October 30th, 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: Shelby Hausler 
Marketing Manager
StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 
Hanley Wood Exhibitions
shausler@hanleywood.com
972.536.6334

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas Issues ‘Call for Presentations’ for 2009 Conference Program

Dallas, TX -- A call for presentations has been issued for the StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2009 educational program, scheduled to take place October 21-24, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The program will provide in-depth, comprehensive three-hour workshops;  90-minute seminars; and forum discussions with the goal of generating discussion, garnering ideas, finding solutions and providing motivation to attendees to overcome the current challenging economic conditions. StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas is seeking presenters interested in facilitating these goals and growing the stone industry.

All proposals should fall under one of the following educational tracks: business management, building/design, fabrication/installation, or sales/marketing.  Industry speakers, subject matter experts and professional speakers are encouraged to submit proposals intended for all levels of experience. Sessions should be designed using interactive learning formats and focus on best practices and the latest industry-related topics affecting fabricators/installers, distributors/retailers, architects/engineers, designers and kitchen & bath dealers.  Presentations that promote products or services will not be included.

The deadline for submitting proposals is Monday, January 12, 2009.  The StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas Education Advisory Council will review all accepted proposals and base evaluations on overall quality, originality and timeliness of topic, past speaker and session ratings and/or professional experience, practical application of materials or ideas, and relevance of content to the stone industry. Final selections will be made in May 2009.

Proposals may be submitted online at www.stonexpo.com, via email by sending a 30-50 word description along with biography to cwilkins@hanleywood.com, or via mail to StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2009, P.O. Box 612128, Dallas, TX 75261-2128.

Speakers must be able to meet deadline requirements. No travel or hotel expenses will be paid to exhibitors, association members, consultants and press.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas is owned and produced by Hanley Wood Exhibitions and will be held October 21-24, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marmomacc is owned and organized by Veronafiere, held annually in Verona, Italy. Its 44th edition will be held September 30-October 3, 2009.

For more information on StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, please call 866.550.6808 or visit www.StonExpo.com.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas’ Official Sponsors are the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Natural Stone Council. The mission of the MIA is to promote the use of natural stone and be the world's most authoritative natural stone information resource. Membership in the association is worldwide and includes over 2,000 natural stone producers, exporters/importers, distributors/wholesalers, fabricators, finishers, installers, and industry suppliers—all committed to the highest standards of workmanship and ethics.

The Natural Stone Council, home of the Genuine Stone® brand, is the leader in the stone industry that represents the major associations who are committed to promotion and education of the industry and general public of the value and benefits of natural stone. Member associations include: Allied Stone Industries, Building Stone Institute, Elberton Granite Association, Indiana Limestone Institute, Marble Institute of America, National Building Granite Quarries Association, National Slate Association and Natural Stone Alliance.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2009 official endorsers are Marmomacc and the Allied Stone Industries.

About Veronafiere
Veronafiere (Verona Trade Fair Company) is Italy's most important direct organizer of trade shows and among the top organizers in Europe. Founded in 1898, Veronafiere now focuses on economic sectors of primary importance to the Italian economy, including stone (Marmomacc), construction (Samoter), and wine (Vinitaly).  Veronafiere conducts or hosts 37 trade shows a year in Verona and 11 abroad.  Annual turnover in 2007 was more than $110M.

Marmomacc is the global leader in natural and engineered stone materials and related technologies and design.  Samoter is one of Europe's major exhibitions of construction equipment and earth-moving machinery.  Vinitaly is the largest wine trade show in the world.  All three are owned and organized by Veronafiere.

About Hanley Wood
Hanley Wood, LLC, is the premier media company serving housing and construction. Through four operating divisions, the company produces award-winning magazines and Web sites, marquee trade shows and events, rich data and custom marketing solutions. The company also is North America’s leading publisher of home plans. Hanley Wood Exhibitions (Dallas) conducts 18 trade shows, including World of Concrete, one of the top 20 trade show events in the country.

Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is a $250 million company owned by affiliates of JPMorgan Partners, LLC. CCMP Capital Advisors manages the Hanley Wood investment for JPMorgan Partners.

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