Greek Marble’s Journey to StonExpo
ATHENS — “Greek Marble, Then. Now. Forever” is the new brand name being introduced in the United States at StonExpo from Jan. 31-Feb. 2. in Las Vegas.
Enterprise Greece, the state agency for trade promotion, supports the first Greek participation of the country’s natural-stone sector at The International Surface Event (TISE) at the Mandalay Bay Exhibition Center.
Eight prominent Greek companies of the sector will participate, with a central “Greek Marble” pavilion promoting some of the world-famous types of Greek marble through a unique interactive experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch the step-by-step the creation of a work of art that will be produced by a sculptor graduate student from the School of Fine Arts of Panormos, Tinos, Greece.
The pavilion will present endless possibilities offered by Greek marble in various applications.
During the first day of the exhibition, a presentation speech about Greek marble will also be held at the Natural Stone Theater. Trade visitors will be informed about the quality characteristics and the history of Greek marble over the centuries, as well as the new possibilities for marble processing by Greek companies to provide material high-end international projects.
Enterprise Greece and the Association of Marble Businesses of Macedonia-Thrace (SEMMTH) collaborated to strengthen the identity of this emblematic sector for Greek exports and increase the added value of the final product.
The Marble Association of Macedonia -Thrace participates in the Natural Stone Strategic Alliance in the framework of which the Associations representing countries with top production and exporting activity work closely together for the strategic development of the sector. The Alliance, including Greece, Brazil, the United States, Spain, Italy and Portugal, is participating in StonExpo,
Last year, the first live event of TISE following the pandemic offered took place a total exhibition area of 302,748 ft² and was attended by 475 exhibitors. Greek enterprises will have the opportunity to network with many buyers, build relationships and develop their businesses with some of the strongest enterprises in the industry during the three days of the Exhibition.
Enterprise Greece is the official investment and trade promotion agency of the Greek state, under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its mission is to facilitate foreign investment in Greece and to promote the export of Greek products and services abroad.
The Greek Marble Association of Macedonia-Thrace, founded in 1972, is based in Kavala, Greece, representing the Greek marble industry. Its 75 members includes the largest and most-important marble companies in Greece, with a combined annual turnover constituting more than 85% of the total turnover in the country’s sector and 98% of profitability.
A total of 670 companies are active in the Greek marble industry, which directly employs 6,500 employees while total participation in employment amounts to 18,000 employees.
