With the recent wrap up of the 2012 show, the planning of Surfaces | StonExpo/ Marmomacc Americas 2013 is already in full swing with the issue of Call for Presentations to all educators, consultants and experts who want to share their knowledge and business expertise as presenters for the education program.                  

Taking place January 28-31, 2013, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the education program presents the latest topics and trends in the floor covering and natural stone industries designed to help attendees increase their bottom line and expand their technical knowledge.

Speakers with proven, dynamic presentation skills and in-depth knowledge are essential in building an unparalleled program which consists of 3-hour workshops, 90-minute seminars and 60-minute mini sessions. The course material should contain timely, practical information that can be immediately implemented in the workplace.

“Our education program assists and teaches professionals to find solutions, increase motivation and achieve continued success by raising the bar on their own personal and professional knowledge development,” said Jennifer Hughes, Conference Manager, Surfaces | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas. “We foster that dedication to education by partnering with some of the most respected leaders in the industry who have the most relevant and timely information to share with our attendees.”  

Topic submissions should focus on applications-oriented, real world, problem-solving topics and be free of promotional materials to sell a product or service. The primary audience of the education program includes residential and commercial retailers, installers, designers, architects, and fabricators as well as other industry professionals.

The deadline for submitting Call for Presentations proposals is Monday, March 5, 2012. Proposals should follow the specifications outlined in the Call for Presentations form located at http://www.surfaces.com/ attendee/education-program/call-for-presentations.aspx. Questions should be directed to Jennifer Hughes, Conference Manager, at 972-536-6320.

Surfaces and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2013 will be held January 29-31 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. Exhibits will be open Tuesday – Thursday and the Education Program opens Monday, January 23 and goes through Thursday. Using new social media outlets this year for Surfaces and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2013, you may find them on Facebook: search Surfaces or StonExpo/ Marmomacc Americas, or follow them on Twitter at @Surfaces_Show and @StonExpo. 

The official sponsor of Surfaces is the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), the floor covering industry’s largest advocacy organization representing floor covering retailers, contractors and allied service providers throughout North America. 

The WFCA is a recognized leader in marketing research, industry certification programs, and operates the premier consumer flooring web site, www.wfca.org, providing unbiased information about every type of floor covering and connecting customers to members’ retail stores. The WFCA also influences public policy affecting the floor covering industry and consumers. For more information about the WFCA, visit www.wfca-pro.org.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas’ Official Sponsors are the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Natural Stone Council. The mission of the MIA is to promote the use of natural stone and be the world’s most authoritative natural stone information resource. Membership in the association is worldwide and includes over 2,000 natural stone producers, exporters/ importers, distributors/ wholesalers, fabricators, finishers, installers, and industry suppliers–all committed to the highest standards of workmanship and ethics. 

The Natural Stone Council, home of the Genuine Stone® brand, is the leader in the stone industry that represents the major associations who are committed to promotion and education of the industry and general public of the value and benefits of natural stone. Member associations include: Allied Stone Industries, Building Stone Institute, Elberton Granite Association, Indiana Limestone Institute, Marble Institute of America, National Building Granite Quarries Association, National Slate Association and Natural Stone Alliance.

StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2013 official endorsers are Marmomacc, ASI and The Concrete Countertop Institute. For more information or to register visit www.stonexpo.com or www.surfaces.com.