Louisiana Stone Summit – February 13, 2025

Louisiana Stone Summit
February 13, 2025

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Register Now

Stone Industry Education

 

Silica and Slab LIVE Safety Certificate

Earn the Natural Stone Institute’s new Silica & Slab Safety Certificate in this live training session. Learn the key components of a stone fabrication safety program and gain insights into safe slab handling and reducing exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS).

Get the tools you need to improve workplace safety, maintain OSHA compliance, and train your employees to ensure a safe and secure work environment for your entire team.

silica and slab certificate

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the key components to create an overall safety program.
  • Gain insights into safe slab handling and reducing exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
  • Discuss best practices for reducing RCS exposure through PPE, testing, engineering controls, and housekeeping.
  • Gain access to tools, documents, and additional resources that will help build your comprehensive safety program.

Venue & Location

triton sone group

Triton Stone Group
6131 River Rd
Harahan, LA 70123
Find Your Venue

Instructor

Mark Meriaux

Mark Meriaux
Natural Stone Institute



Registration Fees

$99

for Installers & Fabricators

$249

for Suppliers & Stone Distributors

Register Now


Earn two free registrations

Non-Natural Stone Institute member companies who join prior to the seminar can send two employees free of charge (a $198 value). For more information about membership, go to www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/whyjoin or call 440.250.9222 and ask for the NSI membership team.

Target Audience

Stone fabrication industry professionals, including business owners, marketing experts, and those eager to expand their businesses, connect with suppliers, and glean invaluable 'best practices' for successful operations.






Take advantage of this special workshop the day before the stone summit!

Wine & Stone


February 12, 2025

4:30 PM - 7:30 PM


Register Now!

Separate registration required for CEU course

Mark Meriaux

Mark Meriaux
Natural Stone Institute

Red or white, sweet or dry? The Wine & Stone presentation was developed as a unique way to show attendees what factors make stone hard or soft, veined or patterned, etc. For example, nutritionally restricted limestone soil gives more acidity to the wines grown there. Mineral composition also comes into play when talking about the characteristics of stone. Marbles are composed primarily of calcium carbonate which makes them less resistant to chemicals such as acids and bases. Find out more interesting facts that determine the characteristics of wine & stone!

Learning Objectives:

  • Find out how formation and mineral composition affect the characteristics of natural stone as a building material.
  • Compare and contrast similar types of stone.
  • Learn how to create appeal for natural stone by telling the interesting stories about how and why they look and perform differently than each other.
  • Learn how climate and soil factors affect the flavor and acidity of wine.
-->
Mark Meriaux | Stone World
Stone Industry Education presented by Natural Stone Institute and Stone World magazine

Mark Meriaux Mark Meriaux
Accreditation & Technical Manager
Natural Stone Institute

Mark Meriaux is Accreditation and Technical Manager for the Natural Stone Institute. After many years working in the industry, Mark joined the Natural Stone Institute staff in 2016.

Mark earned a BS of Mechanical Engineering Technology from Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Kennesaw State University in Marietta, GA in 1991. His post-collegiate career began in technical sales of HVAC and power generation equipment for multiple companies in the Atlanta, GA area. Mark’s career in the natural stone industry began in 2002 when he and a partner opened The Granite Shop in Smyrna, GA. The Granite Shop ceased operations when the partnership dissolved in 2008. Mark continued in the stone industry selling and managing fabrication of larger and larger stone installation projects from Miami, FL to Boston, MA. Mark has also been a founding member of two other stone industry trade groups for fabricators: Stone Fabricator’s Alliance (2006) and All Slab Fabbers (2019).

In Mark’s current role with the Natural Stone Institute, he oversees the Accreditation Program – the only independent credentialing program available to stone fabrication and installation companies. Mark serves on the staff technical team and provides technical help and guidance to member companies and design professionals. Mark also plays a key role in the Natural Stone Institute’s focus on Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) safety education and training resources.

Since 2016, Mark has had regular speaking engagements at major industry trade shows and regional education and safety events. In 2019, Mark presented RCS compliance education and safety training to over 750 attendees at 20+ events. During his annual travels, Mark visits over 150 stone fabrication companies each year. From these visits, Mark gains first-hand knowledge about common issues that stone fabrication companies face, and with that information can cater messaging and training that is both understandable and achievable.

Mark has been a resident of Marietta, GA for over 20 years, and lives with his wife, Stacy, and their two children, Sarah and Tyler.

NATIONAL DIAMOND SPONSORS

ICP (Stain Proof by Dry Treat) go clips park industries SeamLock by Big Dog Adhesives stonExpo Pearlman Group/GranQuartz MORE surface care
Interested in sponsoring an upcoming event?

Learn how your company can participate in an upcoming Stone Summit.