2006 Stone Industry Education Program at Coverings

Tuesday - April 4, 2006

What affect will natural stone have on the building green industry?
Speakers: Bill Eubank & Dan Ouellette, Luck Stone Corporation

Selling Natural Stone in Your Showroom
Speakers: Fred Jackson, Jackson Estudio, and Kevin Murphy, KJ Murphy & Company

Stone Repair Techniques - A Look to the Future
Speaker: Michael Reisinger, Invicon Chemical Solutions

Wednesday - April 5, 2006

Stone Trends 2006
Speaker: Vince Marazita, Marazita & Associates

8:00-8:50am

Shower Basics - What you don't know! - "A Water Management System"
Speaker: Don Halvorson, Forensic Tile Consultants

9:00-9:50am

Proper Stone-lined Shower Construction
Speakers: Chuck Muehlbauer, MIA Technical Director, and Don Halvorson, Forensic Tile Consultants

Diamonds in the Fabrication Process
Speakers: JC Collins, Diamant Boart, and Rich Booms, Boom Stone Company

4:30-5:20pm

Countertop Fabrication (Presented in Spanish)
Speakers: Jose Rodriguez, Total Design on Marble & Granite, and Rafael Bernal, Great Lakes Granite & Marble

Natural Stone Characteristics: Origin, Extraction, Installation Challenges, Protection, Maintenance and Restoration
Speakers: Joe Salvo, Miracle Sealants, and Tom McNall, Great Northern Stone

Thursday - April 6, 2006

Introduction to Stone Design
Speaker: Chuck Muehlbauer, MIA Technical Director

8:00-10:50am

Fabricators Forum: Residential Projects
Speakers: Rich Booms, Booms Stone Co., Scott Lardner, Rocky Mountain Stone Company, and Jose Rodriguez, Total Design on Marble & Granite Moderator: GK Naquin, Stone Interiors

4:30-5:20pm

Safety Initiatives in Your Shop & Insurance Do's & Don'ts
Speakers: Marc Rosenkrantz, Schechner Lifson Corporation, and Kevin Padden, Marble Institute of America

Managing Homeowners' Expectations
Speakers: Rafael Bernal, Great Lakes Granite & Marble, and Duane Naquin, Stone Interiors East

The Right Stone Application—A Geologist's View
Speaker: John McDowell, Ph.D., Rocky Mountain Stone Company

Friday - April 7, 2006

Expand your Fabrication Business Beyond Countertops - The Possibilities are Endless
Speaker: Mark Lindell, Park Industries Inc.

Making an Investment in a CNC and/or Waterjet Machine - What to know before you Buy
Speaker: Jim Callaghan, Marmo Machinery USA

9:00-9:50am OSHA/EPA Compliance Review - Dry vs. Wet Dust Collectors
Speaker: Mike White, VIC International

Natural Stone vs. Manmade Countertops
Speakers: Jessica Rose, Visions Magazine, G&L Marble Inc., and Duane Naquin, Stone Interiors East

Tuesday - April 4, 2006

What affect will natural stone have on the building green industry?
Building "green" is gaining momentum and becoming more widespread in the architectural and construction industries. Inevitably, building green, and its concern of the environmental impact in building residential, institutional, and commercial structures, will have an affect on the stone industry. Will the affect be a positive one or a negative one? It all depends on how the stone industry reacts to the issue In this session, we will discuss the concept of green building, how stone can be incorporated into green projects, and how to become better educated in the growing sustainable building industry.
Speakers: Bill Eubank & Dan Ouellette, Luck Stone Corporation

Selling Natural Stone in Your Showroom
Expand your ability to sell natural stone countertops, flooring, and other applications from your showroom. Learn the vocabulary, the finishes, the edges, the displays, and showroom basics that your retail and wholesale sales staff needs to know about natural stone. Today's approach to selling natural stone starts with your staff. Give them the resources to sell it with confidence.
Speaker: Fred Jackson, Jackson Estudio, and Kevin Murphy, KJ Murphy & Company

Stone Repair Techniques - A Look to the Future
Expand your knowledge of a variety of natural stone repair techniques available for natural stone countertops, flooring, and other applications. Learn more about NEW cutting edge repair techniques utilizing the power of light for the effective true-to-nature repair of stone surfaces in interior and exterior settings. Whether you utilize existing or new repair techniques, this seminar is a must attend.
Speaker: Michael Reisinger, Invicon Chemical Solutions

Wednesday - April 5, 2006

Stone Trends 2006
From countertops to skyscrapers, the use of natural stone is booming in the USA. Get an overall view of the market and market trends by attending this EIGHTH ANNUAL "State of the Industry" presentation on the dimensional stone market in the USA. This session will cover information, sourcing, marketing and application trends in the Stone Industry over the last year, including examples of award winning projects that have been recognized for their use of natural Stone.
Speaker: Vince Marazita, Marazita & Associates

8:00-8:50am

Shower Basics - What you don't know! - "A Water Management System"
Some statistics estimate that approximately 40 million showers constructed in the US leak because they were built incorrectly and may contain mold while other Experts estimate that over 95% of the showers are leaking. If you have built showers for 30 years and know everything, this seminar is for you. Learn the basics every tile or stone contractor needs to know so that your installations do not become part of this statistic This course will cover the basic characteristics of water, the shower environment, typical shower installations and review some design errors commonly found in residential construction. Designing a shower as "A Water Management System" is the first step prior to adding the beauty of natural stone.
NOTE: Participants are encouraged to attend the "Proper Stone-lined Shower Construction" seminar directly following this seminar.
Speaker: Don Halvorson, CTA, CTC, CMRS, CRMI, Forensic Tile Consultants

9:00-9:50am

Proper Stone-lined Shower Construction
Explore the proper construction of natural stone showers. This seminar will address stone mounting (adhesive & mechanical), waterproofing, mold & mildew. Learn best practice and how to avoid problems that arise with many shower installations.
Speaker: Chuck Muehlbauer, MIA Technical Director, and Don Halvorson, Forensic Tile Consultants

Diamonds in the Fabrication Process
We buy them, we use them, but how much do we know about diamond technology. Are we utilizing this product appropriately in our shop environments? Do you know what causes diamonds to work faster, cut cleaner, how to dress a blade properly, how to select the correct blade for your saw? Join this panel of experts and get scientific fact on new technologies in the development of applications for industrial diamonds in the stone industry.
Speakers: JC Collins, Diamant Boart, and Rich Booms, Boom Stone Company

4:30-5:20pm

Countertop Fabrication (Presented in Spanish)
To rod or not to Rod? How do you make a seam invisible? Does my shop really need to make the CNC leap? What is the best way to polish an ogee edge? Join some top industry experts to discuss these issues and more. This countertop fabrication seminar will cover fabrication methods, transport, installation techniques, maintenance procedures and follow-up.
Speakers: Jose Rodriguez, Total Design on Marble & Granite, and Rafael Bernal, Great Lakes Granite & Marble

Natural Stone Characteristics: Origin, Extraction, Installation Challenges, Protection, Maintenance and Restoration
This seminar will illustrate techniques, theories and products used for quarrying, processing, protecting, maintaining and restoring natural stone. This seminar will supply useful knowledge to both those new to stone products as well as seasoned stone professional. Information will be included on impregnators/penetrating sealers, recrystalization, polishing powders and pastes, diamond abrasives and more.
Speaker: Joe Salvo, Miracle Sealants, and Tom McNall, Great Northern Stone

Thursday - April 6, 2006

Introduction to Stone Design
This "STONE 101" course is especially designed for architects and members of the design community. Discussions will include: stone selection, engineering considerations, ASTM testing, aesthetic considerations, horizontal substrates, designing for wet areas, stair treads, and vertical cladding. As is customary, this seminar will also cover useful "Tips and Techniques" in stone sourcing and design.
Speaker: Chuck Muehlbauer, MIA Technical Director

8:00-10:50am

Fabricators Forum: Residential Projects
Ask the experts - this open forum is designed for fabricators to get answers to questions or problems they may have with regard to RESIDENTIAL fabrication and/or installation. It is a chance to discuss items that may not be covered by other seminars. A panel of MIA industry members will lead the discussion.
Speakers: Rich Booms, Booms Stone Co., Scott Lardner, Rocky Mountain Stone Company, and Jose Rodriguez, Total Design on Marble & Granite. Moderated by GK Naquin, Stone Interiors

4:30-5:20pm

Safety Initiatives in Your Shop & Insurance Do's & Don'ts
Employee and consumer safety is a full-time job. Take an inventory of the basic safety measures and resources available that can be incorporated into your safety program (including the new "Basics of OSHA Compliance" video). As a successful stone professional, you need to understand the pitfalls of property/casualty insurance and how to handle general liability, as well as what resources are available to help your company's safety program excel.
Speakers: Marc Rosenkrantz, Schechner Lifson Corporation, and Kevin Padden, Marble Institute of America

Managing Homeowners' Expectations
Having a satisfied homeowner means meeting their expectations before, during, and after the completion of a project. Today's consumers gather information from various sources prior to entering your business. This seminar will offer guidelines on how to better meet your customers' expectations right from the start to ensure their happiness and your success.
Speakers: Rafael Bernal, Great Lakes Granite & Marble, and Duane Naquin, Stone Interiors East

The Right Stone Application--A Geologist's View
Questions are raised daily by consumers regarding the right application for various types of stone What are the best applications for marble, slate, granite, limestone, etc? Is this stone or that stone appropriate for use in my bathroom or foyer or kitchen countertop or stair or fireplace surround? This program brings you the vast knowledge of someone who is both a geologist and a natural stone professional. Gain insight that will help you be better equipped to answer comsumer questions and impact your bottom line.
Speaker: John McDowell, Ph.D., Rocky Mountain Stone Company

Friday - April 7, 2006

Expand your Fabrication Business Beyond Countertops - The Possibilities are Endless
Consider diversifying your operations. Learn about the many diverse applications of stone as well as hot, new consumer trends in profiled, ornamental stone. There are virtually untapped markets within on industry markets that could reap huge returns for your business. Find out about these markets and how you can diversify your business. Diversification could be your key to increased prosperity in the stone marketplace. Take-Aways: 1) Review continued growth for the demand of stone, including industry statistics. 2) Looking beyond granite countertops and understanding the potential for other stone products. 3) How to position your business to take advantage of the booming popularity of natural stone.
Speaker: Mark Lindell, Park Industries Inc.

Making an Investment in a CNC and/or Waterjet Machine - What to know before you Buy
Buying machinery to improve your productivity is a major financial commitment. Before you make this commitment, make sure you are asking the right questions. Learn more about what you need to know before you buy. If you think you are ready to purchase a CNC and/or Waterjet Machine, then you'll want to attend this seminar.
Speaker: Jim Callaghan, Marmo Machinery USA

9:00-9:50am

Natural Stone vs. Manmade Countertops
Consumers and people within the trade have been bombarded in recent years with information about manmade materials and "engineered" stone. While both natural and synthetic materials have their proper applications, natural stone has in many ways been misrepresented by the companies that market manmade materials. In this session we will dispell the many myths associated with natural stone covering: natural stone's effect on the environment, bacteria and sanitary questions, sealing natural stone, stains and durability, variations within natural materials, cost, and how different natural stone finishes can effect wear and tear.
Speakers: Jessica Rose, Visions Magazine, G&L Marble Inc., and Duane Naquin, Stone Interiors East

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