MIA ‘Immersion’ a Success

 

CLEVELAND – The Marble Institute of America (MIA) made a day of it late last month with its first Accreditation Program Immersion Course.

200 MIAClick photo to enlargeHeld on April 29 in Las Vegas during Coverings 2014, the all-day program gave companies interested in accreditation the opportunity to learn about the application, participate in a review of the exam material, and take the accreditation exam.

The program background information and exam material review were conducted in the morning, while the five-hour, open-book exam was administered in the afternoon.

Rodney Harvey, chair of the MIA Accreditation Commission, facilitated the program.

“I was impressed by the level of interest and passion for the stone industry shown by the Accreditation Immersion participants at Coverings 2014,” Harvey said. “The feedback from the candidates was extremely valuable; we (MIA Accreditation Commission) learned from the event and plan to apply the knowledge gained to the betterment of the program.”

Jon Lancto of the MIA Board of Directors, meanwhile, sat in for a panel discussion.

“The accreditation immersion course was a great way for fabricators and commercial contractors to prepare for and take the test,” Lancto said. “We also got great feedback from the attendees that will make future immersion courses stronger.”

In a sampling of attendee reaction:

  • “It was very informational. I learned a lot.”
  • “I love that the test was difficult. It covered many areas that I don’t deal with that often, but that is a good thing. Keep it tough!”
  • “The course was a great experience. I had been wanting to get accredited for years, but the opportunity to sit for the test before making any real financial commitment was what pushed me over the edge. So happy I did it!”

The MIA plans to conduct similar courses at StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas East in Miami this October and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas West in Las Vegas next January, along with other sites.

MIA Accreditation for natural stone fabricators and commercial contractors recognizes those companies that meet the industry’s highest standards for business activities, product knowledge, fabrication and installation. To earn MIA Accreditation, a company must complete an intensive, rigorous process that includes documentation of its business and employment practices, letters of recommendation, a written examination and site visits to the facility and completed jobs.

Currently there are over 70 MIA Accredited Natural Stone Fabricators and over 10 MIA Accredited Commercial Contractors in the United States and Canada. To learn more about the program and upcoming immersion classes, visit www.marble-institute.com/accreditation.

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