Marble Institute of America: Education

March 11: Houston, TX

Business Success for Fabricators — Don't Let Revenue Slip Away!

What makes fabrication companies successful? That is the entire focus of this event. By attending this event, you will gain the following insight:

Analyzing the cost of doing business. Learn more about how adjustments to your operating cost affect your ability to competitively price your product.
Benchmarks for financial performance. Learn how your company compares to other fabricators (note: you'll obtain executive summaries of both the 2007 and 2009 fabricator financial benchmarking surveys produced by the Profit Planning Group on behalf of the MIA). A great resource to review with your accountant and management team.
Discussion on diversifying your operations. Obtain tips to expand your current offering of products and services.
Equipment needs. Just look at the sponsor list — many of these companies will be attending the seminar. Spend time face-to-face time discussing your needs with them at this event.
Showcasing techniques and tips for templating, fabrication, and installation. You are bound to pick up a handful of ideas of other fabricators attending the event — well worth the price of admission.
Marketing your company. Join the discussion about how to position your company and your product with architects, designers, and homeowners. This will include how offering CEUs (continuing education units) to architects and designers is a win-win proposition for your company.
Value of being an MIA accredited natural stone fabricator. Learn first hand from the instructor and how becoming an accredited shop can impact your business.
Networking. The most important reason to join this industry event!

Instructors:

GK Naquin, Stone Interiors
Rodney Harvey, Curtain Wall Design and Consulting, Inc.
John Cogswell, CogswellStone
Todd Robertson, Vermont Quarries Corporation

Target Audience:

Business owners, fabrication supervisors/managers, marketing professionals, and other employees identified for succession planning within your company.

Welcome from the Houston Host Committee!

The following companies are serving on the Houston Host Committee. They extend to you their greetings, plan to be at this event, and, strongly encourage you to register for this industry event.

MCA Systems (Hosting the Event) / Architectural Tile & Stone / Arizona Tile Supply / Cangelosi Company / Delta Granite & Marble, Inc. / Designer Stone Center / International Stoneworks, Inc. / Schlitzberger Stone Designs, Inc. / Stone Store, Ltd. / Texas Tile Services

Handout — coming soon!

Agenda:

8:30am	Registration opens
9:00 am	Welcome / About the MIA & Stone World / Class Objectives
9:10am	Attendee introductions / expectations
9:30am	Understanding your fabrication costs / sales pricing
10:30am	Break / networking with sponsors
10:45am	Financial benchmarking (how does your fabrication company compare against your industry peers)
12:00pm	Lunch / tour / networking with sponsors
1:30pm	Diversifying your company's products and services NOTE: there will be a breakout session from 1:30 - 3:30pm for companies who would like to obtain more knowledge about using natural stone in commercial projects. This session will be led by industry veteran Rodney Harvey. All others will remain in the session with GK Naquin and John Cogswell.
2:30pm	Break / networking with sponsors
2:45pm	Marketing vs. branding your company/products
4pm	Networking / Q&A
4:30pm	Bonus Session — Marble Use in the Kitchen Attendees of the MIA/SW event are encouraged to stay for this bonus session. This 1 hour CEU class is being put on for members of the ASID Texas Gulf Coast Chapter. A great networking opportunity.
5:30pm	Networking / Q&A
6:00pm	Depart for home

Event Site:

MCA Systems Design Center, 7026 Old Katy Road, Suite 106, Houston, Texas 77024 — www.mcasystems.com.

Host Hotel:

SpringHill Suites Houston Brookhollow
2750 North Loop West 610
Houston, Texas 77092
Phone: 1-713-290-9242

**Ask for the "Marble Institute" or "Megan Knight" room block — rooms being held until February 25, 2010.

Registration Costs:

$99 (Register 3 people and the 3rd registration is free after two paid registrations of $99/each)

REGISTER

Registration Reminder:

Earn a $25 bookstore credit — Each attendee will receive a $25 credit for items from the MIA bookstore. Credit will be awarded onsite at the seminar.
Earn two free registrations — non-MIA member companies who join prior to or during the seminar will be able to send two employees to a seminar for Free (a $198 value). For more information about membership, go online to http://www.marble-institute.com/membership/join.cfm or call 440.250.9222 (ask for Jeff Handley).