The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has announced that its third annual leadership workshop will be held Monday, April 28, 2008 - the day before the start of Coverings in Orlando, FL. The speakers and the content of the event have consistently attracted senior level executives and business owners. The timing of the session is intended to add value for professionals planning to travel to Orlando for Coverings.

Two leadership training experts will be appearing at the pre-Coverings event. R. Sam Bowers will kick off the event with “Marketing, Sales, and Pricing Strategies for the New Economy.” This is intended for companies that have questions about current sales, marketing and pricing models in a more competitive and buyer-driven world.

The afternoon session will feature Holly Green and her presentation, “Innovating Every Day.” This is an interactive and upbeat approach to incorporating innovation into a business and its activities. This presentation is intended to help attendees view the world in a multitude of ways so that innovation becomes an everyday activity; not just when brainstorming with a team.

This leadership workshop has received very positive reviews:

• “The lessons presented are critical for all business leaders.” - Brett Rugo, Rugo Stone, Lorton, VA

• “For the second year, this was the most valuable time I could spend out of the office.” - Kelly Milligan, VIC International, Knoxville, TN

• “The MIA Leadership Workshop was informative and a learning experience for me. I will apply some of these theories not only to my professional life but also in my personal life.” - Kathy Frank, Atlantic Granite & Marble, Rochester, NY

• “The topics and balance of the speakers was full of hard hitting real world ideas we can use to make our organization better.” - Brett Gowan, Stone Interiors East, Gaston, SC

This event is sponsored in part by: VIC International, OHM International, Daltile and Stone Restoration Services. For more information about registration, contact MIA by phone at 440-250-9222; E-mail: MIAinfo@marble-institute.com; Internet: http://www.marble-institute.com/education/orlando042808_leadership.cfm