SURFACES | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2012 Delivers Robust Education Program and Introduces the S2 Masters Certification Program

(Dallas, Texas) As the industry’s trusted resource for quality education within the flooring and natural stone communities, the 2012 education program for SURFACES | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas will feature more than 80 seminars, mini-sessions and workshops, divided among eight tracks focused on today’s most relevant industry topics. Exhibits with Education packages are just $15 when registering on or before November 30. Attendees can access the online registration for each S2 event via their independent websites at www.Surfaces.com and www.StonExpo.com.

Tracks include Business, Marketing and Sales—all sponsored by Floor Covering News; Stone Fabrication/Installation—sponsored by Stone World; Flooring Installation, Building and Design Trends, and Care/Maintenance/Restoration; plus, Sustainability—sponsored by Floor Covering Weekly. All S2 registrants are welcome and have access to any education they wish to attend—most offering valuable CEU credits including AIA, IDCEC, IICRC and ASID upon completion. Additional on-floor features and special areas are open throughout the exhibit halls for more hands-on education, product demonstrations and networking opportunities.

The S2 Masters Certification Program makes its debut in 2012—raising the bar on the professional commitment for personal development at SURFACES | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas. Beginning in 2012, completion of eight hours of coursework during any annual S2 event, automatically earns a S2 Masters Certification. Learn more about this new recognition at
www.Surfaces.com or www.StonExpo.com.

SURFACES and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2012 will be held January 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. Exhibits will be open Tuesday – Thursday and the Education Program opens Monday, January 23 and goes through Thursday. For more information on SURFACES and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2012, visit us at www.Surfaces.com or www.StonExpo.com or follow us 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 on the value and benefits of natural stone. Member associations include: Allied Stone Industries, American Monument Association, Building Stone Institute, Canadian Stone Association, Elberton Granite Association, Marble Institute of America, National Building Granite Quarries Association, National Granite Manufacturers Association and Natural Stone Alliance.
StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2012 official endorsers are Marmomacc, Allied Stone Industries and The Concrete Countertop Institute.

About Veronafiere
Veronafiere (Verona Trade Fair Company) is Italy's most important direct organizer of trade shows and among the top organizers in Europe. Founded in 1898, Veronafiere now focuses on economic sectors of primary importance to the Italian economy, including stone (Marmomacc), construction (Samoter), and wine (Vinitaly).  Veronafiere conducts or hosts 37 trade shows a year in Verona and 11 abroad.  Annual turnover in 2007 was more than $110M.

Marmomacc is the global leader in natural and engineered stone materials and related technologies and design.  Samoter is one of Europe's major exhibitions of construction equipment and earth-moving machinery.  Vinitaly is the largest wine trade show in the world.  All three are owned and organized by Veronafiere.

About Hanley Wood
Hanley Wood, LLC is the premier media company serving housing and construction. Through four operating divisions, the company produces award-winning magazines and Web sites, marquee trade shows and events, rich data and custom marketing solutions. The company also is North America’s leading publisher of home plans. Hanley Wood Exhibitions (Dallas) conducts events serving the industry’s strongest market segments, including World of Concrete, one of the top 20 trade show events in the country.

Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is one of the ten largest B-to-B media companies in the United States. Hanley Wood is owned by affiliates of JPMorgan Partners, which uses CCMP Capital Advisors to manage this investment.

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