Home to the University of Tennessee and host to the 1982 World’s Fair, Knoxville, TN, was the destination for the 2019 Natural Stone Institute Study Tour, which drew a total of 66 participants. The four-day event provided an arena for attendees to mingle and network through many sessions and activities, including a downtown walking tour; member forums; a banquet and live auction; live product, fabrication and install demonstrations; visits to several regional stone companies and equipment manufacturers; a team challenge bowling exercise and planned recreation. Attendees also participated in a service project to “give back” to the local community.
The study tour kicked off with a welcome reception at the Pour Taproom. The event permitted time for participants to socialize – catching up with old friends, as well as making new ones. “It was refreshing to unplug a few times during the Knoxville-based Study Tour to enjoy the face-to-face company of fellow industry professionals while also witnessing some of central Tennessee’s most impressive stone operations,” said Jane Bennett, executive vice president of the Natural Stone Institute. “The most rewarding aspect of these tours for me is watching the bonds of friendship and business relationships that develop over a four-day time frame. It’s a long time to be away from the office, but I can’t think of a more valuable opportunity for such diverse networking experiences than when enjoying a bus ride, dining together or participating in a fun recreational challenge.”