For the first time the Italian Trade Commission and Confindustria Ceramica, the trade association, will exhibit as part of the i Saloni Worldwide contingency at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF). This premier US trade show for modern design is one of the most important events in the industry. It will take place from May 16-19, 2009 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. Annually the show attracts more than 25,000 architects and interior designers, manufacturers and media from 31 countries and 50 states.

The Ceramic Tiles of Italy pavilion has been designed by the internationally acclaimed Italian architect Michele De Lucchi. Organized and promoted in collaboration with the Italian Association of Ceramics - Confindustria Ceramica, it will feature 13 leading Italian manufactures including: Caesar, Casalgrande Padana, Del Conca, Etruria Design, FAP, Impronta, Lea, Lord, Marazzi, Refin, Sant’Agostino, Settecento, Tagina. These manufactures are setting industry trends in formats, finishes and textures, technological advances in production and leading the industry in sustainable design and policies.

On Sunday May 17, De Lucchi and Paola Antonelli, design curator for the MoMA, will be in the spotlight at the ICFF Theater. The conversation, which is sure to touch upon De Lucchi’s iconic range of work, will be held from 2:00-3:00PM and followed by a reception in the Ceramic Tiles of Italy Pavilion. The next day, Monday May 18^th, Ceramic Tiles of Italy will host a book signing with popular and respected design journalist Jen Renzi. Her new book, entitled “The Art of Tile” is published by Clarkson Potter and was just released this April.

In addition to their presence at the show, Ceramic Tiles of Italy has organized a special satellite exhibition at 414 W14th St in the Meatpacking District as part of New York Design Week. Designed to tie into the week’s overall architectural theme, the exhibit will showcase the winners from the 2009 Ceramic Tiles of Italy Design Competition including the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, Cooper Carry, and Baldinger Architectural Studio as well as an inspiring selection of projects from previous award recipients such as Bernard Tschumi and Rene Gonzalez. In addition, Ceramic Tiles of Italy will bring its six tile-clad chairs, designed by Setsu & Shinobu Ito, Michela e Paolo Baldessari, Diego Grandi, Massimo Iosa Ghini, Michael P. Johnson and Paolo Ulian, to the space.

Ceramic Tiles of Italy’s participation at ICFF confirms the strategic importance of the United States market for Italian tiles industry and reinforces the strength of Italian tiles in the US market.

For more information on Italian Tiles in the US visit: www.italiantiles.com and www.italytile.com