Stone World Year-End Recap and 2026 Expectations
Photo Courtesy of Jason Kamery
Five years into what the stone countertop industry has dubbed "the new normal," fabricators continue to navigate unpredictable market conditions heading into 2026.
"It seems like it was kind of a crazy year for fabricators," said Jason Kamery, managing editor of Stone World, during the publication's year-end podcast. “A little bit of up and down, you know, some good months, some bad months. I know we have been saying this for five years now, but, that is the new normal, right?"
Jennifer Richinelli, Stone World editorial director, agreed that the pattern has become entrenched. The industry publication is encouraging fabricators to share their experiences navigating the fluctuating market.
"If there are challenges that you are facing, or challenges that you overcame, we would like to hear from you," said Kamery. "If you are just facing challenges and you are like, 'I need help with this as a business,' then that is what we will do. We will go find those sources to help you with that."
Fabricator of the Year
An annual highlight for Stone World is its Fabricator of the Year Award competition. For 2025, there were three nominees. The winner will be announced at The International Surface Event (tise) in Las Vegas, NV, at the end of January.
"It's not always that there's one clear winner during the voting period,” said Richinelli. “It does make it exciting. All are deserving candidates; they all do have a following."
She added that the voting often comes down to the wire. "I always feel bad that there is only one winner," said Richinelli. "We do interviews with them and get to know them a little better, so I always feel bad, but everybody is a winner to even be recognized."
Heavy 2026 Trade Show Schedule
As we head into 2026, the stone industry faces a particularly busy first quarter, with multiple major events concentrated in Las Vegas. Tise kicks off the year in late January, followed by Coverings, also returning to Las Vegas at the end of March.
“The events offer different perspectives on the industry,” said Kamery. "Even though they sometimes feel kind of close together, they really are not because it feels like you are getting so much different information and knowledge.”
Richinelli will once again attend Marmomac, the international stone trade show that draws stone industry professionals from around the world to Verona, Italy, every September. "I see all my international friends, and we always get a lot of different leads and stories and good conversations," said Richinelli.
Kamery will join the Stone Fabricators Alliance’s (SFA) trip to Italy in May. "I will be busy that entire time there,” said Kamery of the intensive itinerary. “It is non-stop."
Regional Seminars Expanding
The Stone Industry Education (SIE) events, which Stone World organizes with the Natural Stone Institute (NSI), will add at least one additional location to the 2026 series. The regional events pair educational presentations with networking opportunities.
“Fabricators have traveled from across the country for topics that interest them, even when events are held far from home,” said Kamery. "They learn something special, not just from the other fabricators, not just from the speaker, but also from the sponsors that are there. Being able to have one-on-one time with the sponsors is a hidden benefit of the smaller format.”
Details on locations, speakers and topics are available at stoneindustryeducation.com.
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