Surfaces/StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas to offer diverse education

LAS VEGAS, NV --Surfaces/StoneExpo/Marmomacc Americas will offer floor covering and stone industry professionals a cutting-edge, multi-track educational program to enrich their business development. The conference program is set to take place beginning on January 28 and running throughout the three days of the show, which will be held from January 29 to 31, 2013 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.

More than 70 business, installation, technical and "hot topic" sessions representing the newest ideas on every challenge from sealing stone to avoiding problems with floor covering to effective time management skills will be offered over four days. Topics are designed specifically for floor covering and stone industry professionals wishing to increase their level of expertise in their field.

"Education is imperative to growing a profitable business in today's market," said Jennifer Hughes, Conference Manager. "Surfaces/StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas' industry leading educational program accommodates all levels of understanding from novice through expert. The sessions identify key issues facing the floor covering and stone industries with a focus on helping to improve production, performance and the bottom line."

Of the more than 70 sessions, 40 feature brand new topics covering every business segment. All sessions are less than two hours in length and do not conflict with exhibit hall hours. This schedule allows attendees ample time on the show floor to find new products, services, technologies and innovations. Among the new sessions offered in the 2013 program are: The Science of Sealing Stone, Performance and Sustainability: The Latest in Tile Industry Product Specifications, The Challenges of Installing Large Format Porcelain Tile and Stone, Keys to Effective Time Management – Surviving in a 24/7 World, Glass Tile: A Journey through Design Trends, Colors and Applications, Building Your Marketing Tool Kit, Avoiding Problems with Floor Covering: Getting the Right Product in the Right Place, Stone Fabrication - The Art of Setting Customer Expectations, and Social Media in Action: Retailers Share Best Practices.

All educational sessions require pre-registration. Online registration is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Floor covering and stone industry professionals can elevate their professional standing by earning an S² Masters Certification available in all eight program tracks. This certification includes a certificate, recognition on the show Web site and a ribbon for their 2014 badge signifying them as an expert in the field. More than 300 conference attendees from 2012 earned their S2 Masters Certification. In addition, the Surfaces/ StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas program offers courses that qualify for credits that are not offered anywhere else. Select sessions qualify for credit with AIA, AIBD, IDCEC (ASID, IDC, IIDA), IICRC, WFCA and CFI.

The following is a complete schedule of the Surfaces/StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2013 conference program:

Monday, January 28, 2013 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Social Media: How-To for Business

Instructors: Christine Whittemore, Simple Marketing Now; Sara Kelly, MKG Department

Monday, January 28, 2013 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Understanding and Ending Moisture-Related Flooring Problems

Instructor: Peter Craig, Concrete Constructives

Monday, January 28, 2013 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Understanding Operational Costs of a Stone Fabrication Facility

Instructors: Paul Menninger, Capitol Granite; Miles Crowe, Crowe Custom Countertops

Monday, January 28, 2013 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

What Architects and Designers Need to Know About Tile, Installations and Care and Maintenance

Instructors: Danny MacNair, Daltile & Stone; Dale Roberts, Custom Building Products; Rod Sigman, Custom Building Products