2025 Georgia Study Tour
September 8-11 • Athens and Elberton, Georgia
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
FULL REGISTRATION $1995
Includes 4 nights lodging (NSI will arrange), all planned meals, tours & event transportation.
2nd in ROOM REGISTRATION
$995 When sharing a room with FULL Registrant. Includes all planned meals, tours & event transportation.
NON-LODGING REGISTRATION
$995 Includes all planned meals, tours & event transportation. Excludes any lodging.
A LA CARTE REGISTRATION
Select dinner events are listed on the registration form.
REGISTRATION CLOSES AUGUST 13, 2025
2025 CANCELATION and REFUND POLICY
Cancelations received before August 13 are eligible for a full refund. Cancelations requested after August 13 but before August 29 receive refund less $125 administration fee.
Cancelations requested after August 29 but before September 5, lodging refund only. We regret NO REFUNDS available after September 5.
LODGING
Hotel Abacus
295 E. Dougherty St.
Athens, GA 30601
www.hotelabacusathens.com
TRAVEL
Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (ATL) 75 miles, approx. 90 mins. by car (traffic dependent). Suggested route out of Atlanta is Interstate 85N.
Groome Transportation departs hourly from ATL. Roughly $40-$60pp. www.groometransportation.com (706) 612-1155
All major rental car companies available.
Greenville/Spartanburg (GSP) 2 hr 35 min by car.
All major rental car companies available.
Eastside Transportation – livery option. www.eastsidetransportation.com (864) 609-5466
ARRIVE: Monday, September 8. Arrive at hotel by 4pm. Activities will begin on Monday pm.
DEPART: Friday, September 12. Activities extend through Thursday evening.
WHO IS PARTICIPATING
Attendees will enjoy site visits to the following NSI member companies:
- Cutting Edge Stone
- Star Granite Interiors
- Elberton Granite Association
- Sterling Gray Quarry
- Polycor Georgia Marble
- Williams Stone Company
- Miles Supply
- Wilson Industrial Equipment
IMPORTANT! Safety/Steel Toe shoes are REQUIRED for this event. A change of shoes is recommended, but you must wear safety shoes.
ITINERARY (suggested times, subject to change)
Monday September 8 |
|
| 2pm – 4pm | Registration |
| 4pm – 6pm | Possible Afternoon Walking Tour on way to Creature Comforts |
| 6pm – 8pm | Reception/Buffet Dinner Creature Comforts |
Tuesday September 9 |
|
| 7am – 8am | Breakfast |
| 8am | Depart Hotel Abacus |
| 9:30am – 11:15am | Tour Cutting Edge Stone |
| 12pm – 3pm | Tour w/lunch Polycor Georgia Marble Company |
| 4:30pm – 8:30pm | Andretti Karting/Top Golf activity w/dinner |
| 9:30pm | Arrive at Hotel Abacus |
Wednesday September 10 |
|
| 7am – 7:30am | Light breakfast service |
| 7:30am | Depart Hotel Abacus |
| 8:15am – 10:15am | Elberton Granite Museum tour and breakfast |
| 10:15am – 11am | Drive by Elberton sites of interest |
| 11am – 12:30pm | Tour Miles Supply w/lunch |
| 1pm – 2:30pm | Tour Williams Stone Supply quarry & rail spur |
| 3:30pm | Arrive at Hotel Abacus |
| 5:30pm – 9:30pm | Reception/LIVE Auction/Dinner at Hotel Abacus |
Thursday September 11 |
|
| 7am – 8am Breakfast | |
| 8am – 9:30am | Meeting – open Quarry Advocacy Group Steering Committee |
| 9:45am | Depart Hotel Abacus |
| 10:30am – 1:15pm | Tour Wilson Industrial Equipment w/lunch |
| 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Tours of Star Interiors and Sterling Quarry |
| 3:30pm | Arrive at Hotel Abacus |
| 5:00pm – 9:00pm | Bus to Georgia Botanical Gardens – Reception/Dinner WIS Legacy Honoree: Monica Gawet (Tennessee Marble Company) |
Friday September 12 - Departures |
|
2025 AUCTION
The LIVE auction will be held September 10, 2025 in Athens, GA during the study tour.
An ONLINE auction will occur Wednesday, September 3rd through Wednesday, September 10.
NEW IN 2025: After 4pm on September 10, ONLINE auction items and their highest bid will transition to SILENT auction bidding at the Study Tour, and close just prior to the start of the LIVE auction. Bidders not attending may still bid on SILENT or LIVE auction items through prior arrangement with an attending member.
ALL bidders must register and provide credit card information to bid. Pledged auction items and product requirements are due August 8, 2025. Where practical, auction items will be present at the study tour and available to carry home. Shipping details will be announced soon.
Additional details can be found on the Auction Donation Form.
All proceeds to benefit the Natural Stone Institute.
EVENT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sponsorships off-set event costs and raise awareness to sponsor company’s products and services. See levels and sponsor promotions listed below. Complete your sponsorship using the REGISTER NOW link above.
Bronze Sponsor $500.00
Event signage.
Silver Sponsor $750.00
Event signage and tabletop sign at Tuesday activities.
Gold Sponsor $1000.00
Event signage, tabletop sign at Monday reception and bus signage.
Platinum Sponsor $1250.00
Event signage, tabletop sign with literature handout opportunity on Wednesday night, and bus signage.
