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The Vitória Stone Fair took place in the stoneworking center of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, from February 10 to 13.
The Vitória Stone Fair took place in the stoneworking center of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, from February 10 to 13, and despite difficulties on the worldwide economic front, the show remains a key event for the international stone trade. After a somewhat slow opening day, traffic on the trade show floor picked up as the event moved along, and exhibitors reported that they had quality meetings during the fair.
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According to show organizers, Milanez & Milaneze, a total of 18,000 people visited the Vitoria Stone Fair, including 2,063 visitors from outside of Brazil.
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A total of 360 exhibitors were present at the 2009 Vitoria Stone Fair, including 304 Brazilian firms and 56 foreign companies.
Besides the exotic and classic stones, new technology also gained the attention of entrepreneurs - including large-scale machinery from Italy.
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Once again Antolini Luigi & C. carried a unique presence on the show floor, and the company opened a new state-of-the-art facility in Brazil last year.
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In addition to large-scale equipment, the show floor included technology for custom fabricators and architectural work. Among them, Netherlands-based Prodim demonstrated its Proliner digital templating system.
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Tenax do Brasil, the Brazilian subsidiary of Tenax S.p.A. of Italy, marked its 10th anniversary at this year’s event.
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The event attracts a broad cross section of mainstream media coverage, and it is also attended by several local and national dignitaries, including Paulo Hartung, Governor of Espírito Santo.
Examining the American Market
Given that the U.S. is by far the leading importer of Brazilian stone products, the seminar program at the Vitoria Stone Fair regularly addresses the regular market, and speakers have included panelists from the U.S. as well as leading Brazilian exporters and trade officials.This year, a detailed report was offered by representatives of the Marble Institute of America (MIA), who added to their appearances at Marmomacc in Verona, Italy, and StonExpo in Las Vegas, NV, over the past few months.
The presentation was made by MIA Executive Vice President Gary Distelhorst and Immediate Past President Jim Hogan of Carrara Marble Co. of America, and it addressed the current status of the North American market and how it related to Brazil.
Speaking on the “radon/granite scare,” the presentation recapped the negative publicity spearheaded by BuildClean and noted that while much of the sensationalism has died down, the issue will remain ongoing. It was also reported that Brazilian stoneworking companies donated $60,000 to the MIA’s “Truth About Granite” fund, which was established to directly combat the “radon scare.”
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As part of the event’s seminar program, Marble Institute of America Executive Vice President Gary Distelhorst and Immediate Past President Jim Hogan of Carrara Marble Co. of America addressed the current status of the North American market and how it related to Brazil.
On the commercial side, Hogan spoke about several specific markets in the U.S. He said that the San Francisco area was quiet, while the Los Angeles and Las Vegas markets are “mildly active.”
In addition to being organized by Milanez & Milaneze, the Vitória Stone Fair is promoted by the Cetemag and Sindirochas trade organizations, and it is supported by various entities of the Brazilian stone sector.
Vitória Stone Fair 2010 is expected to take place next February, once again at the Carapina Expo Center in Serra, Espírito Santo. “In 2010, we will intensify the promotion in markets that visited the event by working more intensively with the Brazilian Embassies in other countries,” stated Cecilia Milanez, Director of Milanez & Milaneze. “The objective is to [work] together with the entrepreneurs of the sector to create strategies to mobilize buyers from these markets, in addition to making adjustments to the fair [itself] so it can be even better.”
SIDEBAR:The Stones of the 2009 Vitória Stone Fair
As always, the stone producers that exhibit at the Vitória Stone Fair used the event to showcase their latest materials, including the traditional granites of Brazil in shades of gold, green and tan. It also included a broad range of exotics with unique colors and patterning, as well as new textures and finishes. The following is a look at just some of the stones on display in Brazil.![](/SW/Home/Images/0409SW_vit%C3%83%C2%B3ria_sidebar01.jpg)
Antolini Luigi & C.: Chocolate Brown
www.antolini.com
www.antolini.com
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Bramagran: Pictor
www.bramagran.com.br
www.bramagran.com.br
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Cajugram: Blue Canyon
www.cajugram.com
www.cajugram.com
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Cosentino: Giallo Latina
www.cosentinogroup.net
www.cosentinogroup.net
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Decolores: Bronzite
www.decolores.com.br
www.decolores.com.br
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Exotic Granite: Illusion Blue quartzite
www.exotic-vix.com.br
www.exotic-vix.com.br
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Exotic Granite: Tie Dye
www.exotic-vix.com.br
www.exotic-vix.com.br
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Fortuna: New Venetian Gold
www.fortunagranitos.com
www.fortunagranitos.com
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Gramic: Golden Fantasy
www.gramic.com.br
www.gramic.com.br
![](/SW/Home/Images/0409SW_vit%C3%83%C2%B3ria_sidebar010.jpg)
Gramil: Bordeaux Fashion
www.gramil.com.br
www.gramil.com.br
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Gramil: Excalubur
www.gramil.com.br
www.gramil.com.br
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Granasa: Turin Gold
www.granasa.com.br
www.granasa.com.br
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Granos: Arezzo
www.granos.com.br
www.granos.com.br
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Grein Brasil: Spyder soapstone
www.grein.com
www.grein.com
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Itaarte: Backlit onyx from Argentina
www.itaarte.com.br
www.itaarte.com.br
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Jacigua: Black Sea
www.jacigua.com.br
www.jacigua.com.br
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Magnitos: Cosmos Brushed
www.magnitos.com.br
www.magnitos.com.br
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Marbrasa: Gaya
www.marbrasa.com.br
www.marbrasa.com.br
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Marbrasa: Red Bahia
www.marbrasa.com.br
www.marbrasa.com.br
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Marmi Bruno Zanet: Nebulous
www.brunozanet.com
www.brunozanet.com
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Michelangelo: Grigio Michelangelo
www.michelangelo.marble.com
www.michelangelo.marble.com
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Michelangelo: Napoleon Bordeaux
www.michelangelo.marble.com
www.michelangelo.marble.com
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Parana Granitos: Imperial Coffee
www.paranagranitos.com.br
www.paranagranitos.com.br
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Parana Granitos: Sea Foam Green
www.paranagranitos.com.br
www.paranagranitos.com.br
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Pemagran: Ibere Mari Blue
www.pemagran.com.br
www.pemagran.com.br
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Santa Clara: Sparkling Blue
www.msclara.com.br
www.msclara.com.br
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Tec Tear: Talisman
www.tectear.com.br
www.tectear.com.br