Organizers report that companies in the ceramic tile and natural stone sector closed $60 million in business during the second edition of Revestir, the International Tile and Stone Exhibition, which took place in March at the Transamerica ExpoCenter, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. According to the exhibition management, the domestic market absorbed $25 million worth of sales, and export contracts were $35 million. This exceeds reported sales of the 2003 edition by 20%.

The organizers go on to report that Revestir received 25,000 national and international visitors, including architects, specifiers, engineers and distributors. The exhibition received about 600 foreign visitors from 57 countries, and exhibition management expects to have more than 1,000 foreign buyers at the event in 2005.

In addition to visitors from North America, attendees came from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Mexico, Chile and South Africa, among others. Sales to the foreign market benefited in part from the Euro appreciation and its relation to the U.S. dollar. This factor, along with the quality of Brazilian products, resulted in a strong sales performance at Revistir.

The event was promoted by Anfacer, the Brazilian association of ceramic tile manufacturers, and Abiemg, the Brazilian association of marble and granite export companies.