MIA Receives Macael Award in Spain from the Asociación de Empresarios del Mármol de Andalucía (AEMA)
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Marble Institute of America
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(MIA0089)
Oberlin, OH, December 13, 2014 — On November 21, 2014, MIA president Tony Malisani (Malisani, Inc. of Great Falls, MT) accepted the coveted "Institution Award" at the 28th edition of the Macael Awards in Macael Spain. This award was one of nine awards given by the Asociación de Empresarios del M´rmol de Andalucía (AEMA), the leading natural stone association in the Almeria region of Spain.
Tony Malisani and David Castellucci proudly hold the "Institution Award"" at the Macael Awards event
In his acceptance speech, Malisani indicated, “It is my honor and great privilege to receive this award on behalf of the members of the MIA. The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has 1,700 members that are located in 56 counties around the world. It is our belief that one way to strengthen the stone industry in the United States is to strengthen our ties with international natural stone community. The marble industry here is one of the oldest, and is also one of the most innovative.
Tony Malisani and David Castellucci proudly hold the “Institution Award” at the Macael Awards event.
Certainly there is much we can learn. We are hoping to continue our outreach and increase cooperation, communication, and education with the Asociación de Empresarios del Mármol de Andalucía.”
During the event AEME President, Antonio Martinez highlighted that a strong global stone market demands that collaboration occur between stone associations. He acknowledged that the MIA’s standing in the natural stone industry for developing technical standards, safety initiatives, current development of an international import/export handbook, and innovation were factors that caused the AEME to recognize the MIA with the “Institution Award”, a special award for stone trade associations.
During the event AEME President, Antonio Martinez highlighted that a strong global stone market demands that collaboration occur between stone associations. He acknowledged that the MIA’s standing in the natural stone industry for developing technical standards, safety initiatives, current development of an international import/export handbook, and innovation were factors that caused the AEME to recognize the MIA with the “Institution Award”, a special award for stone trade associations.
The event drew 500 attendees from several countries and was an impressive presentation and recognition of outstanding stonework. Malisani noted that, “with over 10% of the MIA membership residing outside of North America, it is rewarding for the MIA to be recognized for outstanding programs that benefit the entire global stone industry.”
AEME president Antonio Martinez accepts a certificate of appreciation from Tony Malisani.
Marble from the Macael region has been used for centuries.
Tony Malisani, David Castellucci, Eduardo Cosentino, and Jim Hieb.
AEME’s first vice president and MIA member Eduardo Cosentino hosted the MIA delegation which included Malisani, MIA Secretary David Castellucci (Kenneth Castellucci and Associates of Lincoln, RI), and MIA Executive Vice President Jim Hieb. The MIA also had the opportunity to meet with AEME officials to present several key industry initiatives including the newly adopted ANSI approved sustainability standard championed by the Natural Stone Council (NSC). In the upcoming months, the MIA and AEME will also be collaborating on a translation of the MIA’s Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM) into Spanish to further expand the use and understanding of technical standards. MIA’s Castellucci added, “We also had a very good conversation about safety, quality standards, and education for architects, as well as stone professionals. It was also great to tour their technology center (Fundación Centro Tecnológico Andaluz de la Piedra) and discuss advances in stone testing and other technology.”
For additional information and pictures from the Macael Awards go online to www.marble-institute.com/macaelawards. The awards were also featured in the following publications:
About the Marble Institute of America
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) has served as the authoritative source of information on standards of natural stone workmanship and practice and the application of natural stone products for 70 years.
Membership in the association is worldwide and includes over 1,600 natural stone producers, exporters/importers, distributors/wholesalers, fabricators, finishers, installers, and industry suppliers committed to the highest standards of workmanship and ethics.
MIA offers an industry accreditation program for fabricators and installers, markets a range of technical publications and consumer pamphlets on natural stone, sponsors business and technical meetings and seminars on industry-related topics, provides educational programming for architects and construction specification professionals, and conducts the annual Pinnacle Awards competitions recognizing outstanding natural stone projects worldwide.
MIA is also a leading promoter of stone usage in the commercial and residential marketplaces, producing consumer education materials on the use of natural stone and its proper care and maintenance. More information can be found on the association's website: http://www.marble-institute.com.
