Marble Institute of America: Education

NKBA/KBIS 2009

Education for the Stone Industry and NKBA Members

The Marble Institute is proud to partner with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) in providing educational opportunities that benefit both industries. Two courses will be offered at the 2009 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS).

Countertop Sales: A Focus on Natural Stone

Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
(Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA)
Program Time: 8am-5pm
Room: TBA
Register: www.kbis.com

This seminar will cover all the key elements you need to know about genuine stone countertops including the geology of natural stone, selecting the right stone, care & maintenance, and few tips on working with natural stone distributors, fabricators, and installers. Natural stone is the hottest building product in the world today — bring your questions and we'll make sure you go back to your showroom with answers to help increase your sales!

Seminar Schedule:

8:00am Introductions / Expectations / Course Outline
8:30-10:00am Geology of Natural Stone / Selecting the Right Stone
10:15-noon Working with Natural Stone Fabricators & Distributors
Noon Lunch Provided
1:00pm-3:00pm Consumer Expectations: Care & Maintenance & Much More
3:15pm-5:00pm Q&A with Panel

Speakers:

Jack Seiders, Architectural Granite & Marble, Inc.
In 1992 Jack Seiders founded and serves as president of Architectural Granite & Marble, a supplier of natural stone slabs with facilities in Austin, San Antonio, Nashville, and Oklahoma City. He previously served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Cold Spring Granite Co. from 1988 to 1991. Prior to joining Cold Spring, Mr. Seiders was President and owner of Capitol Marble and Granite from 1978 until Capitol's sale to Cold Spring in 1988. Mr. Seiders holds a degree in Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Seiders is a past president of Marble Institute of America.

GK Naquin, Stone Interiors
GK Naquin was the 2005 recipient of the Stone World Magazine "Fabricator of the Year" Award and the 2004 Pinnacle Award for Special Use of Stone, GK Naquin has over 35 years of experience in the natural stone industry. He and his partners own Stone Interiors, LLC with facilities in Alabama, Louisiana, Tennesee and South Carolina. Stone Interiors employs over 100 employees and installs over 300,000 square feet of natural stone slabs annually. GK is a member of the MIA Board of Directors and serves as an independent consultant to fabrication facilities across the U.S. He also offers regional and national educational seminars in Advanced Residential Countertop Sales and Production.

Fred Jackson, Estudio Marketing Group
Fred Jackson, CTC, CSI, has 20+ years of tile and stone experience in the industry. He is currently the Sales and Training Manager for Jackson Estudio and is responsible for sales and product training. Past experience includes serving as the stone business development manager for Aqua Mix Inc., national sales manager for LATCO Ceramics, team leader for MS International, national distribution manager, Del Piso Brick and Tile, with 12 years of experience in natural stone, ceramic tile and hardwood installation and restoration. Fred is a CTC graduate and a member of CSI, MIA, NTCA, NWFA, WFCA, NTMA, and the CTIOA Technical Committee.

Truth About Granite & Radon

Date:	Friday, May 1, 2009 (Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA)
Program Time:	2:30pm-3:30pm
Room:	TBA

The challenge to the safety of granite countertops is the most aggressive attack the natural stone countertop industry has ever faced. How is it impacting kitchen & bath professionals? Learn about the important initiatives being undertaken to stop the misinformation campaign questioning the safety of granite. This address will also showcase the newest scientific information and how NKBA & stone professionals from around the world can use this information to calm customer concerns.

Speaker: TBD