“With more than 2,800 net square feet of exhibit space being contracted by 15 new companies thus far, we couldn’t be more encouraged at this show of industry support,” said Amie Gilmore, Show Manager of Surfaces | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2012. “This upward selling trend is proof positive that this industry’s economy is finally turning around.”

Among the new exhibitors are Natural Stone Resources, Ozgel, Eclipse Distribution, Matrix Machine Corp. and SAS of Luxemburg, Ltd. “We welcome these companies to StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and look forward to them showcasing their unique natural stone products, services and technologies,” Gilmore said. These companies add a diverse selection of product lines to existing exhibitors, including Breton S.p.A., CMS/Brembana, GranQuartz, Groves, Husqvarna Construction, Mitsubishi/MC Machinery, Ocean Charm, Park Industries, Samich and more.

The continued co-location of StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas with Surfaces allows for two levels of exhibits to go along with a multitude of show floor features and free on-floor education. Some of the most popular areas are the S² Main Stage, Trends Hub, Connections Pavilion, Stone Pavilion and Stone LIVE!, a series of “how-to” demonstrations on the show floor. The event is also reintroducing the New Product Marketplace (formerly known as the New Product Showcase).

New areas added to the 2012 show floor include “Tool Alley,” featuring exhibiting companies whose primary business is the supply of large and small floor covering tools. This area will also showcase hourly demos where attendees can see these products in action, and it will feature DIY Network’s Chris Grundy, host of “Cool Tools.”

Additional features will be “The Cage,” presented by the Stone Fabricators Alliance, which includes hands-on testing of the newest fabrication products; and Artisan Avenue, an area full of bold, specialty and handcrafted items — from tiles and sinks to cabinets, decorative concrete and window coverings.

Education

The StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas Educational Program will allow attendees to expand their knowledge. With eight targeted tracks, courses are available for every level and demographic of the stone industry.

Tracks include:

• Marketing

• Flooring Installation

• Building Design and Trends

• Business

• Sales

• Care/Maintenance/Restoration

• Stone Fabrication/Installation

• Sustainability (New for 2012)

Of the 75+ seminars, workshops and mini-sessions included in the comprehensive 2012 Conference Program, there will be 25 specifically designed for StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas attendees. Sessions are geared towards fabricators, installers, architects, builders, designers, restoration specialists, general contractors, distributors and kitchen & bath specialists, among others. They also offer valuable Continuing Education Credits through AIA, NKBA, AIBD, IICRC, and ASID. For a full listing of education sessions, visit www.StonExpo.com.

On January 24, Marmomacc will be presenting “Designing With Natural Stone: A Day of Continuing Education for Building Design Professionals.” This event is complimentary with exhibits admission, and it includes a full day of education specifically geared towards building design professionals, who will earn a total 4.5 AIA LUs (all HSW), including 1 SD and 0.4 IDCEC CEUs.

In addition to classroom sessions on performance evaluation and stone and sustainability, the program includes a visit to a large-scale stone fabrication plant in North Las Vegas and a guided walking tour of StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, followed by a reception and networking dinner.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas is owned and organized by Hanley Wood, and its Official Sponsors are the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Natural Stone Council. The event’s official endorsers are Marmomacc (Veronafiere), Allied Stone Industries and The Concrete Countertop Institute.

For more information on StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2012, visit www.StonExpo.com.