Marmomacc 2007, business e design. 42nd edition scheduled at VeronaFiere 4-7 October

Strong attendance at the exhibition by international buyers from 112 countries - equal to 40% of total visitors - and the agreement with StonExpo (in Atlanta and Las Vegas in 2007) confirm world leadership for the International Exhibition of Stone, Design & Technology. High-level satisfaction among participants at the exhibition: 99% will attend the next edition

Organisation of Marmomacc 2007 is already in full swing, with an increasing focus on business and promotion activities highlighting the use of stone in modern architecture and interior design, thereby confirming its world leadership.

The system of alliances and partnerships, initiatives on an international scale, analysis of objective, qualitative and quantitative parameters - certified by an independent auditing company - in short enable VeronaFiere, the owner of the brand and organiser of the 42nd edition of the International Exhibition of Stone, Design & Technology scheduled 4-7 October 2007 (www.marmomacc.com), to claim that "the exhibition today is the best business provider for sector companies and the promotion of culture in using natural stone for designers and final consumers".

North America, India, Pakistan, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Egypt, Europe (with particular emphasis on Russia, Turkey, Switzerland, MontaCarlo, Ukraine and Yugoslavia) and European Union countries (first and foremost Germany, Austria, Spain, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and the Baltic Republics) are the areas attracting the best attendance by international operators every year at Marmomacc (out of 65 thousand total stays in 2006 saw 40% international attendance equal to almost 25 thousand visitors from 112 countries, with an increase of 12% over the previous year). Other reference parameters (all data will soon be certified by FKM, the consulting company active in the sector since 1965) were also very favourable: more than 1,500 exhibitors from 52 countries (+4%), over a net area of 70 thousand square metres (+10%).

The 2006 edition also welcomed 25 international delegations, including the official delegation from Pakistan guided by the Minister for Industry, Khan Tareen, as well as thousands of designers and architects (600 of whom selected together with ICE, the National Institute for International Trade) and 15 official group shows, in particular the German Association of marble-stone producers attending Marmomacc for the first time and representing more than 180 companies.

The exhibition, thanks not the least to the alliance with StonExpo, is increasingly stating its role as a driving force for exports and professional training in the United States of America and Canada.

"Marmomacc," said Giovanni Mantovani, Director General of VeronaFiere, "has signed a strategic partnership agreement and, following optimal experience in 2006, will organise attendance by Italian companies in 2007 at StonExpo East (March) in Atlanta and StonExpo Las Vegas (November) - the landmark events for the North American market. Our exhibition has enjoyed leadership for many years in this area, even as regards professional training, since our mission also focuses - thanks to a new culture of stone - on companies, designers and final consumers, whose expenditure supports and justifies production activity."

In the wake of the inauguration at the last edition of two new Halls dedicated to design (10 and 11) totalling 20 thousand square metres and having promoted in Hall 7 the largest-ever single exhibition for processing tools, abrasives and chemical products, Marmomacc in 2007 will also benefit from another new inside Hall (7B).

The 2007 edition will also include, among others, a new event dedicated to street furniture and interior design named "Adopt Design" involving collaboration with exhibiting companies and internationally famous designers to create objects-prototypes that will presented next 4-7 October.

Cultural initiatives focusing on the use of stone in modern architecture within the "Marble Art Culture" section once again include the Biennial International Stone Architecture Awards, one of the most qualified and prestigious events of its kind all over the world
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Marmomacc is now an official member of the prestigious MIA - Marble Institute of America - and is recognised as an "education provider" (training) by AIA (American Institute of Architects), the association whose members include most US architects. As of 2006, they can also access an on-line course in the use of natural stone through the important site AECDaily (www.aecdaily.com/sponsor/veronafiere).

Marmomacc's relationships with architects have also been consolidated over the years through agreements with RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and RAIC (Royal Architectural Institute of Canada).

These architects take part every year in theoretical and practical lessons, with direct visits to a number of quarries for first-hand experience of quarrying processes and stone material processing.

The Exhibition presents a series of initiatives, services, business and training opportunities that 99% of participants, exhibitors and visitors judged with the highest degree of satisfaction in confirming their intention to take part in the 2007 edition (VeronaFiere, 4/7 October).