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.

With more than 4,850 employees throughout 37 countries, the Cosentino Group has grown by leaps and bounds since it was founded in 1979. In addition to being a natural stone producer, the Cosentino Group has developed and promotes the brands of Silestone, Dekton and Sensa.

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.

This month marks my 21st anniversary with Stone World- how fast the time goes by! And while many aspects of the industry, and even systems for publishing a magazine have changed, it is comforting that many things have also stayed the same.