More than 70 business, installation, technical and "hot topic" sessions representing the newest ideas on every challenge from sealing stone to avoiding problems with floor covering to effective time management skills will be offered over four days. Topics are designed specifically for floor covering and stone industry professionals wishing to increase their level of expertise in their field.
"Education is imperative to growing a profitable business in today's market," said Jennifer Hughes, Conference Manager. "Surfaces/StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas' industry leading educational program accommodates all levels of understanding from novice through expert. The sessions identify key issues facing the floor covering and stone industries with a focus on helping to improve production, performance and the bottom line."
Of the more than 70 sessions, 40 feature brand new topics covering every business segment. All sessions are less than two hours in length and do not conflict with exhibit hall hours. This schedule allows attendees ample time on the show floor to find new products, services, technologies and innovations. Among the new sessions offered in the 2013 program are: The Science of Sealing Stone, Performance and Sustainability: The Latest in Tile Industry Product Specifications, The Challenges of Installing Large Format Porcelain Tile and Stone, Keys to Effective Time Management – Surviving in a 24/7 World, Glass Tile: A Journey through Design Trends, Colors and Applications, Building Your Marketing Tool Kit, Avoiding Problems with Floor Covering: Getting the Right Product in the Right Place, Stone Fabrication - The Art of Setting Customer Expectations, and Social Media in Action: Retailers Share Best Practices.
All educational sessions require pre-registration. Online registration is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Floor covering and stone industry professionals can elevate their professional standing by earning an S² Masters Certification available in all eight program tracks. This certification includes a certificate, recognition on the show Web site and a ribbon for their 2014 badge signifying them as an expert in the field. More than 300 conference attendees from 2012 earned their S2 Masters Certification. In addition, the Surfaces/ StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas program offers courses that qualify for credits that are not offered anywhere else. Select sessions qualify for credit with AIA, AIBD, IDCEC (ASID, IDC, IIDA), IICRC, WFCA and CFI.
The following is a complete schedule of the Surfaces/StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2013 conference program:
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Social Media: How-To for Business
Instructors: Christine Whittemore, Simple Marketing Now; Sara Kelly, MKG Department
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Understanding and Ending Moisture-Related Flooring Problems
Instructor: Peter Craig, Concrete Constructives
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Understanding Operational Costs of a Stone Fabrication Facility
Instructors: Paul Menninger, Capitol Granite; Miles Crowe, Crowe Custom Countertops
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
What Architects and Designers Need to Know About Tile, Installations and Care and Maintenance
Instructors: Danny MacNair, Daltile & Stone; Dale Roberts, Custom Building Products; Rod Sigman, Custom Building Products
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Unleashing Your Potential!
Instructor: Warren Tyler, Motivations Plus
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
I’m Their Leader! Which Way Did They Go?
Instructor: Brian Gracon, PhD, Brian Gracon & Associates
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Proper Substrate Preparation for Hardwood, Bamboo & Laminate
Instructor: Jon Namba, Namba Services
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Specifying Stone for Designers
Instructors: Chuck Muehlbauer, Marble Institute of America; Timothy Taylor, Gensler and Panel
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Walking the Fine Line Between Maintenance and Restoration
Instructor: Tom McNall, Great Northern Stone
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Commercial Jobsite Stone Repair Forum
Instructors: Kevin Camarata, Camarata Masonry Systems; KenBownds, Curtain Wall Design & Consulting and Panel
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
From “Farm to Floor”: Wool Carpet Education for Designers
Instructor: Hallie Cobb, Wools of New Zealand
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Glass Tile: A Journey through Design Trends, Colors and Applications
Instructors: Dave Gobis, Ceramic Tile Consultant; Mikeal Jensen, Crossville
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
What You Need to Know About Concrete Countertops
Instructor: Jeffrey Girard, PE, The Concrete Countertop Institute
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
What You Really Need To Know About Stone Care & Restoration – Two Perspectives
Instructors: Rod Sigman, Custom Building Products; David Walton, All-American Stone & Tile Care
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Avoiding Problems with Floor Covering: Getting the Right Products in the Right Place
Instructor: Lew Migliore, LGM and Associates
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Residential Countertop Fabricators Forum
Instructors: Panelists: Marco Duran, Atlas Marble and Granite; Ron Hannah, Cadenza Granite & Marble; Joey Marcella, Mario & Son; Moderator: Michael Reis, Stone World/BNP Media
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Selection and Specification of Installation Materials for Ceramic Tile and Stone
Instructors: Dave Gobis, Ceramic Tile Consultant; Mike Micalizzi, Custom Building Products
Monday, January 28, 2013 – 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Social Media in Action: Retailers Share Best Practices
Instructors: Christine Whittemore, Simple Marketing Now; Rob Banks, BuildDirect; Cynthia Dean, Nufloors Coquitlam
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Design and Color Trends for 2013-2014 – Featuring Hard Surface Products
Instructor: Victoria Redshaw, Scarlet Opus Limited
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
The Geology of Dimensional Stone
Instructors: Chuck Muehlbauer, Marble Institute of America; Mike Anson, DuPont StoneTech Professional
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Installation Failures & Solutions: Carpet and Vinyl
Instructors: Jim Walker, International Certified Flooring Installers Association; Tim Provence, Armstrong World Industries
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Marketing After the Sale: Using Social Media and Sales Skills to Win More Repeat and Referral Business
Instructors: Brian Gracon, PhD, Brian Gracon & Associates; Paul Friederichsen, BrandBiz
The Science of Sealing Stone
Instructors: David Bonasera, ESP – Environmentally Safe Products and Procedures; George O’Regan, DuPont StoneTech Professional
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
The Selling Begins When the Customer Says No
Instructor: Sam Allman, Allman Consulting and Training
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Visual Merchandising 101: The Basics of Excellent Presentation
Instructor: Linda Cahan, Cahan & Company
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
What Everybody Needs to Know About Selling Stone
Instructor: Danny MacNair, Daltile & Stone
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
How to Introduce CEU Classes to Connect with the Design Community – Brought to you by the Marble Institute of America
Instructors: Sarah Kelly, MKG Department; Vincent Moiso, Quarry Collection
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Embracing Sustainability through Certification in the Natural Stone Life-Cycle – Brought to you by the Natural Stone Council
Instructor: Jack Geibig, PE, Ecoform
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Grade Your Shop’s Performance and Change Its Future
Instructors: Robert Bromley, Park Industries; Jeff Brekhus, Brekhus Tile & Stone
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Ins and Outs of Waterproofing and Crack Isolation Membranes
Instructors: Steve Taylor, Custom Building Products; David deBear, Custom Building Products
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Installation Is Not a Dirty Word! – How to Sell the Value of a Well Installed Floor
Instructor: Tom Jennings, WFCA
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Come Together: Managing Multiple Generations
Instructor: Chris Ramey, Affluent Insights/The Home Trust
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Stores That Floor: Marketing to the Coveted Female Customer
Instructor: Christine Whittemore, Simple Marketing Now
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Beauty is More Than Skin Deep: What Designers Need to Know About Maintaining and Refinishing Wood Floors – Brought to you by the National Wood Flooring Association
Instructor: John Lessick, Apex Wood Floors
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
*Design Luncheon – Brought to you by Quick-Step
Instructor: Erinn Valencich, Designer and HGTV Host
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Introducing iPad Apps for the Design Community – Brought to you by the Marble Institute of America
Instructor: Garen Distelhorst, Marble Institute of America
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
All Things Travertine
Instructors: Danny MacNair, Daltile & Stone; Rod Sigman, Custom Building Products
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
The Essentials of Stone Maintenance and Restoration Forum
Instructors: Panelists: Brian Cardone, Dimensional Stone and Tile Designs; David Bonasera, ESP – Environmentally Safe Products and Procedures; Fred Hueston, PhD, Stone Forensics; Moderator: Ted McFadden, Sureshine Care and Restoration Services
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
From 18 to 80: Understanding, Appreciating and Selling to People of All Generations
Instructor: Linda Cahan, Cahan & Company
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Grout: Your Choice Really Matters
Instructor: Mike Micalizzi, Custom Building Products
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Implementing Safety in Your Stone Warehouse and Fabrication Shop
Instructors: Jim Nikolopoulos, Walker & Zanger and Panel
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Marketing Transition: Integrating Online Marketing into Traditional Marketing
Instructors: Michael Vogel, Creating Your Space; Tyler Levi, Levi’s 4 Floors; Scott D. Perron, Big Bob’s of America
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Six Elements of a Powerful Showroom
Instructors: Chris Ramey, Affluent Insights/The Home Trust; Kim Bernard, Walker & Zanger
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Kitchen and Bath – Directions and Designs
Instructor: Mark Woodman, Mark Woodman Design & Color
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
What Is Fueling Your Customer to Buy? – The Latest Research on Consumer Buying Habits
Instructor: Lisbeth Calandrino, Improving Human Performance
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Best Practices Forum: A Discussion with Successful Flooring Retailers
Instructors: Jeff Macco, Macco’s Floor Covering Center; David Snedeker, Nebraska Furniture Mart and Panel
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Countertop Installers Forum: Solutions to the Most Common Problems
Instructors: Dustin Braudway, Bluewater Surfaces; Tony Malisani, Malisani, Inc.; Buddy Ontra, Ontra Stone Concepts
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Design and Color Trends for 2013-2014 – Featuring Soft Surface Products
Instructor: Victoria Redshaw, Scarlet Opus Limited
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
All of the Essentials to Start, Build and Maintain a Successful Stone Care and Restoration Business
Instructor: Tim Connelly, San Diego Stone Care
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Installation Failures & Solutions: Hardwood
Instructor: Scott Avery, Modern Tech Floors
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Seven Secrets to Running a Profitable Stone Shop
Instructor: Mark Lauzon, FOCUS 3D
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Understanding Thin Tile Installations
Instructor: Neil McMurdie, PhD, MAPEI
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
What Every Retailer Can Learn From Apple®
Instructor: James Dion, Dionco
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
The New Stone Documentary – Brought to you by the Marble Institute of America
Instructor: Gary Distelhorst, Marble Institute of American
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Building Performance Trends and Best Practices with Natural Stone
Instructor: Stephanie Vierra, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Vierra Design & Education Services
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Carpet Fibers: New Technologies and Advancements You Should Know to Keep You Out of Trouble
Instructor: Lew Migliore, LGM and Associates
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Optimizing Your Fabrication Shop
Instructor: Miles Crowe, Crowe Custom Countertops
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Challenges of Installing Large Format Porcelain Tile and Stone
Instructor: Michael Granatowski, MAPEI
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
New Method and New Requirements for Coefficient of Friction for Ceramic Tile – DCOF AcuTestSM
Instructor: Eric Astrachan, Tile Council of North America
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
*Designer Day Luncheon with John Gidding
Instructor: John Gidding, Designer and Host of HGTV’s “CURB APPEAL: THE BLOCK”
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Tech Tips: Dealing with Freeze/Thaw and Climate Change – Brought to you by the Marble Institute of America
Instructor: Chuck Muehlbauer, Marble Institute of American
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Surface Stories – International Trends
Instructor: Mark Woodman, Mark Woodman Design & Color
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Do You Really Want this Stone Restoration Job? – Recognize “Hidden” Problems Before it’s Too Late
Instructors: David Bonasera, ESP – Environmentally Safe Products and Procedures; Greg Mowat, Forensic Tile Consultants
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Installation Failures & Solutions: Tile
Instructor: Mike Micalizzi, Custom Building Products
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Installers: Employee vs. Subcontractor
Instructors: Jeff Macco, Macco’s Floor Covering Center; Tom Jennings, WFCA; Jeffrey W. King, Crowell & Moring
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Keys to Effective Time Management – Surviving in a 24/7 World
Instructor: Caren McCabe, McCabe Training & Consulting
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Stone Fabrication – The Art of Setting Customer Expectations
Instructors: John Kilfoyle, United Marble Fabricators; Miles Crowe, Crowe Custom Countertops
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Building Your Marketing Tool Kit
Instructor: Marty Gould, Focalize Consulting
Thursday, January 31, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Case Studies in Natural Stone Restoration and Maintenance
Instructors: Rawi Tabbah, International Stoneworks; Joseph Salvo, Miracle Sealants Company
Thursday, January 31, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Case Studies: Sustainable Design Projects with Natural Stone
Instructor: Rodney Harvey, Curtain Wall Design and Consulting
Thursday, January 31, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Adhering to Tomorrow’s Concrete Surfaces: Admixtures, Moisture and High Level Fly Ash
Instructors: Howard Kanara, CTL Group; Bruce Burton, Custom Building Products
Thursday, January 31, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Strategy Shift: Fast Forward
Instructor: Beverly Koehn, Beverly Koehn & Associates
Thursday, January 31, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Advanced Branding and Selling Skills for the Stone Fabricator
Instructors: Joey Marcella, Mario & Stone; Mark Lauzon, FOCUS 3D
Thursday, January 31, 2013 – 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Performance and Sustainability: The Latest in Tile Industry Product Specifications
Instructor: Bill Griese, Tile Council of North America