69,000 trade operators from 154 countries and 1,650 companies from 62 countries attended the 54th edition of Marmomac. After four days at Veronafiere, Saturday was the closing day for the world's landmark exhibition in the natural stone, machinery, processing technology and applied design sector.

An increase of foreign visitors, by now at 62%, confirms the impressive international role of the event.

"This 54th Marmomac has achieved all the goals we set," said Maurizio Danese, president of Veronafiere. "We stimulated the domestic market by focusing on training initiatives such as Meet the inspiration for designers while also collaborating with Confindustria Marmomacchine within the PNA Network to promote the unique quality of natural stone. We have also worked closely with ICE-Italian Trade Agency and the Ministry of Economic Development to consolidate international arrivals through incoming delegations and B2B meetings."

The Italian Stone Theater - the hall focusing on design, innovation and experimentation this year dedicated to the theme of Naturality - plays an increasingly important role within Marmomac.

"Workshops and exhibitions help designers, architects and trade operators to deeper understand how technologies and natural stone can be versatile," said Giovanni Mantovani, CEO of Veronafiere. "Marmomac moreover, is an exhibition capable of providing high end solutions and services. In particular, it supports companies in their approach to international markets thanks to its global natural stone community active 265 days a year."

Marmomac's network of events and trade missions this year also expands into China, specifically in Shanghai and Beijing, with the new Living Italy project dedicated to design. Other established appointments outside Italy are TISE-Stonexpo Marmomac in the United States, Vitoria Stone Fair and Cachoeiro Stone Fair in Brazil.