The Marble Institute of America (MIA) hosted its first Accreditation Program Immersion Course during Coverings.

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) hosted its first Accreditation Program Immersion Course during Coverings.

According to MIA, this one day course was designed to give companies interested in accreditation the opportunity to learn about the application, participate in a review of the exam material and to take the accreditation exam. The program background information and exam material review were conducted in the morning, while the 5 hour, open book exam was administered in the afternoon.

Rodney Harvey of Curtain Wall Design in Dallas, chair of the MIA Accreditation Commission, facilitated the program. “I was impressed by the level of interest and passion for the stone industry shown by the Accreditation Immersion participants at Coverings 2014. As a member of the group who worked diligently to develop the program these candidates exemplified the stated purpose of the MIA Accreditation program: ‘To provide excellence in the natural stone industry and recognize companies demonstrating compliance with quality standards, so that the public values, has access to, and benefits from consistent, competent and safe fabrication, installation and maintenance of natural stone.’ The feedback from the candidates was extremely valuable, we (MIA Accreditation Commission) learned from the event and plan to apply the knowledge gained to the betterment of the program,” said Harvey.

“The accreditation immersion course was a great way for fabricators and commercial contractors to prepare for and take the test. We also got great feedback from the attendees that will make future immersion courses stronger,” said MIA board of director, Jon Lancto (Surface Products, Cornelius, N.C.)

The MIA currently has plans to conduct similar courses at StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas East in Miami  this October, StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas West in Las Vegas in January 2015 and upcoming other sites.

For more information, visit marble-institute.com.