While this is a decrease from the 46,102 attendees and 1,251 exhibitors in 2001, the show's organizers believe that given the circumstances, this year's exhibition proved to be successful. "Stone+tec 2003 has positively surprised us all," stated Walter Hufnagel, member of the management board of N?rnbergMesse. "The success of Stone+tec has, however, proved how important this forum is for the worldwide natural stone industry. The drops in the number of exhibitors and visitors reflect the market situation, but have not restricted the quality; on the contrary, it has improved."
The net display area of 473,611 square feet included a wide spectrum of natural stone products for both interior and exterior applications as well as the latest developments in maintenance, preservation and restoration products for natural stone. Additionally, demonstrations of both large-scale fabricating and quarrying equipment and hand-held machinery were given throughout each of the four days.