Marble Institute of America: Press Room

MIA Education Series Concludes 2007 with December 6th Commercial Seminar

CLEVELAND, OH, October 9, 2007— The seminar, Using Natural Stone in Commercial Projects, will wrap up the Marble Institute of America's 2007 education seminar series December 6th in Chicago, IL. This seminar focuses on a number of topics critical to being successful in the commercial market. These include:

An update on the MIA accreditation program and how it is impacting the commercial stone market.
The opportunity to learn more about specification compliance and how to not be caught off guard.
The prospect of gaining practical tips about installing stone in commercial projects. Attendees will participate in a discussion about how to save money, impact safety, prepare bids, and more.

"This one day program is focused on the commercial installer," said Jim Hogan, Senior Vice President, Carrara Marble Co. of America, Inc. He continued, "We designed it as continuing education for the professional who clads multi-story buildings or installs stone in hotel lobbies. We will offer it again next year in Dallas, TX on December 4, 2008."

"This seminar promises to give professionals a chance to learn more about exterior stone cladding methods," added Rodney Harvey, Principal, Curtain Wall Design and Consulting, Inc. (CDC) in Dallas, TX. "We will cover stone handset to concrete shear walls, stone handset to metal studs, steel truss panel systems with mechanically anchored stone, steel truss with metal backpans, and stone adhered with silicone."

Another presenter will be Chuck Muehlbauer, MIA's Technical Director, adding that, "all the methods will be covered, including a review of several successful and unsuccessful stone installations. Using Natural Stone in Commercial Projects will certainly benefit commercial stone contractors, project managers, and owners. But residential stone contractors who want to expand their business model to include commercial projects should also attend."

The MIA member rate for attending is $229 ($199 for each additional person). Non-members can register for $329 ($299 for each additional person). This price includes morning coffee and refreshments, lunch, a reception following the seminar, speaker handouts/resources (a $100 value) and a $25 coupon for the MIA Bookstore. For more information or to register for the seminar, call MIA at 440-250-9222, e-mail MIAinfo@marble-institute.com or visit www.marble-institute.com.

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About the Marble Institute of America
For over 60 years the Marble Institute of America (MIA) has been the world's leading information resource and advocate for the natural dimension stone industry. MIA members include marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, and other natural stone producers and quarriers, fabricators, installers, distributors, and contractors around the world.