MIA, BSI Set October Study Tour in Vermont

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) and the Building Stone Institute (BSI) are getting together this fall in the mountains of Vermont – to look at marble. (And granite.)

The two association will join for the first time in hosting a quarry-and-production study tour on Oct. 24-25, using Vermont’s capital city of Montpelier as a base.  

The tour will include stops at several Vermont marble and granite quarries, a tour of a historic cemetery, visits to Barre, Vt.-based stone companies and a tour of the Vermont Marble Museum.

A closing dinner involving both organizations will be held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier on Oct. 25. Local areas stone artisans and other stone industry affiliates from the Barre Granite Association will also be invited.

“This is just an exciting opportunity for two industry groups to work together on a common goal,” says BSI Executive Vice President Jane Bennett.

MIA Vice President Jim Hieb adds that, “We’ve previously held two successful events in Vermont and the addition of our BSI friends has all the makings of the October 2011 event being the best Vermont study tour yet.”

The tour is $249 for MIA members and $349 for non-members, with registration forms available here. Lodging is available in Montpelier at the Comfort Inn & Suites at Maplewood; call 802- 229-2222 and ask for the Marble Institute block of rooms. Reservations must be made by Sept. 23.

The BSI will have a reserved block of rooms at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. Registration information from the BSI is still pending for its members.