CLEVELAND, OH - The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has announced the charter sponsors for its stone industry accreditation program. Schechner Lifson Corp., Terrazzo and Marble Supply Companies, Kohler, Stone World Magazine, Kitchen and Bath Design News and Architect Magazine have all agreed to sponsor the program and have committed support for anywhere between one and three years.

The MIA sought funding from a group of leading stone industry suppliers supportive of the accreditation mission. Supporting stone industry accreditation is a win-win proposition for all involved. Given that accredited companies must prove their financial stability, suppliers have a built in vested interest in promoting the program and urging their fabricator and contractor clients to seek accreditation. With the monetary support of the charter sponsors, MIA will expand its support and promotion of the MIA Accreditation Program and the MIA Accredited firms to consumers, architects and designers through editorial, promotion and advertising channels. “Having these key industry companies proactively supporting the accreditation program is a huge step,” said Scott Lardner, Chairman of the MIA Accreditation Commission. “Without their contributions, the exposure for the program would be significantly less. As it is, we are planning for between eight and 12 advertisements in 2009, reaching over 200,000 kitchen and bath dealers and architects.”

In return for their investment in the future of the stone industry, the MIA has designated all current sponsors as “Charter Sponsors” of the Accreditation Program. Charter sponsors will have their logo displayed on the accreditation pages of the MIA Web site, in the Accreditation Handbook, in all accreditation advertising and on all future correspondence, among many other perks. In addition, MIA is providing a handsome charter sponsor logo, including the accreditation seal and the words “Charter Sponsor” for use however the sponsors see fit.

The MIA will accept sponsors of the Accreditation Program indefinitely, and it will keep the “Charter Sponsor” opportunity open for a limited time. Please contact Garen Distelhorst at the MIA for information on accreditation sponsorship opportunities.