Natural stone is nearly complete as a building material in its natural state. It is recyclable, low maintenance, emits no VOCs and is one of the most durable materials on the planet.

With the advent of online reviews, HGTV and social media, consumers are saturated with options ranging from natural stone, engineered quartz (quartz surfacing), pre-cast concrete, porcelain, glass, stainless steel, sintered surfaces and so on.

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.

It’s been a busy first quarter and start to 2017. Showing no signs of a holiday hangover, the stone industry charged out of the gate in January with a tremendous showing at The International Surface Event (TISE) in Las Vegas, NV.

While walking through the bustling exhibit hall at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, during The International Surface Event (TISE), it was evident business is picking up for members of the stone industry.