StoneDimensions

MIA member firm Granquartz Canada hosted a MIA meeting of over 20 stone distributors to talk about safety initiatives for Canadian firms. MIA safety committee members Petar Kefar (Omni Surfaces) and Paolo Mantenuto (Marble & Marble) were also on hand to assist MIA Vice President Jim Hieb provide an overview of 2011 accomplishments, 2012 initiatives, and how to expand the vast array of MIA safety offerings into Canada.

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The MIA's Safety Committee (comprised of leading safety experts from 15 companies from the US and Canada) met at StonExpo to review recent accomplishments and set their 2012 priority list. The 2011 committee accomplishments included:

1. Distributed hundreds of Safe Slab Handling II videos.
2. Introduced two new Spanish training resources.
3. Established a monthly safety toolbox talk (meeting outlines) subscription service.
4. Prepared competency exams for employee safety testing.
5. Offered face-to-face training in three cities.

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Day 2 of StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2012 is complete and it was another eventful day for the MIA. Here are the highlights:

• Britishstoneworks of Lakewood, OH won the Grande Pinnacle Award during the annual MIA Awards Luncheon for its Spirit of the Ocean Fountain project outside of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Barbara, CA. Congratulations to Nick, Nathan and the rest of their dynamic team. Eddie Mendoza of All American Stone and Tile Care won the MIA Scholarship Award, Daniel Catania of Miller Druck won the MIA Natural Stone Craftsman of the Year award, and Ron Busse won the MIA Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement. In all, over 15 awards were handed out.
• MIA's Safety Committee met to review its 2011 accomplishments which included recognition from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for excellence in service to the industry.  The entire stone industry will benefit from four new programs that will be introduced in 2012 - stay tuned for details.
• The MIA CEU Committee (chaired by Josh Levinson of Artistic Tile) met with over 30 companies in attendance. Two new powerpoint presentations were introduced for use in 2012. The MIA and its outstanding member speakers gave over 140 CEU presentations in 2011 and have laid the groundwork to expand for many years to come.
• Michael Twiss of Columbia Stone became the 2012 MIA President at the MIA Annual Meeting. He received overwhelming support for his Member Get a Member Campaign.
• Outgoing MIA president G.K. Naquin completed his term with a spectacular President's Reception in his suite at the Mandalay Bay overlooking the strip. G.K. - thank you for your vision, new ideas, and years of service to the MIA!