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Minnesota Stone Summit - May 21, 2026

Minnesota Stone Summit
May 21, 2026

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Stone Industry Education

Stone Fabricator Forum

Join us for the Stone Fabricator Forum-a dynamic gathering of fabricators and stone professionals committed to advancing the stone fabrication industry. Connect with peers, gain valuable insights from industry leaders, and explore emerging trends, technologies, and challenges shaping the future of fabrication.

This is your chance to swap ideas, learn about new technology and materials, and have honest conversations about the challenges you're facing every day.

At The Forum, You will:

Discover the latest advancements in stone fabrication, from automation to sustainable material practices.
Tackle key industry issues, including sourcing challenges, transportation delays, and market fluctuations.
Share and learn best practices for workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
Identify workforce skill gaps and explore training opportunities to enhance team capabilities.
Build lasting partnerships and tap into shared knowledge and resources within the fabrication community.

Venue & Location

MSI Surfaces
10955 73rd Pl N
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Find Your Venue

Instructor

Buddy Ontra
Natural Stone Institute

Agenda

8:30 AM: Registration and Networking

9:00 AM: Welcome and Attendee Introductions

9:30 AM: Material Trends Panel

Buddy Ontra (Moderator)
Thomas Price, MSI
Dan King, Leon's Countertops

10:30 AM: Break

10:45 AM: Safety in the Stone Industry

Buddy Ontra (Moderator)
Ted Huppert, Grazzini Brothers

12:00 PM: Lunch and Networking

1:30 PM: Technical Fabricator Forum

Buddy Ontra (Moderator)
Nate Schultz, Innovative Surfaces
Brad Nooris, NVR Surfaces
Steve McIntosh, Astonia Stone Artisan

3:00 PM: Closing and Reception

Registration Fees

$99

for Installers & Fabricators

$249

for Suppliers & Stone Distributors

Earn two free registrations

Non-Natural Stone Institute member companies who join prior to the seminar can send two employees free of charge (a $198 value). For more information about membership, go to www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/whyjoin or call 440.250.9222 and ask for the NSI membership team.

Target Audience

Stone fabrication industry professionals, including business owners, marketing experts, and those eager to expand their businesses, connect with suppliers, and glean invaluable 'best practices' for successful operations.

Earn CEU Credits

Take advantage of this special workshop the day before the stone summit!

Natural Stone vs. Manmade Materials

May 20th, 2026

4:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Separate registration required for CEU course

Buddy Ontra
Natural Stone Institute

Natural stone has been the premier building material of choice throughout history, thanks to its durability and timeless aesthetic. Inherently beautiful and versatile, it is no wonder that manmade materials aim to replicate its attributes, appearance and ultimately its desirability.

This course will compare the versatility, performance characteristics, and green building considerations for both natural stone and manmade materials. Understanding these key points will prepare you with knowledge for design concepts, applications and how to educate the consumer.

Styles change from season to season, but mother nature creates unique designs in natural stone that are historically innovative and always on trend.

Learning objectives:

Define and explain attributes to understand what can affect the performance of both natural stone and manmade materials in interior applications.
Compare and contrast the attributes and installation capabilities of natural stone and manmade materials to understand the optimal building material choice for project design and installation.
Discuss common green building considerations for these materials, including embodied energy, potentially harmful ingredients, and land impacts.
Learn which innovative design trends can be satisfied using natural stone, including biophilic design, complex geometries, and textures, to offer the consumer both creative and aesthetic opportunity.