9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Setting Proper Expectations with the Design Professional About Natural Stone
Speaker: Peter Becker, stone-ideas.com
Experience Level: New to Profession/Mid-Level
Natural stone is in large demand around the world. Yet sometimes the design professionals will simply substitute stone for other materials in the product specification without fully understanding if the stone is best suited for that application. This session will focus on the relationship between the stone contractor and the design professional, as well as the proper application of stone in a variety of applications. Learn about how you can enhance natural stone’s profile and visibility.
Tuesday, April 30
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Basics of Travertine Selection, Fabrication, Installation and Maintenance
Speaker: Chris Byrd, Interceramic, Inc.
Experience Level: New to Profession/Mid-Level
This one-hour class is designed for attendees to gain a full understanding of travertine as a building material. Learn more about how to select this natural stone for a variety of interior and exterior applications and how travertine is fabricated, along with its unique application opportunities to enhance design plans. Obtain information about setting the proper consumer expectation in regards to installation and maintenance.
Tuesday, April 30
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Be Our Guest: Tile and Stone in Hospitality
Speakers: Pierre Josselin, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA); Patricia Richey, tvsdesign; Karen Teske Blue, The Johnson Studio
Experience Level: All
From restaurants to hotels, architects and designers throughout Atlanta are being recognized for inspiring designs both at home and abroad. Join this interactive discussion as our panel shares their motivation, the role tile and stone has played in their work and future hospitality trends.
Tuesday, April 30
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Stone Testing for Dummies
Speakers: David Castellucci, Kenneth Castellucci & Associates, Inc.; Chuck Muehlbauer, Marble Institute of America
Experience Level: New to Profession/Mid-Level
Stone testing is an important aspect of the stone and tile industry, yet the difficult part is to know which test is appropriate for the right application. During this fun, interactive session, learn about the relevance of the most widely used test procedures and when they should be utilized. Learn tips on how to explain the technical aspects of stone testing in everyday common language.
Tuesday, April 30
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Metrics for the Automated & Un-Automated Fabrication Shop
Speakers: Josiah Lilly, Epic Ceramic & Stone; Paul Menninger, Capitol Granite
Experience Level: Mid-Level
Understanding your metrics, and being able to price work for profitability is key for the automated shop to produce a profit at the end of the day. A comprehensive understanding of fixed and variable costs, contribution margins and per-activity man hours is critical to extrapolating large bids. In this session, attendees will learn to develop a budget based on history and planned sales; sell man-hours and develop a process for tracking; develop metrics against norms in industry; and understand GAP accounting and what it means to banks and other financial institutions who may back the fabricator.
Wednesday, May 1
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Wholesale/Slab Distributors Forum
Moderator: Vincent Moiso, Quarry Collection
Panelists: Eric Schigiel, Opustone Natural Stone Distributors; Rupesh Shah, MS International; Jonathan Zanger, Walker Zanger
Experience Level: All
Back by popular demand. Join us for the fifth annual discussion of strategic issues critical to running successful wholesale/slab distribution companies. This open discussion will cover a host of operational issues including building strong fabricator relationships, networking with the design community, freight issues and much more.
Wednesday, May 1
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
The Restoration and Maintenance of Stone and Terrazzo Using No Chemicals
Speaker: Fred Hueston, Stone Forensics
Experience Level: All
There are many perspectives about floor maintenance and this session presents the viewpoint that stone and terrazzo floors do not need a topical coating of any kind. Waxes, sealers, etc. act as a sacrificial coating, grinding the grit and dirt into the surface. This means that every time a force is applied to the floor, it is scratched and damaged. In addition, the chemicals necessary to strip and wax can be extremely hazardous. Naturally polished stone and/or terrazzo uses zero chemicals, using diamond abrasives and water, the floor is polished to a high shine and left in a natural state. Join this session to discuss proper restoration and maintenance of stone and terrazzo based on continuous, simple maintenance procedures.
Wednesday, May 1
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Artistry Meets Innovation: Designing with the Newest Tile, Stone and Glass
Speaker: Joshua Levinson, Artistic Tile
Experience Level: All
As a result of advancement in technology and production, tile, stone and glass are now available in formats never before available to designers and architects. This CEU will review some of the newest tile and stone and glass available, showcase how they differ, talk about specifying these products, feature the looks that can be achieved with these new materials and provide guidance on their installation and care.
Wednesday, May 1
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Sustainability – For Those Who Haven’t Been Paying Attention.
Speaker: Dan Rea, Cold Spring Granite Co.; Todd Schnatzmeyer, Indiana Limestone Institute
Experience Level: All
If you’ve been busy managing your business and haven’t kept up with what the stone and tile industry is doing in the sustainability arena, this is the session you’ll want to attend. Get perspectives from a stone industry executive with an architectural background. Learn what the industry is doing in 2013, and how it impacts your business. Learn how you should be communicating with the design community.
Wednesday, May 1
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Know Before You Import: U.S. Customs Classification of Building Stone
Speaker: Jacob Bunin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Experience Level: Mid-Level
Importers of building stone should be familiar with the applicable tariff provisions and rates of duty before they import the merchandise. Importers often assume certain incorrect provisions apply and plan their pricing incorrectly. Knowledge of the principles of tariff classification is crucial to American importers and foreign shippers of stone. Jacob Bunin of U.S. Customs will explain distinctions in the classification of building stones under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule based on the identity of the stone (marble, granite, etc.), and distinctions based on the degree to which the stone is worked. He will also discuss the applicability of NAFTA to stone produced in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. In addition, he will explain the procedures that one should follow when requesting a ruling on tariff classification. The rulings program allows an importer or foreign shipper to determine the proper classification of a product prior to importation.
Wednesday, May 1
3:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Managing a Successful Family Business
Moderator: Tony Malisani, Malisani Inc.
Speakers: Michelle Goetzinger, Blume’s; Michael and Jeremy Twiss, Columbia Stone
Experience Level: Mid-Level/Leader
Working in a family business can be a challenge. Why are some businesses successful while others struggle? What are the best practices? Join a panel of stone professionals from three different family businesses as they share their positive and not-so-positive experiences.
Wednesday, May 1
3:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Why Am I Being Sued When I Did Nothing Wrong?
Speaker: Marc Rosenkrantz, Schechner Lifson Corporation
Experience Level: All
As a business owner, you must protect yourself and business from lawsuits that emanate from actions or inactions of your employees or representatives. The class will provide methods and techniques that will help avoid many claims that may lead to lawsuits. Having appropriate insurance and risk transfer programs are critical to minimizing your chance of suit.
Thursday, May 2
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Exotic Stones — Expectations, Issues and Resolution Tips for Fabricators
Speakers: Filippo Emanuel, Tenax USA; Ron Hannah, Cadenza Corp.
Experience Level: Mid-Level
Due to technology/process advances, the industry has seen an explosion of exotic stones, which has added to the appeal of natural stone among consumers. Sometimes the same technology that helped bring that stone to the market is a struggle for the fabricator. Join this session to learn about exotic stones, how they are classified and the new technology for quarrying and processing. Understand how to recognize slabs — the good, the bad and those that could cause major headaches. From fixing color issues and variances, to edge polishing differences in colors, you will walk away with the knowledge you need to work with this growing trend.
Thursday, May 2
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Ready to Use or Premixed Grouts and Their Place in the Trade
Speakers: Steve Taylor, MMSA; Leigh Hightower, MMSA
Experience Level: New to Profession/Mid-Level
Join representatives from the MMSA to learn the history of grout and ceramic tile before delving into the most recent developments in pre-mixed, ready-to-use grout. This session will detail the similarities and advantages of ready-to-use grout, traditional cement and epoxy-based grout. Understand the compositional differences and the curing mechanism of each type of grout and garner advice on installation of ready-to-use grout and the benefits to the end customers.
Thursday, May 2
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Demystifying the Design Professional and Manufacturer Relationship
Speakers: Michael P. Johnson, Michael P Johnson Design Studio; Lira Luis, ALLL
Experience Level: Mid-Level
Finding the right product for a project is equally important as finding the right manufacturer to work with on a project. A designer’s idea is only as good as the products he/she specifies as well as how the manufacturer executes this idea. Recent advancements in tile have allowed designers more opportunities for creativity. However, unless these advancements are communicated to designers and designers adopt these into projects, they remain just another product to sell. What happens when the innovative product is embraced by the designer, applied on a project that meets the client’s basis of design, and could deliver the design objective? How do those projects turn out as a result? This seminar examines the best practices related to the designer-manufacturer relationship and how both sides can benefit from the process. Several case-study projects will be presented, demonstrating aesthetically pleasing projects resulting from successful designer-manufacturer collaborations.
Thursday, May 2
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Stone Trends 2013
Speaker: Vince Marazita, Marazita & Associates
Experience Level: New to Profession/Mid-Level
From countertops to skyscrapers, natural stone is a well-accepted building material in the U.S. Especially in these lean construction years, it is crucial to understand the direction of the market for dimensional stone. Get an overall view of the market and market trends by attending this 15th annual “State of the Industry” presentation on the dimensional stone market in the U.S. This session will cover information, sourcing, marketing and application trends in the stone industry over the last year, including examples of award-winning projects that have been recognized for their use of natural stone.
Thursday, May 2
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
A Sales Seminar for Fabricators Who Hate Sales
Speaker: Thomas Robinson, ANO, Inc.
Experience Level: All
Many in the stone industry are business owners who know production and how to create a quality product. But do not they know sales? If you are looking for more sales to help pay your overhead and generate long-term profits, then this session will provide you with a great foundation. Learn to recognize that all employees and all processes are part of the sales process and create a framework for sales in your business. Come prepared to develop strategies for sales success.
