Here is what others are saying about the #1 stone and alternative surfaces show in North America, as well as the latest from the stone industry!

© Marble Institute of America - March 4, 2010

CLEVELAND, OH -- Sparked by several recent slab handling accident deaths at stone facilities across the country, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) has launched a major new safety initiative that will examine every facet of slab handling and produce new video and other training materials for the industry.

"This initiative has the highest priority at MIA," said Gary Distelhorst, executive vice president of the association.

Deaths have been reported at both fabricator and distributor facilities in recent months in California, Oklahoma, Florida, New York and Ohio.  read more >>

© Marble Institute of America - February 3, 2010

Brett S. Rugo, founder and president of Rugo Stone, LLC of Lorton, Virginia, and grandson of an Italian stone carver, has been chosen as the new president of the Marble Institute of America.
A native of Barre, VT, Rugo had more than a decade of experience in various aspects of stone industry sales and project management when he started Rugo Stone in 1996. Rugo Stone has been widely recognized for its work, receiving over 45 regional, national and international craftsmanship awards. Rugo has served on the MIA board of directors for five years and will now serve as president for a one-year term.  read more >>

WASHINGTON – Actions by some Chinese manufacturers of diamond blades are possibly circumventing U.S. “antidumping” customs duties, according to information filed late last year by legal counsel for U.S. saw-blade producers.

The alleged evasions of import duties are related to a 2005 case brought before U.S. authorities on customs violations by several manufacturers/exporters from China and Korea.  read more >>

 

© Marble Institute of America 2009

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) is proud to provide CEUs (continuing education units) to members of the following organizations:

• American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
• Interior Designers of Canada (IDC)
• Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC)
• International Interior Design Association (IIDA)   read more >>

© Stone World Magazine- December 1, 2009

The 2009 edition of StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas took place from October 22 to 24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. And although expectations were not high due to a recessed economy, exhibitors were pleasantly surprised with the fair amount of activity that occurred on the show floor during the three-day event.   read more >>

© Stone World Magazine- December 1, 2009

Once again, the stone industry looked to the Marmomacc exhibition in Verona, Italy, and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas in Las Vegas, NV, for the latest introductions in stone products, stoneworking equipment and supplies and installation and maintenance products. The following is a look at some of the items that were on display at these two important trade shows (note: photos of several of these stone materials can be found at www.stoneworld.com).  read more >>

© Stone Business Magazine- October 26, 2009 

LAS VEGAS – There won’t be an official press briefing to announce it, but one important piece of news came out of last week’s StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas for the industry: Hell is officially over. 

That’s not an official declaration of good times; some difficult months remain, and the halcyon days (as the late Howard Cosell would proclaim) of a few years ago are long gone. But, as a whole, we’ve seen the worst.  read more >>

© Stone Business Magazine - September 20, 2009 

LAS VEGAS – This year’s StonExpo Marmomacc Americas’ education offerings allow you to play the limit while the show holds the line.

Offerings are expanded into two new educational tracks for 2009, while show producer Hanley Wood Exhibitions is keeping prices for all the sessions at last year’s levels.

With selected three-hour workshops offered all day on Oct. 21 and 75-minute seminars on Oct. 22-24, it’s a big field – all offered with the input and consultation of the Marble Institute of America (MIA).
As in past years, the program is designed around several educational tracks: the old favorites of Fabrication / Installation; Sales / Marketing; Building / Design; and Business Management; the return of Care / Maintenance / Restoration; and the addition of a new Concrete line of presentations.  read more >>

© Stone Business Magazine- September 16, 2009 
As I’m working through phone calls and emails these days, I’m getting one question a couple of times a day: See you at StonExpo in Las Vegas?

The answer is yes, and thanks for asking. And you?

As anyone who’s read my work through the years for Stone Business, I’m a believer in trade shows. I’ll argue about the location, or the time of year, or the length or whether there should be free coffee at the door, but I’ll make the case for having the events.

And, of course, you’ll find me there. For one thing, it’s part of my job. Given a choice of staying in the office or heading out for some convention hall somewhere in the world, I’d still opt for pinning on a badge and wandering the miles of carpeted aisles.

It’s no different with this year’s StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas (the rather long-winded but official handle) in Las Vegas on Oct. 21-24. The calendar’s marked and the room booked long ago, and my cat Denny has a reservation at a tony two-room suite at his veterinarian’s office.  Read more >>