Having passed the half mark of 2020, I have taken some time for reflection. It certainly has been a game-changer so far. In January, I started the year off like any other.

The opening day of The International Surface Event (TISE), including StonExpo/Marmomac, drew a countless amount of visitors who eagerly waited in a seemingly endless line to register for the stone, tile and flooring exhibition.

Many in the industry will be gathering for StonExpo/Marmomac at The International Surface Event (TISE) in January 2020 in Las Vegas.

It only took me 23 years, but I finally made it out to visit the Indiana Limestone Belt. I’d have to say it was long overdue. A big “thank you” goes to my friend Todd Schnatzmeyer at the Indiana Limestone Institute who made my excursion possible, along with all of the companies that graciously welcomed me into their quarries and mills.

Obra Blanca Expo (OB Expo), a new tradeshow of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), has joined with Informa, the world's largest exhibition organization, to bring StonExpo to México. OB Expo with StonExpo Mexico will take place October 15–17, 2019, at Expo Santa Fe, México City.

Stone World was started by Mike and Stephanie Lench in November 1984. At that time, GranQuartz was busily introducing machinery and equipment for the stone industry to include large diameter (11-6 foot) block saws, automatic abrasive line polishers, edge polishers, etc.

This year, Stone World celebrates its 35th anniversary. And while the magazine itself has evolved through the decades, the stone industry at large has also experienced change and growth, as well as some hardships over time.