Last year, Hanley Wood announced the launch of two events designed to bring the flooring and surfaces industries together. TileExpo, a new trade show focused on the tile industry, will launch in conjunction with Surfaces and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas (formerly S2). All three shows form The International Surface Event, creating the largest event for the flooring, stone and tile industries shows in one location.
“We are thrilled to launch these new events. TileExpo will be the perfect complement to Surfaces and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas,” said Dana Teague, Vice President of Hanley Wood Exhibitions.
TileExpo will feature an array of innovative, trend-setting and distinctive tile products, along with a comprehensive education program, including hands-on demonstrations and on-floor education. Exhibitors will gain exposure to the largest gathering of floor covering and surface industry professionals in North America.
StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas will include exhibits of natural stone and quartz surfacing as well as stoneworking technology, accessories, maintenance products and more.
Plenty of education for stone industry members can also be found at “The Cage,” presented by the Stone Fabricators Alliance, which includes hands-on testing of the newest fabrication products as well as demonstrations.
Classroom sessions at StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas include:
January 27 — 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Team Stone Design: Architects, Designers, and Fabricator/Installers Working Together
Speakers: Lisa Dirk and Scott Lardner
Description:The goal of this seminar is to help develop a team mentality between architects, designers and fabricators by providing a brief overview of the various natural and engineered stone products on the market with an explanation of various fabrication requirements, limitations, and money saving designs for the design professional. Speakers will cover the geological makeup of the dimensional stones on the market today, quarrying techniques, cutting/layout, fabrication techniques and limitations, installation requirements, typical jointing, stone testing, typical stone specifications and how to manage client expectations.
January 28 — 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
How to Make Money as a Fabricator
Speakers:Duane Naquin, Joey Marcella and panel
Description:Join this fast-paced business seminar on sales, marketing, branding and financial benchmarking. In this condensed seminar, you’ll walk away with action items and “best practices” from fabricators who have been successful.
January 28 — 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Implementing Safety in Your Stone Warehouse and Fabrication Shop
Speakers:Jim Nikolopoulos and Lisa Dirk
Description:This session will explore everything you want to know about safety in the stone industry. Speakers will discuss the latest safety techniques and safety training. They will walk you through safety in the stone yard, stone warehouse and fabrication shops and show you what to look for to achieve a safe working environment.
January 28 — 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Residential Countertop Fabricators Forum
Speakers:Joey Marcella, Marco Duran, Ron Hannah, Tony Malisani and Michael Reis (moderator)
Description:This open forum for residential countertop fabricators is an excellent opportunity to discuss with your fabricator colleagues many of the challenges involved in the residential countertop market. It will cover everything from fabrication methods, equipment needs and materials to customer expectations, personnel and sales strategies. Come prepared to share ideas and discuss opportunities and challenges that you face every day. All attendees are encouraged to participate by presenting a problem or sharing a solution.
January 30 — 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Understanding Operational Costs of a Stone Fabrication Facility
Speakers: Nick Began, Paul Menninger
Description:Defining and understanding key cost drivers is the foundation to segmenting costs appropriately and utilizing percentage based cost information to make calculated financial decisions. Increased understanding and proper utilization of cost components leads to increased productivity, efficiency and healthier bottom lines.
January 30 — 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Transform Your Shop into a Fully Digital Operation
Speakers:Evan Kruger, Jeff Erickson
Description:Today, fabricators are working in a different economic and fabrication environment. Now is the time to challenge yourself and your operations to do things differently. Have you considered becoming a fully digital shop? Learn from fabricators who have taken the steps to make their shops fully digital, including the pitfalls and successes of the shop transformation.
For more information, visit www.stonexpo.com.
