‘Women in Stone’ Makes LV Debut

LAS VEGAS – More than 60 women joined together May 1 to initiate the new Women in Stone group from the Marble Institute of America.

Click photo to enlargeThe networking reception at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, held during Coverings 2014, marks the start of the MIA’s effort to retain and advance women who have chosen a career in the stone industry, as well as to recruit new women into the industry.

“The Women in Stone launch was a tremendous success!” says co-chair Brie Pfannenbecker of Connecticut Stone Supplies Inc. “Out of all of the wonderful happenings at Coverings, the Women in Stone event is the one I have talked about the most since returning home.”

The Women in Stone initiative will work to increase the number of networking opportunities available to women; expand on existing educational offerings; and create opportunities to serve on key industry committees.

The next face-to-face Women in Stone event is set for The International Surface Event East 2014 in Miami Beach, Fla., on Oct. 19.

Coldspring’s Kathy Spanier discussed the long term effects of this effort.

“This is an exciting initiative that has lots of positive energy and momentum,” says Coldspring’s Kathy Spanier, “to become a resource for women to broaden perspective (personal) through meaningful strategic connections at any level of their career so they can reach their full potential and accelerate or enhance their career growth.”

“There is beauty in a woman whose confidence comes from experience, a woman who knows she can fall & pick herself up,” adds Allyson Humphries of Walker Zanger. “The quiet confidence of the more-than 60 women who attended the MIA- WIS Event was inspiring. I am so eager to keep up the momentum and engage other women in our industry.”

The event also featured some impromptu celebration, as captured by this video.

The networking reception was sponsored by Polycor, which also supports the overall initiative along with Blick Industries, Hanley Wood, OHM International, Rock of Ages and TexaStone Quarries.

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