The key phase of preparations for Stone+tec Nürnberg 2011 has begun, and the event is set to take place at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from June 22 to 25, 2011. The get-together for the natural stone sector in Central Europe welcomed more than 34,000 trade visitors and 770 exhibitors from more than 40 countries at the last event in 2009.

“Following the better performance of the 2009 exhibition compared with the event two years before, we are confident that a further upward trend will be apparent in 2011, also due to the more positive signals finally coming from the world economy again,” said Willy Viethen, Exhibition Director of Stone+tec at NürnbergMesse.

The products and services of the exhibiting companies and a supporting program packed with information are the big attractions of Stone+tec Nürnberg, which has always reflected the sector since it began in 1979.

Products on display at Stone+tec 2011 will include natural stone as well as products for the installation, maintenance and restoration of natural stone. From the technology side, there will be machinery for stoneworking and quarrying as well as accessories and diamond tooling. Another section will address monuments and funerary art.

Around half the visitors at Stone+tec 2009 came from the craft trades, 19% from the industry and 11% from the wholesale trade. The share of architects and building planners was 4%.

According to surveys taken after the 2009 event, nine out of 10 exhibitors reached their most important target groups and made new business connections. A total of 80% of the exhibiting companies made direct sales during the exhibition, and 85% expected follow-up business - 6% more than in 2007. Also, 95% of exhibitors welcomed visitors to their stand from countries outside Germany.

Exhibitors who decide to exhibit in 2011 quickly not only profit from the quality of the event, but also qualify for the early-bird discount on stand rental for applications received by September 24, 2010. Details are available on the Internet at www.stone-tec.com or direct from the new Stone+tec exhibition team in Nürnberg, which smoothly continues the tradition of personal service, or from the worldwide representatives of NürnbergMesse.