Verona, 6 August 2014–More than 1,400 confirmed exhibitors from 56 countries--with new entries from Malta, Mexico, Thailand, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. The entire exhibition centre is consequently already fully booked, with 75,000 square metres net of business spaces and areas reserved for special shows with than two months to the 49th edition, Marmomacc 2014 is already warming up its engines. The most important international event in the natural stone industry, scheduled at Verona fiere next 24--27September,is poised to become for four days the world meeting point for all operators in the natural stone sector(www.marmomacc.com). This industry in Italy alone boasts 3,340 companies, 33,700 employees and turnover of 3.9 billion euros in 2013 (source: Confindustria Marmomacchine) and is represented at Marmomacc in the most complete way: from unhewn blocks to processed materials, machinery and equipments for marble and granite through to training courses and teaching tools for architects. This year, more over, ties with the world of design are even closer. Infact, the show is scheduled for the first time together with Abitare Il Tempo (www.abitareiltempo.it), the exhibition devoted to the contract, interior decoration and furnishing/furniture sector that complements and extends Marmomacc's own offering. As for every edition, there is a very strong focus on international demand as a crucial aspect for promoting processed marble and Made in Italy technology--that in 2013 exported 71.5% of production with a positive balance of trade of 2.4 billion euros. The top ten markets of interest high lighted by Italian exhibitors at Marmomacc confirm the United States in first place, followed by Russia, China, Italy, Brazil, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, India and Turkey. This is why Verona fiere, through its network of foreign delegates and in collaboration with Confindustria Marmomacchine and ICE--Italian Agency for International Promotion and Internationalisation of Italian Companies, has worked to attract qualified and selected stone industry and contract buyers to Marmomacc with the aim of involving them in training programs, B2B appointments with exhibitors and meetings with international groups.
