As fall approaches, another trade show season is set to begin. A week from now, I will be in Verona, Italy, touring the expansive exhibit halls at Marmomacc -- the world's largest stone exhibition. In addition to machinery, tools and accessories, and stone maintenance and installation products, the show will also include a large display of stones from around the world.

Marmomacc -- like other exhibitions -- will provide a gathering place for industry members to conduct business and network. It will also present an opportunity for companies to introduce their latest products to the market. As in years past, I know numerous exotics and other types of stones will be prominently showcased throughout the exhibition floor at Marmomacc. I will learn about new sizes, finishes and even manufacturing processes.

At the same time I am in Verona, our Associate Editor will be traveling to Bologna, Italy, to visit Cersaie -- one of the largest international tile exhibitions that is held annually. The show will include a broad selection of tile collections. There will be tiles made of glass, porcelain and ceramic. It is amazing to witness the various styles that line the exhibition halls. Tiles are made to look like stone, wood and even fabric. Each year, technology is further advanced and the authenticity of these products continues to improve and textures become more defined.

Of course, there are also many other trade exhibitions that are held throughout the year. Each one is a great source of information and a way to stay abreast of new developments. As Editor of the Stone & Tile Design Insider as well as its print edition, Contemporary Stone & Tile Design, I am always in search of new products to share with our readers. In each edition of both publications, we reserve a certain  amount of space for a product review. This is one way that we can serve as a tool to the architecture and design communities. By presenting new products, we hope that we spark inspiration and fresh design. In the next edition, I look forward to sharing some of the new stone and tile collections that our staff sees in Italy next week.