Next year's edition of the International Countertop Expo (ICE) will get a new time, a new place ... and the same city.

The Orem-based International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) announced an agreement with the Rio Hotel and Convention Center in Las Vegas late last week to host the second annual ICE on Oct. 20-22, 2011.



ICE 2011 will offer an exhibit hall offering new ideas for countertop fabricators; from the new colors and exotic patterns to the latest green materials. ICE will also feature on-site vanity fabrication, along with targeted seminars in the exhibit hall.

Also slated for the October 2011 gathering are the Innovations in Design competition, the Dream Sweeps Giveaway Drawing and special networking functions.

"People are looking for opportunities to get brought up to date on all that is new and different without spending a lot time and money researching products and services piecemeal, one-at-a-time," says Milroy, ICE 2011 show manager. "This show is all about saving time and money, but it is also all about inspiration, motivation and new ideas."

ICE 2011 will build on feedback from the 2010 event in February at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention center to shape the three-day educational program, with topics ranging from material /product knowledge seminars to business management, green fabrication and design/specification of decorative surfacing products.

"After the successful launch of ICE this year and all the excitement generated by attendees and exhibitors at the show, we are looking forward to an even better experience in 2011," says Milroy. "We heard comments from many attendees at ICE about the upbeat atmosphere and positive spirit of the Expo. We feel that is because of the more intimate atmosphere of a hotel environment and a heavy focus on the fabricator."

The October 2011 ICE will also take a short jog up Las Vegas' fabled Strip and remain in close proximity at the Rio.

"The Rio is a perfect fit for ICE," said ISFA President Evan Kruger. "The convention center is new and conveniently located to the hotel, and the rooms are all suites. It is also a very exhibitor-friendly environment. Best of all it creates a comfortable place for people in the industry to congregate."

In its second year since a successful launch at Mandalay Bay last February, ICE features everything that is new and wonderful about decorative surfaces and the people who produce and work with them. It's all about the countertop industry, and it's all under a single roof.