Our Mission

The Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) was founded in 1978 by a group of independent ceramic tile distributors which had been members of the North American Floorcovering Distributors Association (NAFCD). The independent ceramic tile distributors realized while they had some common issues (mostly related to distribution and general business) with the floorcovering distributors, they were not growing the market for ceramic tile by participating with distributors who were more interested in selling other floorcovering products.

As a result, a handful of independent tile distributors led by Fred Blackwood of Beaver Tile Distributors, founded the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association.

The organization was to be by and for independent ceramic tile distributors who primarily sold at wholesale, inventoried ceramic tile and related products and did not install tile. 

Quickly the handful of distributors involved in the founding of CTDA grew to 50 independent distributors and their suppliers (mostly domestic).

To help promote tile and the industry, almost immediately, CTDA created a small conference and tradeshow called TileExpo. In 1981, CTDA partnered with the organization that eventually became the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), at the time called the American Tile Terrazzo and Marble Contractors Association, to bring contractors to TileExpo.

CTDA and NTCA successfully held TileExpo annually until the late 1980s.

During the mid to late 1980s, the import market for ceramic tile grew substantially. CTDA distributors were (and still are) the best model for importers to promote and sell their products in the US. The total market for ceramic tile grew substantially as did the number of independent distributors and the number of CTDA members. 

In the mid 1980s, the Italian and Spanish manufacturer associations, in an effort to promote their products, created a US tradeshow called the World Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings (World Expo).

For a few years, TileExpo and World Expo competed with each other in the marketplace. TileExpo primarily represented the domestic tile manufacturers and World Expo primarily represented the Italian and Spanish manufacturers. Eventually, primarily because independent distributors represented both domestic and international manufacturers and wanted to have one show, the shows were combined to form the International Tile and Stone Exhibition (ITSE). ITSE eventually became what is known today as Coverings.

From the early days of founding under the leadership of Fred Blackwood to the first female president of CTDA in 1994, Mary Yocum, through the first second generation president of CTDA, Jim Vogel (son of Jack), CTDA has been led by people who wanted to grow the market for ceramic tile through independent distribution.

Still today, even with the ever changing environment for selling tile in the US, CTDA represents independent distribution with pride.

CTDA created a Hall of Fame to recognize those people who had significantly contributed to the industry and the association. Hall of Fame members are listed below: 

Heidi Martin, Frank Donahue, Mark Shannon, Jim Vogel, Rick Church, Tom Carr, Harold Yarborough, Doug Hayes, Rick Baldini, Dave Milanowycz, Tom Kotel, Ed Metcalf, Ralph Marra, Henry M. Rothberg, Fred Blackwood, Clarence Dowdy, Jack Vogel, Mike Miles, Manuel Magallanes, Svend Hovmand, Phil Stalcup, David Yarborough, Ted Clear, Jack Knies, Frank L. Garcia, Mary Yocum, Sam Widener, S. M. Van Kirk, Gail Schovan, Bill Ives, Tom Graham, Vince Pompo, Mark Carlson and Howard Pryor.