New Trade Group: Global View for Stone’s 21st Century (June 15)
Bob Akers, one of our partners in the Hudson Economics Group, has commented a number of times about the harm done to the industry, globally, by not having an international body to represent the industry’s biggest concerns: the distributor, the retailer and the consumer. Those three groups are the key to a successful industry worldwide.
As a result, the Hudson Economics Group will support the creation of the International Stone and Tile Federation. Bob, who is taking charge of this group, is planning an event in Miami this October.
Bob has invited some very capable international lawyers, who practice in trade policies, from the United States; a lawyer and consultant who specializes in international trade and issues, as well as writing a book and numerous papers, from Brazil; and Alfonso Panzani, the president of the European Ceramic Manufacturers’ Federation, from Italy.
This meeting is being held at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami on Oct. 19-21. The meeting is an opportunity for the people in this industry, who have the vision to move the stone and tile industry into the 21st Century. The meeting will involve a number of sessions to listen to attendees, provide expert answers to the attendee’s questions, and create an Action Plan to move the members goals forward.
Success in this industry, in these trying economic times, is challenging. I support Bob’s efforts and his ability to coalesce this group into an action organization to make the industry stronger and more responsive to everyone’s needs – again, for the distributors, the retailers and the consumers.
It’s going to be a tough, but necessary, task. I encourage you to go to the Miami meeting, ask your questions, listen to the answers … and think about how we can not only survive today, but prosper for future generations.
Attendees at this meeting are the people who understand that the old, accepted ways of doing business are not good enough in the 21st century. It is time to commit to the effort of thinking about where the industry is, and where the industry is destined to go in the future.
The new International Stone and Tile Federation is a professional organization, where the many state and local organizations may come together and work towards objectives where everybody benefits. I would urge all who read this, to consider the Miami event, listen to people from around the world share their concerns and look for answers everyone’s needs: from the original producer, the distributor, the retailer and the consumer.
I look forward to seeing you in Miami.
Lloyd G. Henry is director of the Hudson Economic Group Ltd. For more information, contact the International Stone and Tile Federation at 303-459-2296, or www.isatf.org.