I write this stone column on the heels of TISE and a few weeks before I leave for the Xiamen Stone Fair. Trade show season is in full spring, and judging by the positive turnout in Las Vegas, 2018 kicks off with a positive vibe for the stone industry.

Lucja Lawniczak, showroom sales at Illinois Granite & Marble LTD in Elk Grove Village, IL, was the recipient of the Natural Stone Institute’s 2017 Natural Stone Scholarship.

PROSOCO has hired Alley Mathson as its new strategic account manager. Mathson will work directly with decision makers from national firms to provide technical product support on projects, including product demonstrations and trainings for current and new customers.

Epiroc, the new subsidiary of the Atlas Copco Group that is planned to be listed on the stock exchange in 2018, is exhibiting at the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. (SME) Annual Conference & Expo for the first time.

The International Surface Event (TISE) has successfully concluded its 2018 tradeshow in Las Vegas, NV. More than 80 Rockheads representing 42 member companies were in attendance to share experiences and best practices with fellow associates in the surfacing industry.

David Castellucci, director of business development at Kenneth Castellucci & Associates in Lincoln, RI, has been named 2017 Person of the Year by the Natural Stone Institute.

Kathy Spanier, director of marketing for Coldspring in Cold Spring, MN, is the recipient of the 2018 Women in Stone Pioneer Award.

Jim Hogan, senior vice president of Carrara Marble Company of America, is the recipient of the 2017 Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement.

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) released its 2018 Outlook and State of the Industry (OSI) report today, providing a scan of essential knowledge for interior designers, and the interior design industry.

Tennessee Marble Company (TMC) has announced that Josh Buchanan has joined the staff as the company’s Business and Relationship Cultivator.