As usual, the AIA National Convention and Exposition enjoyed solid attendance, with more than 15,000 registrants. The event, which took place from May 9 to 11 in Charlotte, NC, featured 141 workshops and seminars as well as exhibitions from more than 580 companies. And underscoring the importance of stone and tile in today's architectural work, the expo again included the Stone and Tile Pavilion, sponsored by Stone World and Contemporary Stone & Tile Design.

Exhibitors at the pavilion included suppliers of a broad range of natural stone as well as installation products, restoration materials and stone backing systems. Additionally, trade associations such as the Marble Institute of America and the Italian Trade Commission/IMM Carrara were on hand. Both of these organizations offered architectural seminars relating to natural stone, for which architects could receive Continuing Education Learning Units (LUs). In addition to education by the trade associations, learning units could also be obtained at several other presentations by exhibitors in the Stone and Tile Pavilion.

Many of the architects touring the show floor had specific projects in mind when examining the new products, while others were looking to expand their product libraries. "I've been focusing on the type of work we do, specific things such as stone, pedestal systems, and concrete pavers," explained Harry Hunderman, FAIA, of ILCH in Northbrook, IL. "It's like walking through Sweet's Catalog. It's always good to see, feel, and touch things, rather than just looking at them in a book. It's always good to ask a quick question and get a specific answer about products that we worked with in the past or are thinking about working with in the future."