Marble Institute of America: Education: Restoring Stone Countertops and Flooring: May 20-21, 2008, Knoxville, TN

(Seminar Hosted by VIC International)

Restoring Stone Countertops and Flooring
(classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations)

This seminar is ideal for any restoration business or installation company needing to make field repairs. Take advantage of learning more about repairing scratches, chipped edges, color enhancing, stain removal, and what equipment is necessary to do the job right. Learn more about taking advantage of the growing restoration business.

Day 1 provides classroom instruction about setting proper expectations with both residential and commercial clients; different equipment needs to accommodate flooring and countertop repair; and, many tips to be successful.

Day 2 offers demonstrations to complement what was covered in the classroom—crack repair, chip repair, seam polishing, and more. You'll learn how to operate the machinery and use the products needed to be successful. The seminar wraps up with an excellent Q&A session with the instructor.

Who Should Attend...

Attendees will receive 2 IICRC hard surface inspector category credits.

All Stone Professionals who field questions regarding the care and maintenance of natural stone; Companies adding restoration services to their existing business; Stone Fabricators/Installers using restoration to gain repeat customers; Companies new to natural stone fabrication and/or installation; Others hungry for education about natural stone; Janitorial firms-stone companies should let their clients who use janitorial firms know about this seminar

What You Will Learn...
How to know if you are using the right equipment for the job (and your firm); New restoration techniques; How to price competitively and make a profit in restoration; How to grow your customer base.

Seminar Agenda...

May 20, 2008 (Classroom & Equipment Review)
7:30am		Registration/Coffee
8:00am		Welcome / About the MIA / Class Objectives
8:15am		Understanding the Differences Between Maintenance, Restoration, & Renovation
8:45am		What Your Stone Business and Staff Need 1. Knowledge of Natural Stone: Differences between Marble, Granite, Travertine, Limestone, and Slate What to look for when on the job site
10:00am		Break
10:15am		What Your Stone Business and Staff Need (continued) 2. Equipment & Product Needed (Visual and hands-on review of equipment and products used on Day 2)
12noon		Lunch Break*
1:00pm		What Your Stone Business and Staff Need (continued) 3. Experience: hands-on, classroom training, literature available, where to go to get the advice you need 4. How to price a restoration contract: How the type of stone affects the price Planning for worse-case scenarios
2:30pm		Break
2:45pm		Restoration-Implementation & Making it Happen 1. What needs to be done? Establishing expectations on the jobsite. 2. Polishing techniques: What supplies & equipment are needed What prep work is needed-does it meet with customer expectations-how are these expectations different between residential & commercial jobs What to expect What is your final product? 3. Honing techniques: How is it different from Polishing? What supplies & equipment are needed What prep work is needed - does it meet with customer expectations - how are these expectations different between residential & commercial jobs What to expect and what is your final product?
4:15pm		Restoration - Implementation & Making it Happen (cont) 4. Grinding or Flattening Lippage techniques: What supplies & equipment are needed What prep work is needed - does it meet with customer expectations - how are these expectations different between residential & commercial jobs What to expect What is your final product?
4:45pm		Closing Remarks / Q&A
5:00pm		Networking Reception MIA Bookstore Open
* Facility Tour provided by VIC International
May 21, 2008 (Hands-on Demonstrations)
7:30am		Registration/Coffee
8:00am		Recap of Day 1/Class Objectives for Day 2 Succeeding with Your Restoration Business 1. Getting Paid: contracts, down payments, invoicing 2. Networking: professional image, supplier relationships 3. Professionalism: literature, consumer brochures, meeting customer expectations, safety, and company image
10:00am		Hands-on Activities Begin Travertine Fill Removal Marble Etch Removal Countertop Drink Rings
12noon		Lunch Break
1:00pm		Chip Repair Granite Scratch Removal Poultices
2:45pm		Break
3:00pm		Sealing
4:45pm		Closing Remarks / Q&A
5:00pm		Networking Reception MIA Bookstore Open

May 22, 2008 (Open House)
VIC International would like to invite you to an open house on May 22, 2008 following the Restoring Stone Countertops and Flooring seminar presented by the MIA. During this open house, you will be able to try out various products and equipment including the new ExtendedLife Maintenance System as well as fabrication equipment like the Quota Tech and Skema Logic CNC System. If you are interested in this optional openhouse, please contact LeeAnn Lacey, VIC International, at (800) 423-1634 directly for additional details.

Since 1978, VIC has built a reputation as a reliable company providing customer solutions based on extensive knowledge, innovative products and superior support. VIC offers solutions across the entire product range including material handling equipment, bowl-hole production centers, state of the art CNC machines and environmental systems for dust and water management. At VIC International, we are focused on quality; not only in the products we sell, but in our pre and post sales activities. Factory certified technicians provide an unrivaled level of support for our in-house demonstrations, CNC training & on-site installations.

About the Speakers...
Tom McNall

Mr. McNall is founder, owner and technical director/educator for all employees and customers of Great Northern Stone located in Southern Ontario, Canada. Great Northern Stone specializes in restoration of natural stone. Tom serves as a consultant to many global corporations, been an expert witness in court and has begun writing articles for several industry publications. He operates the largest independent stone restoration company in Canada and is a member of both the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and the Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC). Tom has taught seminars in both Canada and the USA for the MIA, TTMAC, as well as for private firms. Tom was also elected to the MIA Board of Directors in 2005.

Registration...
MIA Member:
1st Person - $369
Additional People - $184.50 (Savings of $184.50)

Non-Member:
1st Person - $469
Additional People - $234.50 (Savings of 234.50)

Host Hotel....
Holiday Inn Express
7520 Conner Road
Powell, TN 37849
(865) 938-3800 � Ask for the Marble Institute room block
map it

Refunds...
MIA reserves the right to amend the program should circumstances warrant such action. In the event of course cancellation, MIA will notify you within 7 business days to the program date, and will refund seminar fees. Liability for course cancellation is specifically limited to the amount of registration fees and excludes any incidential or consequential damages. If you plan to register on-site, please check MIA's website www.marble-institute.com (click on MIA Education) the date prior to the seminar for any updates on this event. Individual seminar cancellations must be made in writing. Registration fees are non-refundable for cancellations received less than 7 business days prior to the seminar. Substitutions are welcome.

Strategic Partners 2008:

Schechner Lifson Corporation

May 20-21, 2008 Knoxville, TN

May 20-21, 2008
Knoxville, TN