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Hi, I’m K. Schipper with the latest in hard surfaces industry news from Radio Stone Update.
00:30
There’s still a lot of 2023 to live through, but it’s not too early to be thinking ahead to 2024. Throw in a trip to Las Vegas, and it’s easy to see why it isn’t too soon to register for the International Surface Event – TISE – 2024, which is scheduled for Jan. 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
The event, which includes SURFACES, StonExpo, and TileExpo, features a wide range of educational and networking opportunities for the industry, as well as an expansive exhibit hall. Amie Gilmore, TISE show director, says, “The TISE 2024 event is packed with unique content, creative feature ideas and space requests for new product introductions to exhibit. All of this will create an exciting new event experience.”
Also new next year is TISE’s scheduling. The event moves to a Wednesday through Friday format. To help navigate the event, TISE is offering online Storybooks for the different business classifications who typically attend, from architects to quarriers. Find your unique storybook online to get an early look at the event’s top picks and highlights for each business classification.
The storybooks also include a 20 percent-off discount code, good for a 2024 exhibit pass and seminars. A new line-up of special education experiences rounds out the 2024 event, with PULSE Seminars, training and certification, exhibit hall demos, panel discussions, a new set of Favorite Finds product tours, lounges, wellness programs, networking opportunities and more. Many have limited capacity and are booked on a first-come, first-served registration.
Attendee passes for the exhibits are $95 though Dec. 8, $120 through Jan. 19, and $145 at the door. The pass includes admission to the Stone Fabricators Alliance roundtable, which will take place Jan. 25 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. A variety of educational sessions are available for $65 each through Dec. 8, $85 though Jan. 19, and $110 each at the event. Some may be sold out by the time TISE opens its doors.
The International Surface Event or TISE, including SURFACES, StonExpo and TileExpo, has served nearly 30 years as an industry marketplace for floor covering, stone and tile businesses to come together, seek products and services, build relationships and develop business. To register, go to www.intlsurfaceevent.com/register
3:23
More than 125 of its fabricator customers traveled to St. Cloud, Minn., Oct. 4 to help Park Industries® celebrate the CNC manufacturer’s 70th anniversary at the company’s headquarters. Dubbed ParkFest, the event also drew 45 vendor partner guests for a celebration that included education events, shop and factory tours, and new machinery reveals.
Designed to reflect the company’s commitment to innovation, education and community building, ParkFest was the first event of its kind for the company. Scott Christman, Park’s director of product and growth, says, “This event was about more than just showcasing our products; it was about connection with the heart of our industry, our partners and our customers.”
For many, the most exciting part of the event was the new machine reveals. Park introduced four new machine solutions, including the JAVELN™, a CNC sawjet; the TITAN® 4000 series featuring the TITAN® 4700 and TITAN® 4800 CNC routers, and the HydroClear™ PRO 400, a high-production addition to the HydroClear™ PRO water-recycling-system line.
Other highlights included Park’s Digital Stoneworking Expo™, three fabricator shop tours, an exclusive tour of the Coldspring quarry, and tours of Park’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The event concluded with an evening barbecue.
6:03
Among the countries exhibiting at this year’s Marmomac show last month in Verona, Italy, Brazil showcased its ornamental natural-stone industry with a record number of companies and an award-winning presence.
The Brazilian Pavilion boasted a record number of exhibitors with the products of 43 different companies on display. And that display attracted visitors from various countries with a unified design that allowed easy identification of each exhibiting company. The presentation was organized by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency known as ApexBrasil, with support from “It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone” and the Brazilian Center of Ornamental Stones Exporters, Centrorochas.
Brazil also presented “Herbarium Mirabile,” an exclusive exhibition curated by Italian designer Raffaello Galiotto, featuring five sculptures carved from Brazilian stones among the 27 pieces. Galiotto chose the materials after visiting Brazil as the guest of “It’s Natural,” Centrorochas, and ApexBrasil this past February.
Brazil also shone in the “A Matter of Stone” award. Capixaba-based company Pettrus took honorable mention in recognition of its exceptional commitment to sustainability. At the same ceremony, Flavia Milaneze, CEO of Milanez and Milaneze, the producer of Vitoria Stone Fair and Cachoeiro Stone Fair, was honored with the title Le Donne del Marmo, or the Women of Marble.
“The Unique World of Brazilian Natural Stones” offers insights through a presentation detailing the diversity of Brazilian stone. The country is the fourth-largest producer and fifth-largest exporter of ornamental stones in the world. “It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone,” is a promotional program developed by the Brazilian Center for Ornamental Stone Exporters – Centrorochas – in partnership with ApexBrasil.
8:09
If you’re already thinking about end-of-year chores, don’t forget that the deadline to submit entries for both the 2024 Coverings Installation and Design – or CID – Awards and the 2024 Coverings Rock Stars Awards is Dec. 20.
The CID Awards are open to architects, designers, builders, contractors, distributors, retailers, installers and other professionals who demonstrate design and/or installation excellence in residential and commercial projects that showcase ceramic tile and/or natural stone. There is no cost to enter, but entries must be submitted by midnight on Dec. 20.
Projects will be judged separately on tile and stone installation and design. Projects will be judged on their levels of creativity, craftsmanship, use of materials and achievement in the use of tile or stone. Winners will be displayed onsite at Coverings 2024, and winners will receive a one-night stay or equivalent gift card at Coverings 2024, as well as recognition at the CID Awards reception during the show.
Residential Categories include: Ceramic Tile Installation, Ceramic Tile Design, Stone Installation and Stone Design. Commercial Categories include: Ceramic Tile Installation, Ceramic Tile Design, Stone Installation, and Stone Design.
The Covering Rock Stars – to recognize emerging leaders — honors the best and brightest young talent in the tile and stone industries. Over the past 10 years, the program has recognized dozens of young leaders who have connected at Coverings through mentorship and networking opportunities. Rock Stars will receive a $200 gift card to spend at Coverings and recognition at the Rock Star Awards and 10-Year Anniversary Celebration during the conference.
Nominees must be no older than 35, and employed in one of the following professions: architect, designer, distributor, retailer, contractor/installer, fabricator, specifier, trade association or manufacturer. The deadline to nominate those people is also Dec. 20, but by 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Coverings 2024 will be held in Atlanta April 22-25. For more information, go to www.coverings.com
In other industry news….
10:45
The Natural Stone Institute has provided natural stone and fabrication services for two more homes through the Gary Sinise Foundation and its Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment – or R.I.S.E. program. The R.I.S.E. program builds 100 percent mortgage-free specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders.
Natural stone and fabrication services for U.S. Army Sergeant Shane Parsons were provided by Mont Surfaces and Cutting Edge Countertops. Parsons was the lead driver for a mission in Iraq in 2006 when an improvised explosive device, or IED, detonated under the vehicle, causing him to lose both legs above the knee. As he was being airlifted out, Parsons went into cardiac arrest three times, resulting in a traumatic brain injury, as well. Although still suffering from long-term impacts, including memory loss and post-traumatic stress, Parsons has married, and he and his wife have a son. He is hoping to find a part-time job and help coach high school football.
Natural stone and fabrication services for U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Ian Prescott were provided by Triton Stone Group and Artistic Stone Works. Joining the army in 2006, Prescott deployed ten times to various locations including both Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2018, while on a patrol in Afghanistan, Prescott was shot by enemy forces, suffering severe internal injuries, as well as shattering his L1 and L2 vertebrae and leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Recovered, he is enjoying outdoor activities and planning to work toward a scuba license in the future.
Natural Stone Institute members have now contributed to 51 completed homes through R.I.S.E. companies interested in getting involved with future projects are encouraged to email rise@naturalstoneinstitute.org.
12:51
IPS Adhesives – IPSA – has entered into a new collaboration with surfaces distributor Doyle Farris to distribute Ninja Adhesives to surfacing fabricators in North America. The new partnership will streamline distribution and offer two-day lead times on Ninja Glue to fabricators across the United States and will also enhance Ninja Glue availability to customers through large market distribution.
The Mesquite, Texas-based Doyle Farris has also announced it will serve as the official distributor for LOTTE Staron® solid surface products across the United States. The agreement is expected to result I accelerated lead times, enhancing the accessibility of Staron products for customers.
13:39
And Euro Tile & Stone has opened a new showroom and distribution center in the heat of Toronto’s Design District. The new 45,000 ft2 facility includes work areas and plenty of displayed products for designers, architects, builders, and contractors, as well as homeowners.
The original space was completely gutted and underwent an intense transformation that includes an open-concept showroom, and private client rooms with large worktables for laying out samples and plans. The showroom also includes a full working kitchen designed using one of the brand’s porcelain slabs and an outdoor section highlighting porcelain paver products. Euro Tile & Stone was founded in 1987 and is based in Ottawa.
14:30
Remember, our online newsletter, Slab & Sheet, is published on alternate Wednesdays. For a transcript of this broadcast, go to www.radiostoneupdate.com. For Radio Stone Update, I’m K. Schipper and we’ll see you here again soon.
