The third quarter of 2015 saw Italian natural stone products continuing to grow in the U.S. market. 
 
Confirmed by the latest National Institute for Statistics export data analysed by the Marmomacc Observatory, from January to September, exports to the U.S. of hewn, shaped and finished natural stones posted a turnover of 336 million euros, up by 29.4% over the same period last year. The leap forward for Made in Italy marble and granite also involves the rest of the North American continent that saw an overall increase of 25.2% of natural stone products processed in Italy. 
 
This positive result comes during the opening day of TISE (The International Surface Event)—the key show in North America for natural stone, surfaces, coatings and industrial ceramics set in motion following the merger of three shows: StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, Surfaces and Tile Expo, taking place Jan. 20-22 in Las Vegas.
 
Veronafiere plays a leading role in this event, as the organizer—in partnership with Informa Group—of StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, the event inside TISE dedicated to natural stone. According to the company, VeronaFiere, in fact, thanks to Marmomacc holds world leadership among events in this sector.
 
Las Vegas will welcome 25 companies taking part in the group exhibition hosted in the Veronafiere International Pavilion measuring more than 900 square meters, are travelling from Italy, India, Portugal, Turkey, France and San Marino. These exhibitors are attending StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas and, for the first time, Surfaces. Over and above a selection of stone materials, these companies will also display machinery and processing technologies, diamond tools for cutting, processing and polishing marble, without forgetting specific care products for stone surfaces. 
 
At TISE, in addition to b2b meetings, Veronafiere—through the Marmomacc Stone Academy—will also ensure a strong focus on vocational training (with training credits) for sector professionals. Architect Day, scheduled Jan. 20, is a one-day event with workshops, seminars and a walking tour specifically for architects and designers. 
 
Jan. 21 comprises initiatives targeting interior designers and distributors. The same day also welcomes a prize-giving ceremony for the Great Pinnacle Award, recognition that Veronafiere will present to the architectural studio belonging to MIA (Marble Institute of America) which in 2015 created the best project highlighting the use of natural stone. The winner this year is Walker Zanger, with the Park Hyatt Hotel in New York. 
 
For more information, visit veronafiere.it.