StonExpo ’14 Live from the Floor

LAS VEGAS — If you’re wondering what’s different at StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas this year — at least when compared to the last several events — there’s something more than a nice buzz.

It’s noise. Coming from a lot of people. And crowded (and sometimes blocked) aisles.

This isn’t the return of the mania of the mid-2000s — something we won’t see again — but the look and sounds of a event that’s verifying a return from the dark aisles of recent years.

For stone fabricators, the other big surprise may be with machinery, as the Italians seem to be back in force. Along with the stalwarts such as CMS Brembana and Breton S.p.A., large machines are on the floor from the likes of Donatoni, Emmedue and Comandulli.

There’s also an increased presence from the architectural-stone business, spurred by a large exhibit from the Building Institute of America. Several high-profile members, such as Rock of Ages and Coldspring, make some rare appearances at StonExpo with mini-exhibits within the large BIA booth.

One thing that didn’t return to StonExpo this year are the long, long registration lines tracking up the foyer at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. On-site signup went much more smoothly this year; those waiting in the short lines received a smooth serenade from an in-house DJ.