StonExpo 2006: Raising The Stakes

   Set for Nov. 8-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the annual event should outpace last year’s lively show, if exhibit-space sales are any indication.
   “The requests for exhibit space are overwhelming this year,” says Michelle Troop, StonExpo senior show director. “With the kind of response we are seeing, the industry is going to have one of its biggest and best events on record.”
   The show floor will be the main destination for most attendees, and trade exhibits will be open from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Nov 9-10, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Nov. 11.
   StonExpo 2006 will also feature comprehensive education, with pre-show workshops taking place on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Seminars are scheduled for Nov 9-11 from 7:45-9 a.m. and 9:15-10:30 a.m., giving attendees ample time to take in several educational sessions and not miss a minute of the exhibition.
   There’s more on the floor this year, with Stone LIVE! at Booth 2556 offering tips and techniques on installations. The real-time demos include give-and-take with the audience, and are free to all attendees.
   On Nov. 9, sessions will include Countertop Installation at 11:30 a.m. by Radtke Tile and Marble Inc.; Decorative Floor Installation-Large Mosaic Medallions from Malibu Art at 1:30 p.m.; and Facts On Sealing Natural Stone Floors & More from StoneTech Professional at 3:30 p.m.
   The live demos continue on Nov. 10 with a reprise of Facts On Sealing Natural Stone Floors & More at 11:30 a.m.; and Top Polishing/Scratch Removal at 1:30 p.m. and Chip Repair/Setting Seams at 3:30 pm., both from the Stone Fabricators Alliance.
   Finally, on Nov. 11, the International Masonry Institute presents Countertop Installation at 11:30, followed by another session of Decorative Floor Installation – Large Mosaic Medallions at 1:30 p.m.
   The international feel of StonExpo should be heightened this year, as the Vitória Stone Fair (the International Exhibition of Ornamental Stones and Technology) joins the U.S. show as an official endorser.
     “This new partnership established between Vitória Stone Fair and StonExpo will certainly bring great benefits to the ornamental stone sector,” says Cecilia Milanez Milaneze, owner of Milanez & Milaneze – Vitória Stone Fair. “It will promote and increase the commercialization of Brazilian ornamental stone. Through this agreement, the Brazilian exhibitors will have easier access to participate in this well-known and professional event.”
   The Vitoria Stone Fair lines up with Marmomacc, the Verona, Italy-based world stone trade event produced by Veronafiere, as official endorsers of StonExpo 2006.
   The Marble Institute of America (MIA) will also once again host its Member Gala Reception and Awards Luncheon during StonExpo 2006. The reception is set for Nov. 9 from 5:30-7 p.m., with the luncheon – announcing the Pinnacle project and Rocky advertising honors — on Nov. 10 from 12:15 p.m.-2 p.m. MIA members receive discounted pricing on conference packages and MIA events.
   There’s also the free Welcome Reception for all StonExpo attendees, with beer and snacks available on the show floor from 4-5:30 p.m. on Nov. 10.
   StonExpo’s official sponsors are the MIA and the Natural Stone Council (NSC). The NSC includes the American Monument Association, Canadian Stone Association, Elberton Granite Association, National Building Granite Quarries Association and Northwest Granite Manufacturers Association.
   Online registration for the event – including educational seminars and workshops – is still available at www.stonexpo.com. Badges and other admission items will be available for pickup on-site in Las Vegas.
   For more information on the show, call 866-550-6808, or visit www.stonexpo.com.

Exhibitors confirmed for StonExpo 2006, as of Sept. 13, 2006:

A-B

A.Z. Abrasives & Tools Inc.
Abrasive Technology
Advanced Diamond Technologies Inc.
AGM Machinery
Akemi North America Inc.
Alar Engineering Corp.
Alpha Professional Tools
Amer International Corp.
American Equipment Finance LLC
American Metal Fibers Inc.
Ancor Granite Tile Inc.
Appalachian Stone
Applied Diamond Tools
Aqua Mix Inc.
Aqua Pro Systems
Archer Company USA Inc.
Architectural Granite & Marble Inc.
Artisan Manufacturing Corp.
Assomarmomacchine
Atlantis Industry
Auto "V" Grooving Inc.
AWED Corp.
F. Barkow Inc.
Barranca Diamond
Barton Mines Company LLC
BASINK
Bavelloni USA Inc.
Beckart Environmental Inc.
Blick Industries
Boart Longyear Co.
Bonstone Materials Corp.
Boss Products
Bottero Inc.
Braxton Bragg Corp.
Brazil Trading Co.
Breton SpA
BVH Gregg Inc.

C-D

C.R. Laurence Company Inc.
Cantera Especial Inc.
Carter Products
Cee-Jay Tool Company Inc.
Cemar Electro
Chemcore Industries Inc.
Chemical Concepts
China (Fuzhou) Splendid Stone Company Ltd.
Chungwoo Co. Ltd.
CMS / Brembana
Coch S.A.
Cold Spring Granite Co.
Concord Industrial Products Inc.
Consolidated Diamond
Crystallyne Enterprises
Curtain Wall Design & Consulting Inc.
The Cutting Edge of Diamond Blades Inc.
Daigh Company Inc.
Dakota Granite Co.
Delta Diamond Tools
Dia Art Inc.
Diamant Boart Stone
Diamante Applicazioni E Tecnologia
Diamond Productions Canada Ltd.
Diatop Sama Co.
Diazet Co.
DITEQ Diamond Tools & Equipment
Dongsin Diaflx North America
Door County Custom Stone Inc.
Double Summit
Dry-Treat Pty Ltd.

E-F

East West Stone
Eastern Marble & Granite Supply
Eclipse Distribution LLC
ECS Eich GmbH
Edgemarc Tools
Edgemate Stone Tools LLC
Elberton Granite Association Inc.
Etched By Design
ETemplate Systems
Eurostone/Pyramid
Executive Stone Trading
Fabricator's Choice LLC
Fantini SUD SPA
Faro Technologies Inc.
FBR Marble Inc.
Fila Chemicals USA
Flow Go Systems Inc.
Flow International
Forza Corp.
Fratelli Poggi SpA

G-H

Ghines S.R.L.
Glaze 'N Seal
Global E-Sourcing Inc.
Global Granite & Marble
Granicor
Granite City Tool
Granite Direct Inc.
GraniteStock.com
Granitos Do Brasil
GranQuartz
Groves Inc.
Hard Rock Tool
Healthy Bacs
Heka Product
Hi Style Metal Design
Hiab Inc. (formerly Cargotec)
High Tech Stone Inc.
HK International
Homeowners Marketing Services
House of Stone Inc.
HR Stone

I-L

I-CA Enterprises, Inc.
IGE Solutions Inc.
Il Giornale Di Carrara
IMER USA Inc.
IMS SAS Di Apra' Alberto
Indiana Limestone Co.
Indiana Limestone Institute
Infinity Diamond Products Inc.
Inland Diamond Products
Innovative Stone Technologies
Integra Adhesives Inc.
International Machine Corp.
International Masonry Institute
Intertool
IPT Sink Co.
ITALDIAMANT USA INC.
Italian Trade Commission
J.M.R. Industrial
Jerusalem Gold Marble
Jinsan Diamond
The Jordon Glass Corp.
Kaeser Compressors Inc.
KHK Diamond Products Inc.
Komo Machine Inc.
Koser Enterprises Inc.
La Ponte Marmi SRL
Lacey-Harmer Co.
A. Lacroix et Fils Granit Ltee
Laser Products Industries Inc.
Liguria International
Lionheart Publishing
Löffler Maschinenbau GmbH
LVL – La Vera Lavagna

M-N

Magellan Capital Group Inc.
Majestic Stone Import
Marble & Granite Service SRL
Marble Institute o f America
Margranite Industry
Marmo Machinery USA
MARMOMACCHINE MAGAZINES – Promorama Srl
Mastercraft Industries Inc. / ONFLOOR Technologies LLC
Matrix Stone Products
Meshoppen Stone Inc.
Micon Products Ltd.
Midas Stone Machinery
Milaneze & Milaneze
Milspec Industries
Miracle Sealants Co.
Mirart Inc.
Monument Toolworks Inc.
Moraware Inc.
MR Direct Int.
National Abrasives
Natural Stone Council
Natural Stone Restoration Alliance
NCO Financial Systems Inc.
NED Corp.
Nelson Wood Shims
NEMI
New Mexico Travertine Inc.
Newlita LLC
Noble Co.
Northwood Stoneworks
Novatek Corp.

O-R

Ocean Diamond Tools Corp.
Odorizzi Porfidi SPA
Officine Marchetti SPA
OHM International Inc
Omax Corporation
One Source Capital Inc.
Ontario Canada / Ministry of Northern Development
Pacific Oasis Enterprise Inc.
Pacific Shore Stones
Park Industries
Partnership
Pearl Abrasive Co.
Perry Mfg. Inc.
Photo Shop
Pinnacle Software
Plastic Associates Manufacturing
Precision Works Products
Premium Tile Distributors
Prima Marble
Primax Diamond Tools Inc.
Quail Leasing Corp.
Regent Stone Products Inc.
Restoration Solutions
Right Manufacturing Systems Inc.
Rock of Ages Corp.
Rock Tools Inc.
Rock-Finder LLC
Rolling Rock Building Stone Inc.
Rowan Granite Quarry Inc. / Rowan Stone
Rubber Mold Co.
Rugby IPD

S-T

Salem Stone
SAS of Luxemburg Ltd.
Sawing Systems Inc.
SEIS Group
Sierra Tool & Abrasive Inc.
SM Diamond Tools Inc.
Smooth-On Inc.
Sommer & Maca
Sterling Capital
Stone Boss Industries
Stone Business
Stone Care Central.com
Stone Care International
Stone Connection Inc.
Stone Emporium Inc.
Stone Fabricators Alliance
Stone Industry News
Stone Interiors L.L.C. dba B.M.S. & Co.
Stone Pro Equipment
Stone Tool Supply Inc.
Stone World
StonePro
Stone-Sales LLC
StoneTech Professional Inc.
Sun Diamond Technologies
Superabrasive Inc.
Superior Stone Products Inc.
Sure-Guide Inc.
Surface Fabrication
Technotiles SPA – Lucedi Garrara
Tekon Universal Sciences
Tenax USA / Tenax SPA
Texas Quarries
TexaStone Quarries
Tile and Stone Blue Book
Tile Eze
Triple Crown Products
Trow and Holden Company Inc.
Tyrolit Vincent S.R.L.

U-Z

Unit Load Handling Systems Inc.
Uni-Tile & Marble Inc.
Universal Laser Systems Inc.
US Granite Machinery Inc.
Vapor Lux
Verona Marble
Verona Marmomacc
Vetter Stone
VIC International Corp.
Vytek
W.F. Meyers Co. Inc.
Walker Zanger
Water Treatment Technologies
Waterjet S.R.L.
Windy Ridge Corp.
Wood's Powr – Grip Co. Inc.
World Wide Stone Corp.
Ziatek Inc.

This article first appeared in the October 2006 edition of Stone Business. ©2006 Western Business Media Inc.