Marble Institute of America: Press Room

Contact: Nicole Buraglio
Hanley Wood Exhibitions
nburaglio@hanleywood.com
972.536.6336

For Immediate Release

StonExpo 2005 Offers Fun, New Networking Event!

(Dallas, Texas) Stone professionals attend StonExpo—THE industry event—to see new stone products, services and technology and get the solid, proven education they need to succeed. But they also come to the show to network with other stone professionals and have a little fun.

After two busy days of visiting with exhibitors and learning from industry experts, StonExpo attendees can relax and mingle with exhibitors, peers and industry legends at the StonExpo 2005 Welcome Reception. This FREE reception, which takes place on the show floor Friday, October 21 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., is an opportunity for stone professionals to enjoy some beer and snacks while networking and meeting new contacts.

"StonExpo is a great place to network," says Bill Eubank, Luckstone, Manakin, VA. "For those new to the business, there are a lot of established companies to meet. For the established companies, there are new customers to meet. StonExpo: It's where everyone's talking stone."

"At StonExpo, I get to see friends from the industry," says Tom McNall, Great Northern Stone, Ontario, Canada. "I get to network with the gurus of the industry. I get to meet new people and become friends with them over the years. StonExpo is the only show we go to."

Attendees will find beer/beverage and snack stations throughout the show floor. The following exhibitors will sponsor beer and beverage stations at their booths. Attendees should stop by these booths to enjoy complimentary beverages and to see the latest products and services offered by these companies:

Bottero Inc.
Calypso Waterjet Systems
Eurostone/Pyramid Supply
Hard Rock Tools
Komo Machine
Marble Institute of America
Park Industries
Regent Stone Products
Rock of Ages
Sommer & Maca
Stoneworld International
Water Treatment Technologies

"We know it's important for stone professionals attending StonExpo to take advantage of all the opportunities offered to find new ways to grow their businesses and be successful," says Michelle Troop, Senior Show Director, StonExpo. "But we also know that a big part of that is networking and meeting with their peers and the industry legends that can only be found at StonExpo. We wanted to offer a relaxed environment for everyone to socialize and get to know one another, and the Welcome Reception should do just that."

Thousands of fabricators, installers, quarriers, contractors, architects, designers, builders, distributors, kitchen and bath specialists and retailers will be at StonExpo 2005 to see more than 200 exhibiting companies showing stone products, machinery, accessories and much more. Through the unparalleled Conference Program and NEW Stone LIVE! demonstrations, stone professionals can get everything they need for business success in ONE place.

StonExpo 2005 will take place October 19-22, 2005 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. For details on attending StonExpo, call 866.550.6808 or 972.536.6440 or visit www.StonExpo.com. On the web site, you will find complete information on exhibiting companies, show activities, the conference program, registration, housing, MIA functions and everything you need to attend the industry's most anticipated event.

StonExpo's Official Sponsors are the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Natural Stone Alliance. The mission of the MIA is to promote the use of natural stone and be the world's most authoritative natural stone information resource. Membership in the association is worldwide and includes nearly 1,200 natural stone producers, exporters/importers, distributors/wholesalers, fabricators, finishers, installers, and industry suppliers—all committed to the highest standards of workmanship and ethics.

The Natural Stone Alliance includes the American Monument Association, Canadian Stone Association, Elberton Granite Association, National Building Granite Quarries Association and Northwest Granite Manufacturers Association, leaders in the stone industry representing the major associations who are committed to promotion and education to the industry and general public the value and benefits of natural stone.

StonExpo's Official Endorsers are Veronafiere/Marmomacc. Founded in 1898, Veronafiere organizes 30 to 35 exhibitions annually. Marmomacc, the world's largest and most prestigious exhibition in the natural stone industry, will be held September 29 - October 2, 2005 in Verona, Italy. For complete information, visit www.marmomacc.com.

About Hanley Wood
Hanley Wood, LLC, is the premier media company serving housing and construction. Through five operating divisions, the company produces award-winning magazines and Web sites, marquee trade shows and events, rich data and custom marketing solutions. The company also is North America's leading publisher of home plans. Hanley Wood Exhibitions (Dallas) conducts 15 trade shows, including World of Concrete, one of the top 20 trade show events in the country.

Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is a $225 million company owned by VS&A Communications Partners III, LP, the private-equity affiliate of media industry merchant bank Veronis Suhler Stevenson.

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