Conferences

The International Stone and Tile Federation is sponsoring a truly international conference in October of this year. The conference is being held at the Doral Resort and Spa, in Miami, Florida on October 19th through the 22nd, 2011.

This conference will provide attendees with knowledgeable professionals, to answer the problems they face, on a daily basis, which are influenced by global trade. The professionals are truly international and come from a wide selection of stone producing countries from around the world. Their experience includes global trade, governmental relations, and international consulting experience. Remember, this is an opportunity to talk with truly international experts, ask them your questions, and receive knowledgeable answers. However, in the final analysis, the solutions to those problems are in your hands.

The Miami Conference

Let’s look at why the Miami Conference makes sense. First, we must admit that the economy of the U.S. is not in great shape. Next we need to look at what the traditional politicians have offered us, now and in the future: Has anyone heard, or seen any type of a “jobs” program? Hmmm…I thought not.

Now let’s look at our industry; the people in it, for the most part, are successful entrepreneurs. They have built the American Dream, they employee skilled individuals, they pay taxes and, for the most part, have enjoyed successful businesses. They are just like their counterparts, around the world. But today, that picture of success is changing. We are caught up in a political nightmare: all of us, all around the world. Some say, “ride it out” or, “there is nothing we can do”. It is hard for me to believe those types of remarks, coming from successful business people around the world.

Now, I would like to ask you, ”how large is your inventory, where (what country) did a lot of your inventory come from”? Now take your answer and multiply it by several hundred thousand dollars and you should see that this industry, stone and tile, is not a little, ”baby” industry; It is a huge global industry, serving the middle and upper classes of the world’s population.

This industry has never voiced itself, as an industry, anywhere in the world. Frankly, I do not understand that. The efforts of Bob Akers, at the International Stone and Tile Federation, is being heard; as he calls on members of the industry, from around the world, to sit down and discuss the problems they are facing every day. It is understood, that every problem, cannot be fixed; but he is willing to at least make the effort to listen to the problems, bring the professionals together to help answer and address those problems, this meeting is the first meeting ever held by this industry, to begin to identify common problems of the industry and to look for solutions to those problems.

Such an organization is not an easy task: Bob knew that when he, with us at the Hudson Economics Group took this project on. It is now at the point where it will only survive if the industry cares and is willing to do something positive about the industry’s future. The choice is all yours, either you can and will do something to influence your industry, or not.

Learn more about the Miami Conference

© The International Stone and Tile Federation 2011