StonExpo Education Strengthens Support

CLEVELAND – The Cornerstone Forums – the educational part of the annual StonExpo tradeshow and conference – feature new sessions and program improvements for the 2003 edition.
The program, offered at StonExpo 2003 in Atlanta on Dec. 4-6, include 28 sessions covering a variety of topics for stone fabricators and installers as well as a half-day session for architects and design professionals. Topics focus on an array of subjects related to materials and specific applications. Highlights of the forums, based at StonExpo’s exhibition site of the Georgia World Congress Center, include:
• Stone Tour of Atlanta – A pre-show, three-hour bus tour of some of Atlanta’s finest examples of natural stone in architecture and construction, including the Georgia State Capitol and the new Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank.
• Fabricators Forums – Two separate sessions featuring lively discussions among stone professionals about practical aspects of residential construction and commercial fabrication and construction.
• Countertops Part 1 and 2 – Expanded from last year’s event, these sessions explore one of the most active applications in the industry. Part 1 covers pre-fabrication issues, including materials sourcing and selection, presales, pricing, sales, marketing and templating. Part 2 is devoted to fabrication, transport, installation and follow-up. To satisfy attendee demand, both parts will be offered on two separate days of the conference.
• Put a Bit of Science in Your Business: Understanding the Elements of Stone – Back by popular demand, geologist Claude Rust will present his hands-on seminar. Participants will receive mineralogical kits with samples, a loupe and testing materials, and discover how to identify common minerals found in almost all stones.
• Expanded Learning Unit Credits for Architects and Designers – Architects and designers seeking information about dimensional stone and related topics can satisfy a major portion of their annual Learning Unit requirements at StonExpo. More than 15 Learning Unit credits will be attainable, and all registered seminars will qualify for HSW credit.
• Non-conflicting Conference Schedule – This year’s event will minimize time conflicts with exhibit-hall hours, so attendees have more time to view the trade show.
The Cornerstone Forums are offered by the Marble Institute of America.