The journey of the “Greek Marble” in 2023 starts from “TISE-StonExpo” in Las Vegas

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After the successful greek marble sector’s presence at The Big 5, Dubai, with the new Brand “Greek Marble, Then. Now. Forever”, the first stop of 2023 is the International Exhibition StonExpo (TISE), which will take place from January 31 to February 2, in Las Vegas, USA.

The StonExpo exhibition takes place during TISE, and Enterprise Greece supports the Greek marble industry’s first participation. TISE International Exhibition is organized for the 35th year at the Mandalay Bay Exhibition Center in Las Vegas, USA, and is the most important exhibition of the sector in North America. It is essentially three world-class exhibitions held simultaneously, Surfaces (flooring sector), StonExpo (marble and stone) and TileExpo (tiles).

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While the national pavilion will feature eight companies among the sector’s most dynamic ones, a central “Greek Marble” pavilion has also been designed. It aims to promote some of the most iconic and globally renowned types of Greek marble through a unique interactive experience. Visitors to the pavilion will have the opportunity to watch live the creation of a work of art curated by a sculptor, a graduate of the Preparatory and Vocational School of Fine Arts of Panormos Tinos, and be informed about the possibilities offered by Greek marble in a multitude of applications. On the first day of the exhibition, there will also be a special lecture on Greek Marble at the Natural Stone Theater.

In 2022, the first in-person TISE event since the pandemic, the total exhibition area was 302,748 square feet (35,000 sq. m.), and 475 exhibitors participated (America 76%, Canada 7% and outside America 3% – reduced due to the pandemic). Attendance was up 71% over 2020 when the show was a great success before the pandemic began. By extension, Greek companies hope that they will have the opportunity to network with many buyers and talk to some of the strongest companies in the industry during the three days of the exhibition.

At the StonExpo, thousands of trade visitors will discover the qualitative characteristics and history of Greek marble through the centuries and the modern possibilities of its processing by Greek companies for its application in international projects of high standards. Enterprise Greece and the Association of Marble Enterprises of Macedonia-Thrace, Greece, have collaborated with the shared goal of enhancing the extroversion of this emblematic sector for Greek exports and increasing the added value of the final product. The Marble Business Association of Macedonia – Thrace, Greece, participates in the Natural Stone Strategic Alliance, in which the Associations representing the countries with the largest production and export activity in the natural stone sector cooperate closely for the strategic development of the sector. In addition to Greece, Brazil, Brazil, the USA, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Spain will participate in this alliance. There will also be a meeting with the associations of Turkey and Egypt at this exhibition.

Enterprise Greece

Enterprise Greece (Hellenic Investment and Foreign Trade Company S.A.) is the official national body operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs auspices for attracting investments in Greece and promoting exports. It aims to promote the country as an attractive investment destination and the greek competitive export products and services.

Association of Marble Businesses of Macedonia – Thrace, Greece

The Association of Marble Enterprises of Macedonia – Thrace, Greece, founded in 1972 in Kavala, is the largest association representing the Greek marble industry. It consists of 75 members, including the largest and most important Greek marble companies. It is indicative that these companies account for more than 85% of the turnover of the sector’s companies and have 98% of the profitability. In particular, 670 companies are active in the Greek marble industry, directly employing 6,500 workers and indirectly 18,000 workers.