August 8, 2008

For Immediate Release

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

New Session Addresses The Attack On Granite

DALLAS, TEXAS –   In an effort to fight misleading allegations and to promote the safety of granite in building and construction, StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, together with the Marble Institute of America (MIA), announced it will present a session within the educational program at StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas addressing the on-going debate surrounding radon and granite.

“This is a unique and once-a-year opportunity for the natural stone industry to leverage the weight of an event like StonExpo to gain momentum and unity in our efforts to both refute these allegations and highlight the many attributes, including safety, of granite as the premier countertop material,” commented Gary Distelhorst, the executive vice president of MIA.  “StonExpo is the perfect place to present this message because it’s the one place each year where the stone industry arrives en masse, and it is where we can both educate the industry and ask for support in one place.”

The session will take place on the all-new StonExchange area on the show floor, and while registration is required, it is complimentary for all attendees and exhibitors. Titled “Granite and Radon – An Industry Update,” and led by members of the MIA, the session is scheduled for Thursday, October 16th from 4:15 pm - 4:45 pm. Participants will discuss the advances the stone industry is making with new scientific studies, the Truth About Granite (TAG) fund, and the MIA’s global involvement.

“StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas has its finger on the pulse of the stone industry,” commented Dana Teague, StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas Show Director. “As a hot topic within the industry, we felt obligated to evaluate our program content and make this change to better serve the needs of our attendees and exhibitors.”

Registration for attendees and exhibitors is available online at www.stonexpo.com  and interested participants are encouraged to sign up for this course early, as space is limited.

This session will supersede the previously scheduled session, “Get the Advantage with MIA Accreditation.” Stone World’s Fabricator of the Year Award, previously scheduled to be awarded at the conclusion of this session, has been relocated to the Stone World booth (#912) at 5pm. The MIA’s other StonExchange session, “Taking Full Advantage of the MIA” will remain as scheduled on Saturday, October 18th from 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas is owned and produced by Hanley Wood Exhibitions and will be held October 15-18, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marmomacc is owned and organized by Veronafiere, held annually in Verona, Italy. Its 43rd edition will be held October 2-5, 2008.

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 2008 official endorsers are Milanez & Milaneze/Vit?ria Stone Fair and AIA Las Vegas.

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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