Stoners Band Together For Their Own Trade Show

Online, August 7, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Attempts to standardize, integrate, unify, franchise, or coordinate the fiercely independent, frequently family owned companies that manufacture stone countertops across the country have never fared well in the past. In contrast, hundreds of granite shops that make up the SFA or Stone Fabricators Alliance are putting down their diamond blades and creating the first ever Mega Stone Workshop/Tradeshow. Particpants are expected to get wet and dirty while engaging in industry best practices to deliver higher quality service and products. Consumers are encouraged to raise their expectations when it comes ot using stone for the project. The show is slated for Oct 7-9, 2010 in St Louis Missouri.

While the industry has always had its fair share of trade shows, they've always been set up more for "show" than for manufacturing. The SFA Mega Workshop/Tradeshow show will take place in a more "industrial" atmosphere at the Gateway Convention Center in St Louis. Shop owners and technicians will be encouraged to share and compare various fabrication techniques while exploring new tool set ups being brought in by dozens of major sponsors that have already committed to attending. While at a smaller workshop in 2008, SFA member Andy Kamaratos of www.akropolismarble.com said "In America you have a saying, there's more than one way to skin a cat, well with the SFA I've learned that there's more than one way to cut & polish stone." Breadth of ideas, and new ways to make or save money have always been the bread and butter of past SFA workshops.

Real granite countertops will be measured, fabricated, installed and donated to several families through Habitat for Humanity, allowing seasoned stone professionals to experience first-hand what "state of the art" means in 2010. "I started out cutting Chinese blanks in a barn with a hand held saw, and now I'm turning out high quality work that can go head to head with anybody in my market" said long time SFA member Alladin Nassar of www.midamericagranite.com . The industry is being transformed by new technologies like resin polishing pads, digital templating, diamond saws, water jets, saw/jet technology, CNC polishing, order management software, and internet marketing. Having a solid foundation with hand tools, a generous amount of common sense, and bit of luck still play daily roles however.

The SFA is a completely volunteer run, loose knit, grass roots association of stone fabricators that share a commitment to higher quality, sharing of knowledge, and the betterment of the industry. Started in 2005 as a simple internet chat room community swapping tips, techniques, and occasionally loaning tools to each other, the SFA has grown to become one of the largest and most well organized associations in the industry. More information can be found at their website stonefabricatorsalliance.com