool industry having worked for Hayward for over 7 years plus other positions in both retail and distribution. CCEI is a manufacturer of automation and controller systems in the US as well as lighting systems in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Africa with its head office located in France.
Martin is now responsible for operations and sales for both the company’s US and Canadian markets and is also charged with raising brand and product awareness of CCEI’s products throughout the North American pool industry. “As an established supplier in Europe, we are focused on raising awareness of our products and services with pool builders, retailers and distributors, while also working to form strategic partnerships in the US and Canada,” says Grenier. A native of Canada, Martin is also fluent in English and French. “Martin has already made a significant impact in the Canadian swimming pool market and we are confident CCEI will continue to experience exponential growth in sales of our products in both the US and Canadian markets,” says Sébastian Chéreau, Head of CCEI’s Global Marketing. “We are pleased to have Martin join our team and share his expertise with our company as he helps align our marketing strategies and goals across all branches of CCEI around the world,” says Sébastien Chéreau, Marketing Director for CCEI.
Since 1973, CCEI has been designing and manufacturing electrical equipment for private and public pools. Over the years, we have acquired in-depth experience with pools and their specific constraints. Starting as a manufacturer specialized in electrical boxes, CCEI has expanded to different areas, including automatic water treatment and lighting for pools.
CCEI’s technical team has also grown and now has a team with recognized skills in electronics, optics and electrochemistry. With this knowledge, CCEI is now able to provide global, adapted solutions to pool builders and industries and enhance the safety, ergonomics and reliability of pool facilities.
Martin can be reached at the company’s offices in Montreal at: [email protected].
More information about the company’s US operations can be found at:
www.ccei-pool.com/us/
CCEI USA Inc., Inglewood, CA 90301
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