The StonExpo/Marmomac pavilion at The 2020 International Surface Event is featured

Natural stone at TISE 2020

8 V eronafiere, the organising company behind Marmomac, began 2020 with StonExpo Marmomac, the event for stone sector professionals at TISE which was held in late January at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA).

The Marmomac Pavillion featured a group show involving 36 companies from nine countries. It provided an overview of the natural stone industry, from materials to accessories, equipment and services. There was also an area dedicated to training for architects designed to promote the culture of natural stone. As part of the pavillion, Marmomac Academy hosted “Designing with Natural Stone”, an educational project for interior designers and architects. There was also a presentation called “Stone, Water and Light”, an off-site tour of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts pavilion guided by Vincent Marazita from Stone Trends International, a stone industry consulting firm based in California. The United States confirmed its status as the leading market for Italian natural stone exporters The International Surface Event (TISE) saw the Marmomac pavillion host 36 companies from Italy, Portugal, India, Germany, Morocco, Croatia, Bulgaria, the United States and Turkey Overall attendance was up 3% from last year’s show, according to organisers

stone materials, with a total value coming to 62.31 million euros.

The companies taking part in the Marmomac Pavilion included Achilli Srl (Italy), Airelimestones (Portugal), Aniet (Portugal), Bellinzoni (Italy), Cel Components (Italy), D2 Technology (Portugal), Ddx Software Solutions (Italy), Di Novoselec – Florian (Croatia), Diatex SpA (Italy), Domos Srl (Italy), Drvoproizvod (Croatia), Ferrari & Cigarini (Italy), Hartek – Hrk Diamond Tools (Turkey), Italmecc for the first half of 2019, when the value of export sales came to 185.5 million euros, according to the latest available data from Confindustria Marmomacchine.

Processed and semi-finished materials were the driving force behind exports, for an overall value of 179.79 million euros. Exports of unhewn Italian stone materials increased to 5.74 million euros.

The United States also ranks first for exports of Italian machinery and equipment for processing decorative

Tools for Stone Processing

(Italy), Ken Stones (Morocco), La Ponte Marmi Srl (Italy), Mstone Stone & Tile (India/USA), Marmoelettromeccanica (Italy), Marmoguia (Portugal), Matec (Italy), Mvc (Portugal), O.M.G.M (Italy), Pan Parket (Croatia), Pardais Granites (Portugal) Pedrini (Italy), Porfido Trentino – Cave Cugini Pisetta (Italy), Pps Majur – Galeković (Croatia), Quartzforms (Germany), Rayon Stone (Morocco), Spa va (Croatia), Steinex Srl (Italy), Stoa Group (Bulgaria), Taglio Software House (Italy), Tyrolit Vincent Srl (Italy), Transgranitos (Portugal) and Zalfo Machines (USA).

New initiatives The Tech Hub had a great launch at TISE 2020, and at next year’s show, it will be prominently placed on the main aisle of the show floor.

The quartet of interior vignettes created at the Style Hub at The DISH – a new three-stage show feature – offered attendees a first look at the latest colours, textures, and surface trends for 2020 and beyond with materials featured by Shaw Floors, Anderson Tuftex, CoreTec, and Iris US. To the delight of the showgoers, according to the show’s organisers, The Natural Stone Institute’s Women in Stone group participated in the Amazing Race – an interactive journey through the Natural Stone Pavillion. Participants grouped into teams and encountered challenges, learned

The Marmomac Pavillion at TISE 2020 featured a group show involving 36 companies from nine countries

natural stone trivia, and networked. Vendors and exhibitors were ready with clues about resources and new products, and what makes them special in this evolving industry. Along their journey, the women also had to navigate a few roadblocks. It was a fun new way for participants to engage in education and networking.

The National Installer of the Year Competition had its second stellar year and proved to be a major draw to attendees, who kept returning to the competition site to watch the competitors’ progress over the days of the event. The winners’ ceremony on the show’s final day drew a great supportive crowd.

Recapping TISE 2020, show director Dana Hicks said: “The show floor was

Beautiful Stone for Fabrication

The Stone Fabricators Alliance was present at TISE 2020. It holds numerous workshops annually, hosted by member companies, available free of charge to its members.

Stone slabs seen at TISE 2020

busy, busy, busy, all three days of the event. Everyone we spoke to, from the exhibitors and associations to the attendees, were all amazed at the amount of people, the quality of the connections, the products they were discovering, the education offerings – just an incredible event that brought the whole industry together once again!”

Overall attendance was up 3% over TISE 2019, and it was clear on the show floor and to all those in attendance that the industry was there in full force and eager to find the resources for the new year.

The sales office on the show floor was packed daily with exhibitors, and organisers said 80% of next year’s space has been sold, with some returnees booking larger spaces. In addition, companies not currently exhibiting for TISE 2020 came to the sales office and inquired about booking for the following year ... a testament to the strength in attendance and the positive experience they gleaned from the show floor.

TISE 2021 will be held again at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Education sessions will take place from Jan. 25 to 28, and the exhibits will be open Jan. 26 to 28. n The new Tech Hub had a successful launch at TISE 2020. It will be prominently placed on the main aisle of the show floor at next year’s event.

Contact CDK Stone on how we can help your business: www.cdkstone.com.au 1300 522 108