The Marble Institute of America (MIA) announced that
its annual Leadership Workshop will take place from October 18 to 19, 2010 in
Dallas, TX. “In just 10 hours, attendees will learn a year’s worth of proven
strategies and ideas from the stone industry’s leading experts,” MIA
stated.
The MIA Leadership Workshop offers at least 15 practical, proven ideas to
generate new business, improve efficiency and prepare for the future. It also
offers knowledge on critical topics to connect with members of the architecture
and design community.
“This gathering for senior-level stone industry executives is timely as stone
companies look to rebound and thrive in today’s economy,” said Gary
Distelhorst, Executive Vice President of the 1,700-member worldwide
organization. “This year’s topics are timely for any stone company leadership
team.”
The event will kick-off with an evening reception on October 18, hosted by
Walker Zanger.
Topics for the October 19 workshop include:
• Positioning Natural Stone as an Environmentally Preferred Building
Material
• Natural Stone and the Economic Recovery
• Perspectives Roundtable Discussion
• Leading the Design, Development and Launch of a Unique Style Minder Brand
in
the Highly Traditional Stone Industry
• Branding Your Business Locally: What works, what doesn’t and
why
The morning program will feature the following speakers:
• Stephanie Vierra, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, President of Vierra Design &
Education Services, LLC, will share a close look at how the industry is working
to prove that natural stone is sustainable, and therefore environmentally
preferred. Vierra will draw upon her own body of research and study and also
report on the current status of the industry’s work through the Natural Stone
Council on the development of standards and certification.
• Frank Anton, CEO of Hanley Wood LLC, will address natural stone and the
economic recovery. Hanley Wood is one of the country’s leading companies
serving the construction industry in a wide variety of media, including trade
and professional magazines, trade shows (including StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas
and AIA), economic and trend research, and the firm provides an excellent
vantage point from which to gauge the near future.
• Mark Fernandes, Chief Leadership Officer at Luck Stone, will share
perspectives about leading the design, development and launch of a unique
style-minded brand in the highly traditional stone industry. He will address
how to differentiate a company from others in the industry by seeking
inspiration from best in class brands from the art, fashion, retailing,
hospitality and design industries. Fernandes describes the journey and the process.
The luncheon program will feature an industry panel, which will recap the
highlights of the three morning sessions.
The afternoon session will focus on “Branding Your Business Locally: What
works, what doesn’t and why.” Marty Gould, President of Focalize Now, will
share that branding isn’t just for major national companies. “Every local
business has the chance to build itself into a trusted brand,” he said “But
there’s a lot more to branding than logos and slogans. Learn the secrets top
global and national companies use to build their brand identity and reputation
and how to adapt those ideas to your local market.”
“This workshop is a great venue to discuss strategic and visionary planning for
the stone industry,” said Brett Rugo, 2010 MIA President and Owner of Rugo
Stone.
The MIA Board of Directors, volunteer committee chairs and other industry
leaders will be attending this outstanding leadership event. The event will be
held at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, TX.
A full agenda and registration information can be found online at www.marble-institute.com/leadership.
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