NÜRNBERG, GERMANY – With its 446 exhibitors and around 15,000 visitors, this year's Stone+tec, the international trade fair for natural stone and stone processing, once again lived up to its reputation as the number one industry gathering. The fair, which took place from May 13 to 16 at the Nuremberg Exhibition Center, offered the highest caliber of exhibitors and visitors and presented a top class range of products and a wealth of information about the natural stone, technology, gravestone and accessories segments. In particular, the six special shows organized by the fair's honorary sponsors and leading industry players explored possible approaches to the current challenges facing the industry and the stonemasonry trade.

"Stone+tec 2015 managed to create a positive outlook for the natural stone sector and stonemasonry trade, "said Petra Wolf from the NürnbergMesse management team. "The high quality booth presentations and fascinating special shows engendered new ideas and inspiration. The extremely knowledgeable trade visitors demonstrated a high propensity to buy and invest. As organizers, we are fully committed to Stone+tec and are convinced that with its new focus on central Europe the show will successfully hold its ground."

There was also a real mood of optimism and confidence among the 446 exhibitors who had travelled to Nuremberg from 31 countries. With 186 companies, Germany was the leading exhibitor, followed by China (74 exhibitors), Italy (57 exhibitors), Turkey (17 exhibitors) and the Czech Republic (15 exhibitors). As well as the long established and prestigious awards for outstanding achievements in architecture and stonemasonry, the German Natural Stone Award and the Peter Parler Award, the six special shows were a particular highlight of Stone+tec 2015. In an informative and inspiring way they explored the sector's current trends and challenges. One of the key themes of the supporting program and lecture series was the recruitment of young people to the industry and this was reflected above all in comprehensive presentations by the participating professional associations.