The Natural Stone Council's first major project to promote the use of natural stone was a 2,500-square-foot exhibit at the American Institute of Architects 2004 National Convention and Design Exposition at McCormick Place in Chicago, held from June 10 to 12, 2004. Constructed and staffed by contributors to the Council, the booth was organized into nine sections, each with its own theme.
Sections One and Three that faced the main aisle featured landscaping stones with granite curbing, Bluestone and sandstone patios and flower-filled triangular shaped drystack walls. Photographs of residential and commercial landscaping formed the background for the stone materials. Inside the booth, the focus was on the green movement in architecture and the value of natural stone.