Well, we made it through January, which especially here in the Northeast is usually a long and dreary month. Throw living in a pandemic on top of it, and it seemed even more daunting. But now spring is in sight, and on the work front, there has been a great deal of things going on that have kept me positive and engaged.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, the 2020 recipient possesses valuable experience required to operate a successful stone fabrication business, as well as a willingness to share her knowledge with her team and other industry members

The Natural Stone Institute has announced the recipients of the 2020 Natural Stone Scholarship and Women in Stone Empowerment Scholarship. Both recipients will be celebrated during the association’s awards ceremony at TISE in Las Vegas this June.

Happy New Year! I have to say, I couldn’t be happier to shut the door on 2020. I’m hoping 2021 will bring all of us better times. While the past year has definitely made for trying moments, it seems that many of the fabricators I have spoken with are finding themselves busy.

Maison, the studio for the design, manufacturing and distribution of luxury artisanal tile and mosaics, recently announced the appointment of Guy Hargreaves and Barbie Kennedy the company’s North American sales team. Guy will serve as the North America sales agent, leading accounts in all 50 states and supporting the company’s innovation strategy. Barbie will cover and scale operations as both the East Coast sales agent and Resident Designer.

Registration is now open for the 2021 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The annual event, which is owned by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), is the largest North American trade destination for kitchen and bath industry professionals. It, along with the International Builders’ Show (IBS), is one of the pillars for the annual three-day event known as Design & Construction Week. This year’s show is scheduled for Feb. 9 to 11 in Orlando, Fla.

One of the original founders of the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers, now the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Robert L. Wieland died on Aug. 20 in his hometown of Allentown, PA. He was 91.

Braxton-Bragg, one of the most respected distributors in the stone industry for the past 26 years, has changed its name to BBIndustries/BBI, to reflect the company’s explosive growth in people, products and partnerships.

On Thursday, April 30, 2020 the Natural Stone Institute will host a webinar entitled “How the Stone Industry is Responding to COVID-19.” Moderated by Jim Hieb, CEO of the Natural Stone Institute, the panel will include: Scott Byers of Majestic Kitchen & Bath Creations, Katie Jensen of Triton Stone Group and Brett Rugo of Rugo Stone.

A recent survey conducted by Clear Seas Research is a barometer of how companies in our industries are being affected by the global pandemic and how long they think it will take to recover