Coverings 2026

Moderator: Jim Hieb, NSI
Panelists: Jeff Erickson, Cutting Edge Countertops, Evan Cohen, Quality Marble and Granite, Filippo Emmanuel, Comes North America, Blake Christensen, Valley View Granite, Sam Arcot, Rugo Stone

What is the current state of the natural stone industry? Learn first-hand how industry leaders and peers address matters ranging from government regulation, competing product challenges, and forecasting market growth. Expect open dialogue and no slides – just an engaging conversation that addresses your questions and the industry’s most pressing issues.

Speakers: Mark Meriaux, Natural Stone Institute; Alex Zambrano, Fabrizio & Sons Marble and Cameron Demille, MB Stone Care

Join us to delve into the art and science of stone restoration. Learn essential techniques for assessing damage, selecting appropriate cleaning methods, and executing precise repairs. Discover expert tips on polishing, sealing, and maintaining a variety of stone types, ensuring their enduring beauty. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned professional, this session will elevate your restoration skills to new heights.

Presenter: Rich Katzmann, MBA – Thyrve

Moderator: Bill Griese – Deputy Executive Director – Tile Council of North America

Panelists:
Scott Conwell, FAIA, FCSI, LEED AP – Director of Industry Development – International Masonry Institute
Sarah B Gregg – Marketing Director – Natural Stone Institute
Mauro Rullo – Sustainability & Climate Policy Manager – Confindustria Ceramica

As the sustainability conversation evolves toward circularity, the tile and stone industry faces a critical opportunity to define what circularity truly means for us. This session explores how the enduring performance, adaptability, and aesthetic longevity of tile, stone, and masonry naturally align with the principles of circular design, particularly through adaptive reuse. By positioning longevity as a core principle of circularity, we can define a circular economy built on minimized waste and maximized resource efficiency. Participants will engage in dialogue around how the industry can take a clear, unified stance on circularity, leveraging durability, design neutrality, and timeless appeal to lead the movement toward lasting, low-impact architecture

Speaker: Ed Young, Fabricator Partner

Learn how to use business analytics to track performance, profitability, and growth in the stone industry. This session explores key metrics, dashboards, and data-driven decision-making strategies to improve estimating, operations, sales, and overall business efficiency in today’s competitive stone market.

Speakers: Mark Meriaux, Natural Stone Institute

This session provides a comprehensive overview of OSHA regulations and safety standards specific to the stone industry. Attendees will gain valuable insights into workplace safety protocols, hazard identification, equipment safety, and employee training. By understanding key OSHA regulations, identifying common workplace hazards, and implementing proper safety protocols, you can create a safer work environment, reduce workplace risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Speaker: Vince Moiso, Ceramic Tile and Stone Consultants

This one hour session is designed to give architects and designers an overview of how to specify natural stone. There are many factors to consider to ensure you are choosing the proper material for your project. What do you need to know about its species, color variations, and finish possibilities? Is the quarry able to produce the sizes and quantities you need? And finally, what factors affect the price of the stone you specify? Get the resources you need to help ensure the stone you choose meets the standards and design intent set for your application.

Speaker: Buddy Ontra, BoStone

This one-hour presentation is intended to explain how natural stone fits into the Green movement. The stone industry continues to reduce environmental impacts through technology advancements and responsible manufacturing and shipping processes. We will discuss historical uses of natural stone that have stood the test of time. You will see examples of how key characteristics of stone such as its life cycle and carbon footprint satisfy elements of green building standards.

Speaker: TBA

Explore the key business trends impacting today’s stone industry, from market demand and pricing pressures to technology adoption, labor challenges, and sustainability. This session provides insights to help stone professionals anticipate change, adapt strategies, and position their businesses for long-term growth and competitiveness.

Join Women in Stone, Women in Tile, and Women in the Flooring Industry for an engaging women-only networking event designed to spark meaningful connections and professional growth. Through guided small-group discussions and structured table rotations, attendees will explore leadership, career advancement, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and work–life balance.

This interactive lunch offers the opportunity to connect, share insights, and build lasting relationships across the industry. Whether you’re looking to expand your network, gain perspective from other women in the field, or support the next generation of leaders, this experience is designed to inspire and elevate

Speaker: Ed Young, Fabricator Partner

Learn how to use business analytics to track performance, profitability, and growth in the stone industry. This session explores key metrics, dashboards, and data-driven decision-making strategies to improve estimating, operations, sales, and overall business efficiency in today’s competitive stone market.

Speaker: Buddy Ontra, BoStone; Cameron Demille, MB Stone Care

One of the most important aspects of fabrication is knowing how a material will perform when cut. Are you confident the material you are cutting was correctly identified in specification? During this session, we will perform basic stone identification techniques that will help you correctly identify materials before you start fabrication. Leave with a plan to confirm the geology of materials you are cutting and installing every time.

Speaker: Mark Meriaux, Natural Stone Institute (Moderator), Corri Melling, Melling Marble and Granite; Blake Christensen, Valley View Granite; TBA

This interactive session offers a unique platform for fabricators to connect, share experiences and address common challenges. Join us for a facilitated discussion where you can engage with industry peers, explore innovative solutions and gain valuable insights. From technical to business to marketing, bring your questions, concerns and best practices to contribute to the collective knowledge.

Building Hope: A Conversation with Gary Sinise, NTCA, and NSI on Serving Veterans Through Skilled Craftsmanship
Panelist: Gary Sinise – Gary Sinise Foundation
Panelist: Bart A. Bettiga – National Tile Contractors Association
Panelist: Jim Hieb, CAE – Natural Stone Institute

Presenter: Rich Katzmann, MBA – Thyrve

Moderator: Tony Malisani, Malisani, Inc.
Panelists: Alexander Zambrano, Fabrizio & Sons Marble; Justine Poli, Inga Granitos; TBA;

Running a family business is a balancing act of tradition, ambition, and teamwork. In this interactive discussion, leaders from successful family-owned tile and stone companies will answer your questions, share their firsthand experiences, lessons learned, and strategies for navigating the unique challenges that come with working alongside family. Whether you’re leading a small family business or simply looking to understand how to manage family dynamics while driving growth, this session offers practical insights and inspiration for building a thriving, long-lasting enterprise. Bring your challenges, ask your questions, and walk away with actionable insights to help your family business thrive.

Speaker: Buddy Ontra, BoStone; Cameron Demille, MB Stone Care

One of the most important aspects of fabrication is knowing how a material will perform when cut. Are you confident the material you are cutting was correctly identified in specification? During this session, we will perform basic stone identification techniques that will help you correctly identify materials before you start fabrication. Leave with a plan to confirm the geology of materials you are cutting and installing every time.

Speaker: TBA

Explore the key business trends impacting today’s stone industry, from market demand and pricing pressures to technology adoption, labor challenges, and sustainability. This session provides insights to help stone professionals anticipate change, adapt strategies, and position their businesses for long-term growth and competitiveness.

Speakers: Mark Meriaux, Natural Stone Institute; Alex Zambrano, Fabrizio & Sons Marble and Cameron Demille, MB Stone Care

Join us to delve into the art and science of stone restoration. Learn essential techniques for assessing damage, selecting appropriate cleaning methods, and executing precise repairs. Discover expert tips on polishing, sealing, and maintaining a variety of stone types, ensuring their enduring beauty. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned professional, this session will elevate your restoration skills to new heights.