Destination: Vitória 2007

VITÓRIA, Brazil – The 2007 edition of the International Marble and Granite Fair, scheduled here for Feb. 6-9, will open with a record amount of exhibitors – and a strong contingent of attendees from the United States.
The event, at the Parque De Exposições De Carapina complex, will feature 420 companies – an increase of 10 percent from the 2006 show.
The Vitória Stone Fair, the largest event for dimensional stone in Latin America, will occupy an indoor area of approximately 25,000 m² (269,097 ft²) in five air-conditioned pavilions, with an additional 10,000 m² (107,639 ft²) of outdoor exhibits.
The participation of non-Brazilian companies this year marks a significant increase – 50 percent – from the 2006 event. The fair will host exhibitors, as in previous years, from Italy, China, Egypt, United States, Portugal and Turkey; vendors will also hail from first-time countries such as Germany and the Czech Republic.
The increase on the participation of international companies is partially due to the marketing and commercialization strategy used by event organizers Milanez & Milaneze this year, including exhibits for Vitória Stone at Coverings, StonExpo and the giant Marmomacc event in Verona, Italy.
Brazil’s increasing influence in the world stone market is also drawing foreign exhibitors and attendees. Brazilian stone exports from January-September last year totaled $781.5 million, which equals the amount for all of 2005. The ornamental stone sector may end the year with about $1 billion in stone exports.
And, according to the data from Brazil’s CENTRO – Center of the Ornamental Stone Exporter Industries – the state of Espírito Santo (which includes the city of Vitória) contributes approximately 56 percent of the total tonnage of stone exported by the country.
Brazil’s growth in exports – and world stature in the stone market – is reflected in the event’s attendance, which grew from 19,100 in 2003 to 31,202 last year. The attendee numbers for this year are expected to set a new record, including an important segment from the United States with close to 3,000 attendees – the largest group from outside Brazil.
Besides international visitors, the fair is also attracting attendees from the other main stone-producer and -exporter states in the Brazil. And, companies from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Pernambuco, Goiás, Ceará, Bahia and others will exhibit at the event.
At the event, the attendees will be able to find the latest for the dimensional-stone trade, from new types of stones; machinery, equipment and tooling; and other important items for industry development.
For more information, contact Milanez and Milaneze at +55-27-3337-6855; or go online to www.feiradomarmore.com.br or milaneze@milanezmilaneze.com.br