MIA Boosts Regional Education

CLEVELAND – The Marble Institute of America (MIA) expanded its 2005 educational offerings in February on a regional basis, adding one-day programs and customized training for member companies to its two-day sessions on residential natural stone.
And, the stone association is also developing ways for members to teach others allied to the industry on the benefits of natural stone.
In addition to the five two-day residential seminars announced earlier this year, the MIA will host at least 14 other one-day seminars on subjects ranging from improving shop efficiency to natural stone restoration and maintenance. The fabrication-shop program will be taught by Kevin Padden, long-time industry trainer. Tom McNall of Great Northern Stone will host the maintenance seminar.
In 2005, MIA one and two-day programs open to members and non-members will be held in Arizona, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, the District of Columbia., Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Washington, Indiana, Illinois, Connecticut,North Carolina and Oregon, as well as Quebec and British Columbia.
The move increases the association’s regional programs from two in 2004 to l9 this year.
“This offering represents a milestone in our attempt to carry MIA’s educational opportunities way beyond what occurred in the past,” says Gary Distelhorst , MIA executive vice president,. “Members and non-members now have a choice of the education sessions they want to attend close to home and at value pricing.”
Distelhorst adds that one of the most exciting new packages will be customized programs for individual company employees, in which the firm can pick and choose among several subjects, adding up to a one-day program.
Also, the first pilot phase of a new localized continuing education program on designing natural stone projects is underway and the entire eight-part program could be rolled out by the end of 2005.
The MIA Natural Stone Continuing Education Program, to be taught by MIA members , will eventually include eight PowerPoint™ presentations that cover an introduction to natural stone, natural-stone selection criteria and how natural stone goes from the quarry to the residential countertop or commercial project.
The package is being developed to train architects, interior designers, general and residential contractors and stone industry employees.
“When finally implemented it will make MIA members qualified to teach the program the local authority on natural stone training,” Distelhorst says. “It can create a great deal of credibility for companies eventually participating in the effort.”
The first presentation went to eight companies in February, and the remainder will be sent to the test group throughout the remainder of the year. All participating MIA members will be required to participate in the special “train the trainer” programs which will quality those attending to host and teach the courses.
The presentations are being developed by MIA’s Education Committee and technical staff with PowerPoint support from Kepco+, an award winning natural stone company operating in Salt Lake City.
Complete details on all the educational programs are available at www.marble-institute.com, or by calling MIA headquarters at 440-250-9222. A current listing of MIA one- and two-day seminars is also featured in the Calendar section of Stone Business.