With a vote of 565 to 25, the memberships of Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Building Stone Institute (BSI) have overwhelmingly decided to authorize a historic merger of North America's two most prominent stone associations.

The MIA+BSI: The Natural Stone Institute and Stone World magazine held a one-day Colorado Stone Summit in September at M S International, Inc.’s facility in Aurora, CO, as part of their Stone Industry Education seminars.

The 2017 stone education series -organized by MIA+BSI: The Natural Stone Institute and Stone World- made a stop in Memphis, TN, for the first time. The all-day event, which was hosted by Pacific Shore Stones, drew 28 fabricators from 18 different companies.

A delegation of 41 members of MIA+BSI: The Natural Stone Institute attended the Xiamen Stone Fair, which was held from March 6 to 9, 2017 in Xiamen, China. This was the second year MIA+BSI participated at the exhibition, and participants were eager to experience the trade show, and Chinese culture.

For Karen Roe, owner of NSM Florida Enterprises (NSMOTIF) in Sanford, FL, it has been a series of stepping stones to achieve the level of success her stone fabrication business has reached today. Through hard work, determination and investment in technology, Roe has taken her company from only fabricating small custom projects to now receiving large commercial jobs.

Recently hosting its 17th edition in Xiamen, China, from March 6 to 9, 2017, the Xiamen Stone Fair fulfilled its show management’s expectations by receiving 150,290 visitors, 29,407 which came from overseas, during the four-day event.

The first two events of the 2017 Stone Industry Education series - organized by the Marble Institute of America+Building Stone Institute (MIA+BSI) and Stone World - kicked off in Phoenix, AZ, on February 15 followed by Houston, TX, on March 9.

A total of seven companies were honored at the MIA+BSI Awards luncheon at TISE (The International Surface Event) for earning MIA accreditation in 2016.

It’s been a busy first quarter and start to 2017. Showing no signs of a holiday hangover, the stone industry charged out of the gate in January with a tremendous showing at The International Surface Event (TISE) in Las Vegas, NV.

While walking through the bustling exhibit hall at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, during The International Surface Event (TISE), it was evident business is picking up for members of the stone industry.