Marble Institute of America: Press Room

Contact: Lisa Robidoux
Hanley Wood Exhibitions
lrobidoux@hanleywood.com
972.536.6411

For Immediate Release

Don't Miss StonExpo in November — The Biggest and Best Industry Event of the Year!

(Dallas, Texas) The industry has been anticipating StonExpo 2006 since last year's record-breaking event, and now it's almost here! More exhibitors are participating than ever before, and registrations are pouring in at record pace-setting it up to be the biggest and best stone event to date! Make plans today to be at StonExpo 2006!

StonExpo 2006, which takes place November 9-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is already breaking last year's records. The show floor, which is 20% bigger than StonExpo 2005, is already SOLD OUT! Attendee registration is also up-it's significantly ahead of this time last year. No other event compares to StonExpo and its solid, proven reputation. No other event can give stone professionals what they need to succeed. StonExpo 2006: It's the can't-miss event of the year!

More than 6,000 fabricators, installers, architects, designers, builders, distributors, retailers, quarriers, contractors and kitchen and bath specialists will be at StonExpo 2006 to see over 275 exhibiting companies introducing hundreds of new stone products. In addition, StonExpo provides the best education in the industry with its 2006 Conference Program and live stone installation demonstrations.

"There is no place else where the elite of stone business gather under one roof, at the same time in North America", says Tom McNall, Great Northern Stone, Ontario, Canada. "Not only is the selection of tools, equipment and supplies abundant, but the networking with the other attendees is unbelievable. There is always a buzz around StonExpo. The educational seminars are always packed and worth the investment. I attribute my success to continually attending this premier event."

StonExpo is the only Las Vegas show where attendees will see ALL the leading stone slab, machinery, tool and supply companies such as Park Industries, GranQuartz, Breton, AGM, Z. Bavelloni, Salem Stone, Walker Zanger, Verona Marble Company, East West Stone and HUNDREDS OF OTHERS! These exhibiting companies will have the latest in stone and stone-related products. From installation products and stone slabs to quarrying equipment and machinery, stone professionals will find everything they need to satisfy their customers at StonExpo 2006. For the most up-to-date exhibitor list and floor plan, visit www.StonExpo.com.

"StonExpo is a GREAT place to see your business grow...we find many new contacts! It's great to see so many 'like-minded' people in the same place at the same time!" says Michael A. Prokop, Texas Quarries.

Steve Lefebure with Monument Toolworks, Inc. remarks, "We rely heavily on booth traffic and StonExpo delivers."

"StonExpo is more of a community experience than a tradeshow. It's the great stone industry get-together. It's a place to acknowledge our history, celebrate the present and prepare for the future," says Jim Eckberg, Park Industries.

The StonExpo 2006 Conference Program continues to provide top-quality education that stone professionals need to improve their businesses. This year's program features 36 strategic sessions in five targeted tracks-Business Management, Design/Market Trends, Fabrication/Installation, Sales/Marketing and Care/Maintenance/Restoration.

At StonExpo, Continuing Education Units (CEUs) can help give stone professionals a competitive edge and advance their careers. Hanley Wood is a registered provider with AIA/CES, AIBD, ASID, NKBA, IIDA, IDEC, IDC and NAHB.

"StonExpo has outstanding education for those who are truly interested in increasing their knowledge," says Richard Booms, Booms Stone Co., Redford, MI. "The StonExpo Conference Program develops and cultivates new opportunities and provides unlimited networking resources."

"I went to StonExpo 2005 as an attendee interested in the quarry field and left exposed to not only ideal quarry equipment but also with a much broader insight into the fabrication field," says Floyd Anderson, Ed.D., Shamrock Mining Association, Salt Lake City, UT. "I'm coming back this year to StonExpo 2006 and bringing my associate with me."

Conference Packages are available and provide significant savings. MIA members also receive a special rate. Attendees who register for the Conference Program by October 20 get discounted pricing. Visit www.StonExpo.com for complete course descriptions, speaker bios, schedules and complete pricing details.

Along with its top-notch Conference Program, StonExpo 2006 offers live how-to demonstrations on the show floor at Stone LIVE! These one-hour sessions, which take place at scheduled times throughout the show, provide critical stone installation information to fabricators, installers, designers and architects. Whether it's time to learn new techniques or brush up on some basics, Stone LIVE! gives stone professionals the tools they need to provide quality installation for their customers. The demonstrations are FREE to all StonExpo attendees. Visit www.StonExpo.com for session descriptions, speakers and schedules.

After two busy days of visiting with exhibitors and learning from industry experts at the Conference Program and Stone LIVE!, it's time to relax and mingle at the Welcome Reception. This FREE reception, which takes place on the show floor Friday, November 10 from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm, is a great way to network with other stone professionals and industry legends and meet new contacts too.

During the Welcome Reception, attendees should visit the following sponsors' booths for complimentary beverages and snacks and to learn more about the exhibiting companies and the products they offer: Z. Bavelloni, Eurostone/Pyramid, Hard Rock Tool, Hiab, Inc., Matrix Stone Products, Regent Stone Products, Sommer & Maca, Water Treatment Technologies and Park Industries. For more details on the Welcome Reception, visit www.StonExpo.com.

The Marble Institute of America will once again host two exciting events at StonExpo: its Member Gala Reception and Awards Luncheon. The Gala takes place Thursday, November 9 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, and the Awards Luncheon takes place on Friday, November 10 from 12:15 pm to 2:00 pm. The Gala is open to MIA members only.

Make your plans today and get everything you need for business success at StonExpo 2006! Attendees can quickly and easily sign up for exhibits admission and conference courses by going to www.StonExpo.com and clicking on Attendee Registration. Those who register by October 20, 2006 get FREE! exhibits admission and discounted pricing on Conference packages.

StonExpo 2006 will take place November 9-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 275 exhibiting companies and over 6,000 stone professionals are expected to attend the event. For information on StonExpo 2006, call 866.550.6808 or 972.536.6440 or visit www.StonExpo.com.

StonExpo's Official Sponsors are the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Natural Stone Council. 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 1,500 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 Council is the leader in the stone industry that represents the major associations who are committed to promotion and education of the industry and general public of the value and benefits of natural stone. Additional sponsors include: American Monument Association, Canadian Stone Association, Elberton Granite Association, National Building Granite Quarries Association and Northwest Granite Manufacturers Association.

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 16 trade shows, including World of Concrete, one of the top 20 trade show events in the country.

Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is a $240 million company owned by affiliates of JPMorgan Partners, LLC. CCMP Capital Advisors manages the Hanley Wood investment for JPMorgan Partners.

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