Hanley Wood Exhibitions has launched StonExpo East, which is slated for March 23 to 25, 2007 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The East Coast version of the exhibition will take place in addition to the annual StonExpo event in Las Vegas.

The introduction of StonExpo East, which will take place biannually starting in 2007, is intended to satisfy the needs of both manufacturers and stone professionals across the country. “When Hanley Wood purchased StonExpo, the industry feedback was that there was the need for a stone show in the Western U.S. and one in the East,” said Michelle Troop, Senior Show Director, StonExpo. “Now that StonExpo has solidified itself as the [major] stone show in the West, we are prepared to fill the void in the East.”

“The Marble Institute is excited about the introduction of StonExpo East, and we will strongly support it,” said Gary Distelhorst, Executive Vice President of the Marble Institute of America, StonExpo's Official Sponsor. “This venue in the Eastern U.S. will allow East Coast-based members and prospective members to more affordably participate in the industry's finest stone show, take advantage of the industry's most comprehensive educational offerings and network with the industry's most successful professionals.

“The MIA will be very active at StonExpo East by holding a Board of Directors meeting, hosting a reception for members and briefing the industry on the activities and plans of the association,” Distelhorst continued. “We believe this is another solid, progressive move to strengthen, solidify and improve the natural stone industry.”

More than 200 exhibiting companies will participate in StonExpo East 2007, showing the latest stone products, machinery and technologies to 5,000-plus fabricators, installers, architects, designers, distributors, builders, retailers and kitchen & bath specialists. Additionally, the event will include a comprehensive conference program led by industry experts and live, how-to stone installation demonstrations on the show floor.

For more information on exhibiting at or attending StonExpo East 2007, call 866-550-6808.