Marmomacc, 50 editions at the service of the international natural stone industry

Since 1961, the exhibition has given a voice to an industry that in Italy in 2014 achieved total production of more than 3.84 billion euros in value, with 3,340 companies and 33,700 employees (source: Confindustria Marmomacchine). Such figures define a top-level manufacturing reality with a strong export vocation – 75% of sales are sold abroad, amounting to 2.88 billion euros in 2014. 

In this context, Marmomacc is the leading global platform for promoting natural stone business and culture. This role is confirmed by the statistics posted by the previous edition, that attracted 1,500 exhibitors from 58 countries, 65,000 visitors (54% international from 145 countries) and trade delegations representing 45 countries.

50th edition
The 50th edition of Marmomacc, with the support of the Ministry for Economic Development (MISE), the Italian Trade Agency and Confindustria Marmomacchine, will welcome a dedicated special project to promote Made in Italy which will be developed along three main guidelines.

The Italian Stone Theatre – a hall celebrating excellence in the Italian natural stone industry, with a large "theatre" dedicated to the world of natural stone and related processing machinery on displaying strictly Italian technologies and experimental natural stone projects; significant and highly qualified incoming activity to encourage foreign trade delegations involving operators in the sector, with more than 200 architects and buyers; The International Stone Summit – the first event of its kind involving natural stone associations.

Marmomacc, today, provides a full-scale global network supporting companies. Throughout the year, this network keeps its finger on the pulse of consolidated and emerging markets, with a calendar of events organised in the United States, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Morocco and Egypt.
Marmomacc@¬#s international mission can also rely on important institutional partners such as Simest and Sace, as well as Confindustria Marmomacchine, Informa Exhibitions and Centro Servizi per il Marmo di Volargne, a landmark for the Veneto Marble and Natural Stone District.

Part of these funds will be used to achieve what lies at the heart of the 50th Marmomacc: The Italian Stone Theatre – an entire hall showcasing the skills of Italian natural stone companies in developing innovative projects through craftsmanship as well as the most sophisticated technologies. For the first time, there will even be inside space dedicated to @¬#designer@¬# catering with the presence of a star chef on each day of the event.

Strengths
During the four-day trade fair, the meeting of supply and demand is a central aspect in Verona, ranging from blocks of unhewn stone and processed materials to machinery, technologies, tools and accessories needed to produce items in marble. Attendance by selected foreign buyers is a fundamental feature and this year will welcome double the numbers. Foreign operators involved in this programme will also take part in a series of workshops and visits to local companies, with the objective of expanding knowledge of Made in Italy stone products and machinery.

One of the strengths of Marmomacc is the decision to combine business with design and product culture thereby turning the event into one of the most important occasions for comparison, innovation and education for companies and professionals working with stone. Architects, engineers and designers, for example, benefit from the meetings organised by Stone Academy, a project headed by Marmomacc that also involves 20 Italian and international universities to organise seminars and second level master degrees in stone design. Veronafiere has organised training courses in collaboration with prestigious professional institutions on an international scale for more than ten years: with AIA (American Institute of Architects), for which Marmomacc is an exclusive provider authorised to offer training in stone design to US architects; with RIBA, the professional association of British architects, and RAIC, the Canadian architects association. The numerous initiatives in the program include the 14th edition of the International Architecture in Stone Award, the 4th Marmomacc and the City event, 9th Best Communicator Award and the Marble Forum, with non-stop lectio magistralis and conventions.

* For further information: www.marmomacc.com / www.abitareiltempo.com