MIA Leadership W’shop Oct. 18-19
The all-day educational session on Oct. 19 will offer at least 15 practical, proven ideas to generate new business, improve efficiency and prepare for the future; the event will also offer direct, personal contact with the industry’s top stone executives and must-have knowledge on critical topics to connect with members of the architecture and design community.
“This workshop is a great venue to discuss strategic and visionary planning for the stone industry,” said Brett Rugo, 2010 MIA president.
“This gathering for senior-level stone industry executives is timely as stone companies look to rebound and thrive in today’s economy,” said Gary Distelhorst, MIA executive vice president. “This year’s topics are timely for any stone-company leadership team.”
Topics on Oct. 19 include:
Positioning Natural Stone as an Environmentally Preferred Building Material with Stephanie Vierra, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, and president of Vierra Design & Education Services in Gaithersburg, Md. She’ll offer a close look at how the industry is working to prove that natural stone is sustainable, drawing upon her own body of research and study. Vierra will also report on the current status of the industry’s work through the Natural Stone Council on the development of standards and certification.
Natural Stone and the Economic Recovery with Frank Anton, CEO of Hanley Wood LLC in Washington. He’ll offer a vantage point through Hanley Wood, which serves the construction industry in a wide variety of media (including trade and professional magazines), economic/trend research and trade shows (including the American Institute of Architects and StonExpo).
Leading the Design, Development and Launch of a Unique Style Minder Brand in the Highly Traditional Stone Industry with Mark Fernandes, CLO with Luck Stone in Richmond, Va., He’ll share his perspectives in leading the design, development and launch of a unique style-minded brand (Charles Luck Stone Centers) in the highly traditional stone industry, describing the journey and the process. Fernandes will also address how to differentiate your company from others in the industry by seeking inspiration from best in class brands from the art, fashion, retailing, hospitality and design industries.