Hanley Wood Exhibitions announced that StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and Surfaces will co-locate beginning in January of 2011.  Both exhibitions will be held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV, from January 26 to 28, with conferences beginning on January 25.

Over the past several years, organizers report that StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas has experienced a steady increase in quality attendees, and an expansion of exhibit offerings to include more natural stone as well as alternative surfaces. They stated that the co-location of StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and Surfaces is a natural fit for both events.

“The decision to co-locate StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and Surfaces was made for several reasons,” stated Dana Teague, Surfaces and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas Show Director.  “Combining the two events will allow the stone industry and the flooring industry unparalleled education and networking opportunities as well as exposure to the largest product selection of any show of its kind.  Also, moving StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas to late January gives those exhibitors who also take part in Marmomacc in Verona, Italy, the chance to catch their breath before heading to Las Vegas.”

“The Marble Institute is supportive of the decision to co-locate StonExpo with Surfaces beginning in 2011,” said Gary Distelhorst, CAE, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Marble Institute of America, also an Official Sponsor of StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas. “We feel this provides an incredible opportunity for StonExpo exhibitors to get exposure to the approximately 25,000 attendees at Surfaces, as well as a great opportunity for StonExpo registrants to visit the Surfaces trade show and meet new suppliers, see new products and obtain new knowledge. In today’s world of needing to be nimble and innovative, the co-location of StonExpo and Surfaces seems to me to be a home run.”

Other industry veterans have supported the decision, pointing to the additional contact with the design community as an advantage for both shows. “We are very excited about the impending co-location of the StonExpo and Surfaces shows,” states Mark Fernandes, President of Luck Stone Corp.  “There is clearly an opportunity for the stone industry to benefit from the visibility we will gain as a result of the foot traffic and demographic of the Surfaces event.”

As the Official Sponsor of Surfaces, the World Floor Covering Association welcomes the move, stating that the products and services available at both shows are complementary, and the mix of attendees is very similar. “Year after year, Surfaces broadens its product scope to encompass everything the consumer is looking for when building or purchasing a new home. From the ‘Window and Wall Covering’ pavilion introduced in 2005 to the newly created ‘Above the Baseboard’ pavilion, Surfaces continually strives to meet the needs of our attendees and their customers,” said Chris Davis, President and CEO of the World Floor Covering Association. “This co-location is a natural progression for the show and will only enhance and strengthen the commitment Surfaces has for the entire industry. We’re glad to have StonExpo join us in 2011 and look forward to working together in making both shows a huge success.” StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and Surfaces will continue to offer separate conference programs focusing on the unique needs of each trade. While the two events will have separate entrances into the exhibit hall, attendees will be free to visit exhibits for both shows.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas’ Official Sponsors are the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Natural Stone Council. For more information on StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, call 866-550-6808 or visit www.StonExpo.com.