StonExpo at TISE 2023

Want to learn more about the Natural Stone Foundation? Join us for a brief overview of the history and mission of the Foundation. Learn about current initiatives and accomplishments and understand why it is important for stone companies to get involved.

Join us as we discuss the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard (ANSI/NSI 373), industry wide Natural Stone Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and other sustainability initiatives. Learn from companies who have certified to the Standard and understand how it has impacted their operations and improved their marketing message. Gain a better understanding of what it takes to become certified and how to incorporate sustainability into your business.

Tour the natural stone pavilion with CEO of the Natural Stone Institute, Jim Hieb. This pavilion is the fastest growing area on the exhibit floor. Gain Jim’s insights as he connects you with stone industry leaders from Brazil, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and North America.

Have you ever wanted to visit a quarry? During this session, you’re invited to tour quarries around the country- without leaving the show floor. We’ll learn about the history of three quarries and the geology that makes them unique. We will also hear where each quarry’s material was feature and what made the applications unique.

This interactive forum is an excellent opportunity to discuss challenges with your fabricator colleagues. The session will include three breakout groups (technical, business administration, and marketing) where fabricators will discuss top challenges in each area. Participants will then reconvene for a facilitated discussion to recap each topic group. All attendees are encouraged to participate by presenting a problem or sharing a solution. Bring your topics and we will provide the forum.

Quartzite is a beautiful building material. With that beauty comes unique fabrication and installation techniques. During the session, we will discuss the geology, fabrication, and installation practices that provide the best product application of this material. We will also review how to set expectations with customers to ensure successful installation and a happy client. Leave with a plan to maximize the value of quartzite to both your company and the customer.

The course is designed for any business owner in the stone industry who needs to know and understand the risks and exposures impacting today’s market. Topics discussed will include how to insure your property, why you need a risk transfer program, understanding workers compensation, and cyber liability Dos and Don'ts.

The Natural Stone Institute recently launched a new stone sourcing website for North American and global stones. Join us as we discuss the website features and how to effectively utilize the website to source stone. Learn what information is included on the site and how your quarry can be added. Create a plan to use this new resource when sourcing natural stone.

Natural stone has been the premier building material of choice throughout history thanks to its durability and timeless aesthetic. Inherently beautiful and versatile, it’s no wonder that manmade materials aim to replicate its attributes, appearance, and ultimately its desirability. This course will compare the versatility, performance characteristics, and green building considerations for both natural stone and manmade materials. Understanding these key points will prepare you with knowledge for design concepts, applications, and how to education consumers. Styles change from season to season, but mother nature creates unique designs in natural stone that are historically innovative and always on trend.

Tour the natural stone pavilion with CEO of the Natural Stone Institute, Jim Hieb. This pavilion is the fastest growing area on the exhibit floor. Gain Jim’s insights as he connects you with stone industry leaders from Brazil, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and North America.

What are you doing to find the next generation of stone professionals? Join us as we discuss finding and training employees for the next generation. During this session, we will discuss a recent Natural Stone Institute survey that reviewed workforce development. Learn how companies are working with vocational schools, building apprenticeship programs and seeking funds to build a long-term workforce development plan. Come away with a plan to build a strong workforce for the future.