Marble Institute of America: Press Room

Marble Institute of America Announces Updated and Expanded Cornerstone Forums for 2003 StonExpo

Educational Programs to Feature New Topics for Stone Professionals and Added Focus for Architects and Designers

CLEVELAND, OH, August 19, 2003 — The Marble Institute of America (MIA), the leading international trade association of the natural stone industry, has announced several exciting updates and additions to the Cornerstone Forums educational programs to be held during StonExpo, the stone industry’s most important annual tradeshow and conference, December 4-6, 2003 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center.

This year’s program will offer 28 sessions covering a variety of topics for stone fabricators and installers as well as a half-day session for architects and design professionals. Topics focus on an array of subjects related to materials and specific applications. Highlights include:

Stone Tour of Atlanta — A pre-show, three-hour bus tour of some of Atlanta’s finest examples of natural stone in architecture and construction, including the Georgia State Capitol and the new Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank.
Fabricators Forums — Two separate sessions featuring lively discussions among stone professionals about practical aspects of residential construction and commercial fabrication and construction.
Countertops Part 1 and 2 — Expanded from last year’s event, these sessions explore one of the most active applications in the industry. Part 1 covers pre-fabrication issues including materials sourcing and selection, presales, pricing, sales, marketing, and templating. Part 2 is devoted to fabrication, transport, installation, and follow-up. To satisfy attendee demand, both parts will be offered on two separate days of the conference.
Put a Bit of Science in Your Business: Understanding the Elements of Stone — Back by popular demand, geologist Claude Rust will present his hands-on seminar. Participants will receive mineralogical kits with samples, a loop, and testing materials, and discover how to identify common minerals found in almost all stones.
Expanded Learning Unit Credits for Architects and Designers — Architects and designers seeking information about dimension stone and related topics can satisfy a major portion of their annual Learning Unit requirements at StonExpo. More than 15 Learning Unit credits will be attainable and all registered seminars will qualify for HSW credit.
Non-conflicting Conference Schedule — This year’s event will minimize time conflicts with the exhibit hall, ensuring that attendees have more time to view the trade show and interact with vendors.

A complete list of the seminars for the conference can be found on the web at www.stonexpo.com.

About the Marble Institute of America
Founded in 1944, the Marble Institute of America is the leading resource for information and education for the natural stone industry. MIA members include marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, and other natural stone producers and quarriers, fabricators, installers, distributors, and contractors. The association’s mission is to promote the use of natural stone and be the authoritative source of information on standards of workmanship and practice and suitable application of stone products. It publishes a monthly newsletter, markets a range of technical publications and consumer pamphlets on natural stone, sponsors business and technical meetings and seminars on industry-related topics, provides educational programming for architects and construction specification professionals, and conducts an annual Pinnacle Awards competition recognizing outstanding natural stone projects worldwide.

About the StonExpo Federation
StonExpo is the stone industry’s trade show produced by industry professionals for industry professionals. StonExpo is owned and produced by the StonExpo Federation, a nonprofit organization composed of representatives from industry associations, vendors, and publications. The mission of the Federation is to utilize the revenue generated by the show to sponsor initiatives and educational programs in support of the stone industry. For more information about StonExpo, contact StonExpo Federation, Inc., 70 North Market Street, Mount Sterling, OH 43143; phone: (740) 869-9990; fax: (740) 869-9991; e-mail: info@stonexpo.com.

For more information about the Cornerstone Forums, contact the Marble Institute of America, 28901 Clemens Rd, Suite 100, Cleveland, OH 44145; phone: (440) 250-9222; fax: (440) 250-9223; web site: www.marble-institute.com.