Surfaces 2010: Preview

And, in anticipation of StonExpo / Marmomacc Americas’ concurrent run with Surfaces in January 2011, there’s plenty of attention to natural stone on the exhibition floor and a variety of presentations.

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Among Surface’s education opportunities for the stone industry are:

ISO 13007: Standards and Influence in North America at 3 p.m. on Feb. 1, addresses the international classification of adhesives and grout for stone and tile installation with Dr. Neil McMurdie of MAPEI Corp. The standards now move to the next level in identifying chemical makeupto improve the specific applications criteria and reduce inappropriate use.

Medium Bed Mortars: The Future of Adhesives for Large Format Tile on Feb. 2 at noon, offers a mini-session with MAPEI’s Mike Micalizzi on the material now being used for the majority of today’s large-format tile installations. New standards define when a medium bed mortar is specified for use; learn how existing requirements will change.

Designing with Tile on Feb. 2 at 4 p.m., with Lori Kirk-Rolley of Dal-Tile Corp., presents the latest design trends using natural stone, ceramic tile, metal and glass. The seminar shows how tile can contribute to traditional spots such as kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and family rooms – along with exciting new areas, such as exterior living spaces.

The Science of Sealing: What to Know, What to Use & Why, a Feb. 3 seminar at 4 p.m. with Rod Sigman of Aqua Mix, spotlights which sealers to use and when for optimum sealing performance, water-based vs. solvent-based and what sealers do and don’t do. Also, learn about VOC and regulatory concerns and the future impact on the industry.

Responding to Demand for Sustainability at 8 a.m. on Feb. 4 features Heather Gadonniex of MindClick SGM addressing the questions now coming from customers on green topics. Learn the definitions of corporate and product sustainability, and find your own framework and tactics to implement them into your company.

The All-Access Pass includes any combination of workshops, seminars and mini-sessions on all four days of Surfaces for $445. A multi-day pass for any educational sessions for two days is $349; a one-day all-you-can-attend workshop/seminar/mini-sessions pass is $209 for Feb 1 and Feb 3, and $150 for Feb. 2.

Ala carte prices are $110 for the Feb. 1 workshops, and $80 for any seminar. Mini-sessions are $65.

The Surfaces exhibit hall will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Feb. 2, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Feb. 3, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Feb. 4. Admission to the exhibits is $10 for World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) members, and $25 for non-members.

The official sponsor of Surfaces is the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), representing contractors and allied service providers throughout North America. The event’s producer is Hanley Wood Exhibitions.

Registration for Surfaces is by FAX and online only. For more information, go to www.surfaces.com.

STONE-RELATED EXHIBITORS
(Current as of Dec. 22, 2009)

American Slate Co.
American Tile and Marble Design
Bedrosians
Bellezza
Benissimo Systems / Surface Art
Beno J. Gundlach Co.
BNP Media
Bostik Inc.
Chemcore Industries
Custom Building Products
Dry-Treat Inc.
Emser Tile
FBR Mermer
Federal Marble Inc.
Fila Chemical USA Corp.
Gallos Marmoleria S.A.
Gemini Saw Co.
Genesis Marble Co.
Green Mountain Soapstone
Greenfield Import
Grout Boost
Harco Clear Finishes
Homax Products Inc.
Honor Life Medallions
Icon Stone Inc.
Imperial Wholesale Inc.
Intertile Natural Stone Surfaces
Kaldera Stone
Laser Products International Inc.
LATICRETE International Inc.
Logix Stone LLC
M K Diamond
M S International Inc.
MAPEI
Marble Institute of America
Medimer Marble and Granite
Mer-Krete Systems
Miracle Sealants Co.
MR Direct International
Noble Co.
Pacific Wholesale Tile and Stone
Pearl Abrasive
Protecto Wrap Co.
R & S Marble
Raimondi Tools USA
Sawmaster Diamond Tools
Schluter Systems L.P.
SGM Inc.
Siena Tile and Stone Products
SIT Marble
Starquartz Industries Inc.
Stone Business
Stone Care International
Stonexchange
Stovers
Terra Bella Marble Inc.
VerMeister SRL
VIC International Corp.
Vytek
Waterlox Coatings
World Wide Stone Corp.
Zhong Yuan Art Stone