A month ago, I reported on the tremendously positive feedback I received on StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas -- which, in my view, was the most successful stone industry trade event in years. Since then, my work travels have continued throughout the Western Hemisphere, and they have been extensive. At one point, over five nights, I slept in five different places -- Vitória in Brazil, Sao Paulo in Brazil, an airplane somewhere over South America, my own bed in New Jersey, and the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. So what did I accomplish on these trips (other than achieving Silver Elite status with United Airlines)? Well, if everyone I spoke with on these trips is to be believed, it seems that 2013 is off to an incredible start compared to the past half decade. At the Vitória Stone Fair in Brazil, suppliers were overwhelmingly positive in discussing their business over the first two months of 2013.
Virtually all of them said that business was significantly better than it was at this time in 2012. I should point out that many Brazilian suppliers were actually positive early last year as well, but the fair was a month earlier then, so they were really only talking about January at that time. Now we are looking at a two-month sample; again, it is early, but it is nice to hear about two months of consistency. One major supplier of exotics actually told me that sales are up 70% over last year, and the only slowdown was a temporary lack of containers at the Vitória port.