Stonenews speaks with Alejandro Miras, director of Stonegal, the international natural stone fair that will hold its first edition from June 2 to 5 in Vigo, Spain. Miras insights into international initiatives to attract visitors and details about the event’s activity program.
How did the idea of creating a fair like Stonegal, exclusively dedicated to natural stone, come about?
Today, most international fairs that include natural stone are heavily influenced by synthetic materials. Betting on an event dedicated exclusively to natural stone may seem risky, but from a long-term perspective, this material follows a completely different path than synthetics. Natural stone stands out for its authenticity, durability, and beauty—qualities that position it in a superior category.
At a time when sustainability is a global priority, natural stone represents an eco-friendly, reusable, and timeless alternative compared to manufactured materials with a significant environmental footprint.
What makes Stonegal an international event?
The role of Spain and Portugal in the global natural stone industry highlights the need for an event of this scale in the Iberian Peninsula. These two countries are major producers and exporters of granite, marble, slate, and other varieties, playing a key role in the global supply chain.
Additionally, our collaboration with Confindustria Marmomacchine ensures the promotion and commercialization of Stonegal from Milan, reaching industry leaders in Italy, Greece, Turkey and other countries. This strategic approach positions Stonegal as an international platform fostering connections between key markets.
How are you encouraging companies to participate as exhibitors?
Beyond the novelty of launching a new fair after several years without an event of this scale, Stonegal’s highly specialized profile—focused exclusively on professionals and excluding the general public—offers a unique value.
At the same time, we are organizing an International Congress featuring architects, interior designers, contractors, and key players in the stone supply chain, making it an unmissable event for industry professionals.The opportunity to network, explore new trends, and generate business opportunities makes Stonegal a must-attend event for market leaders.
We are also offering special conditions for early exhibitors, as well as discounts and personalized promotional packages to maximize their visibility during the fair.
What are your expectations regarding the number of exhibitors and international representation?
From the outset, our goal has been clear: to gather 150 companies from across Europe, with a strong presence of Iberian companies specializing in quarrying and production.
In addition, we are attracting regional machinery manufacturers with international reach, along with top Italian brands and key suppliers from Europe and Asia, creating an unprecedented business environment in the natural stone trade fair sector.
Our focus goes beyond materials—we expect participation from technology and machinery companies presenting innovations that enhance sustainability and efficiency in the industry, offering a 360º perspective for attendees.
What initiatives are you implementing to attract visitors?
Since 2024, we have been running a national and international promotional campaign through industry-specific media such as Stonenews, as well as leading publications in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Germany.
Additionally, we have held in-person presentations at clusters and industry associations across Spain. In February, we are expanding our activities to Portugal, Milan, and Miami, in collaboration with IGAPE (Galician Institute for Economic Promotion), with further initiatives planned for March.
What type of professional audience do you expect?
The natural stone sector is highly dynamic, with professionals accustomed to traveling frequently for business. A new fair in Spain, like Stonegal, will spark strong interest from major industry players.
Furthermore, Vigo, the host city, has gained relevance in recent years and offers an unparalleled setting—both in terms of its beauty and its infrastructure for large-scale events.
We are confident that no professional involved in trading, extraction, production, architecture, urban planning, or interior design will remain indifferent to Stonegal. Among attendees, we expect to see major international distributors, specialized small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and a broad representation of architects and designers eager to discover exclusive materials.
What can you reveal about the event’s activity program?
The activity program will be a key pillar of the fair, featuring conferences with national and international experts, live demonstrations of machinery and stone working techniques, and panel discussions on sustainability, marketing, and industry digitalization. There will also be training sessions, knowledge-sharing spaces, and interactive areas to explore new technologies applied to natural stone.
Additionally, we have integrated a social program featuring visits to local quarries and exclusive networking events in iconic locations in Vigo, ensuring a well-rounded and immersive experience for all attendees.
More concrete updates on the International Architecture Congress will be announced soon.
What impact do you expect Stonegal to have on the industry?
Our goal is to establish Stonegal as a benchmark event in Europe. As the only fair exclusively dedicated to natural stone, it offers a unique value proposition that we believe will make it a must-attend industry meeting point.
We aspire to create a forum for innovation, strategic discussions, and business networking, strengthening connections across the entire sector.
What final message would you like to share with potential exhibitors and visitors?
Stonegal is more than just a trade fair—it’s an opportunity to shape the future of natural stone. For the first time, industry leaders and key decision-makers will gather with a shared mission: to highlight the timeless value of this unique, irreplaceable material.
