I didn’t set out to work in tile.

After earning a degree in interior design, I took a summer job at a tile showroom. It was just a way to gain a little experience and pay the bills before starting what I thought would be my “real” career. But that temporary job quickly turned into something more, a path I hadn’t planned, but one I’ve never looked back on.

Within a few years, I moved into architectural sales. Eventually, I found myself managing and mentoring a team of professionals. And here I am, more than 30 years later, still in the hard surface industry, still challenged, and still completely energized by the work we do.

My path to TTMAC was just as unplanned. A colleague encouraged me to join a committee, just a volunteer role on the social side of things. But as I started meeting people, attending events, and seeing the depth of commitment behind the scenes, I realized this wasn’t just another industry group. This was a space where people came together to protect and promote a trade they truly cared about.

Over the past 12 years, I’ve held many roles within TTMAC. I’ve seen its evolution, from the launch of the Canadian Certified Tile Installer (CCTI) program, through five editions of the 093000 Tile Installation Manual, to the expansion of our online learning modules and revitalized financial sustainability. And I’ve witnessed firsthand what a group of passionate, committed volunteers can accomplish when they come together with a common purpose.

And here’s the remarkable thing, it is all volunteers. Every Board member, every committee chair, every initiative, powered by people who give their time for the good of the industry.

How do we make TTMAC not just relevant for today, but essential for tomorrow?

We’re at a pivotal moment in our industry. We are seeing rapid growth across Canada. New methods of construction are being introduced, materials are evolving and standards are changing. With all of it comes the challenge of maintaining consistency and integrity, especially as new installers arrive with different practices and training.

Add to this the reality that fewer young people are entering the trades, and those who do often don’t follow the same generational paths we once did.

We must do more than just keep up. We must lead.

We must standardize and elevate.

We must protect the integrity of our trade while inspiring the next generation to see a future in it.

If I were to ask a room full of people, “What is TTMAC?” “Why does it matter?” and “What value does it bring?” I’m not sure I would get a clear and consistent response. So this feels like the right place to start.

What is TTMAC?

Our mission is simple: to standardize techniques and specifications for terrazzo, tile, and stone installation and fabrication while serving as the industry’s trusted technical resource and driving innovation.

In plain terms, we help define quality, protect the integrity of the trade, and ensure that everyone from homeowner to architect can trust the result.

Because here's the truth: when quality slips and failures happen, the entire industry pays the price. A few bad installations can taint perceptions, erode trust, and drive architects, designers, and homeowners toward alternative finishes. And when the demand drops, everyone in our ecosystem, contractors, distributors, reps, manufacturers, and even the truck drivers delivering materials feel the ripple effect.

This is where TTMAC comes in.

We’re not just a technical body. We’re the industry’s advocate. We are the voice, the standards, the support, and the community making strides to keep this trade strong.

So when someone asks me, “What’s the value of being a TTMAC member?”

My answer is simple:

It’s about your livelihood.

It’s about the future of your trade.

It’s about ensuring we all have work tomorrow, not just today.

You enroll your kids in hockey, soccer, or dance, not because there’s a financial return or something in it for you, but because it’s the right thing to do. It’s good for them in so many ways. You are investing in their future. Being a TTMAC member is the same. It’s about being part of something that builds, not just your business, but the industry as a whole.

It’s about legacy. It’s about protecting something bigger than yourself.

But it’s also about real, tangible value, especially for our members:

• Branding and exposure through our directory, publications, social channels, and events
• Training and education with exclusive modules, technical seminars, and the Canadian Certified Tile Installer (CCTI) program
• Discounts on testing, inspection services, event registration, and more
• Community and credibility through a trusted national network of professionals who take the trade seriously

Whether you’re a solo contractor or a national supplier, being a member of TTMAC is an investment in your own business and in the future of this trade.

This isn’t just about you or me. It’s about every installer, architect, warehouse manager, supplier, specifier, and business owner across this great country whose livelihood is tied to the health of this industry.

The better we do as a collective, the more opportunity there is for us all.

So where are we going next?

We’ve got momentum, a great team and a strong lineup of exciting initiatives already underway:

• An enhanced membership benefits program
• A refreshed AGM format
• A more modern and user-friendly online experience
• New campaigns promoting our DCOF and Universal Floor Testing Services
• A brand new Sustainability Committee
• This very newsletter, designed to keep everyone better informed and more engaged
• Upcoming incentive programs to encourage fresh involvement and new voices

The future of this industry depends on all of us. It depends on our standards, our involvement, and our ability to tell the story of why hard surfaces matter, not just to us but to the next generation.

If you’re already a member, thank you.

If you’re not, now is the time.

And if you know someone who should be, share this letter and invite them in.

If I tell two friends, and they tell two friends, and they tell two friends, that’s how momentum builds. That’s how change happens.

This trade built me. I want it to build others.

Let’s keep moving forward, together.

Sincerely,

Sherri Wildman
President, Terrazzo Tile & Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC)

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