StoneDimensions

In early 2012, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) repeated a survey originally conducted in 2008 gauging consumer sentiment on various countertop materials. The 2012 survey of 1,588 homeowners, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the MIA, found that 76 percent of homeowners agree with the statement “Nothing beats the beauty and value of granite countertops” and 75 percent of homeowners who intend to remodel their kitchens in the next two years indicated they want granite countertops.

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It has started!  President Michael Twiss asked members to connect with their peers, recruit a new member, and help build the MIA. 

February 15, 2012

The 2012 Grande Pinnacle Award winner Nick Blantern, Britishstoneworks LLC (Lakewood, OH), did not have to look far to secure his 1-for-1 member.  He turned to fellow stone carver Nathan Hunt of Hunt Studios (San Francisco, CA) to join the MIA. Both were involved in the 2012 Grande Pinnacle Award winning project.  Thanks Nick for expanding the number of stone carvers involved with the MIA.  Welcome Nathan! Learn more about both firms at: www.britishstoneworks.com and www.huntstonecarving.com.

Two MIA members - MIA Board Member Brenda Edwards, TexaStone Quarries (Garden City, TX) and Joe Dellacroce, Connecticut Stone Supplies, Inc. (Milford, CT) used an opportunity at StonExpo to meet with Joe Rice, Crystal Ricevuto, and Gigi Fontane, WBE Surfaces (New York, NY) to talk about sourcing stone.  The conversation evolved into the value of belonging to the MIA and now they are members!  Thanks Brenda and Joe for asking a customer (and potential customer) to join!  Welcome Joe, Crystal, & Gigi (who is also exploring the MIA's CEU Program).  Learn more about these firms: www.texastone.com, www.connecticutstone.com, and www.wbesurfaces.com.

Kevin Camarata, Camarata Masonry Systems (Houston, TX), supported the membership of Jim Campbell, Mustang Metal & Supply (Houston, TX).  Kevin, as well as a number of other MIA members, utilizes Jim as a custom metal fabricator specializing in non-standard masonry and stone, specifically granite anchors and marble anchors.  Thanks Kevin for asking one of your suppliers to get involved.  Welcome Jim! Learn more about both firms at: www.camaratamasonry.com and www.mustangmetal.com.

MIA Board Member Claus Larsen, DANSK Marble & Granite Works Srl (Carrara, Italy), supplies stone to John Donatelli, American Architectural Stone (North Plainfield, NJ).  Thanks Claus for asking one of your customers to get more involved.   This truly speaks to the global connections that are made by MIA members. Welcome John!  Learn more: www.danskmarble.com.

Learn more about the MIA's 1-for-1 program.

In January 2012, MIA President Michael Twiss introduced the 1-for-1 membership campaign.  He shared, "I believe each and every one of us knows at least one other company in your area that would benefit by being a member; so here is my challenge:  the new 1-for-1 plan. I encourage each MIA member company to find one non-member company and then encourage them to become a member of the MIA.

The premise of this challenge is that 1600 companies worldwide rely on the MIA to help strengthen skills, build business, and advance careers.  In most cases, the services provided are only available from the MIA - image the impact this organization could have on the stone industry if the membership doubled in size.

You might be asking, where do I find a complete listing of membership benefits?  That work is already completed!  For example, if you have an industry colleague who is a contracting installer (see list on the right), review those benefits before you approach them to make sure you haven't forgotten something.  However, the best statement of value will be you sharing your passion for what the MIA does to bring value to your company on a daily basis.  The 1-for-1 campaign is a peer-to-peer recruitment program - it does work and will have long-term benefits. So join the challenge today and help build a better industry!

How to Accept the 1-for-1 Challenge:

• Contact MIA Membership Services Manager Jeff Handley at 440.250.9222 or membership@marble-institute.com.
• Contact President Twiss directly - click here.

Each 1-for-1 participant will receive a customized membership recruitment packet and all the resources needed to introduce the MIA to an industry colleague.

"I ask you to join me...........Let's make this a priority and come out of this recession stronger and more determined to use natural stone in every way possible." - Michael Twiss, 2012 MIA President, Columbia Stone, Tualatin, OR