The first 2010 educational event for the Marble Institute of America (MIA) – “Business Success for Fabricators – Don’t Let Revenue Slip Away!" – will take place here on March 11.

Slated for the MCA Systems Design Center, the day-long session is targeted to business owners, fabrication supervisors/managers, marketing professionals and other employees identified for succession planning within a company.

The seminar will offer insights on:

• Analyzing the cost of doing business;

• Benchmarks for financial performance (including executive summaries of the 2007 and 2009 fabricator financial benchmarking surveys produced on behalf of the MIA);

• Equipment needs;

• Techniques and tips for templating, fabrication, and installation; and

• Marketing your company.

In addition, an afternoon breakout session will address natural-stone use in commercial projects, led by Rodney Harvey of Dallas-based Curtain Wall Design and Consulting Inc.

The instructor line-up for the event also includes GK Naquin of Stone Interiors in Loxley, Ala.; John Cogswell of Cogswell Stone in Palmyra, Va.; and Todd Robertson of Vermont Quarries Corp. in Rutland, Vt.

The cost is $99 per person, including lunch; and, in a three-for-two deal, any group with two paid registrations can bring an additional person at no charge. Companies joining the MIA also receive no-charge registrations if they meet certain criteria.

The host committee for the event includes MCA Systems, Architectural Tile & Stone, Arizona Tile Supply, Cangelosi Company, Delta Granite & Marble Inc., Designer Stone Center, International Stoneworks Inc., Schlitzberger Stone Designs Inc., Stone Store Ltd. and Texas Tile Services.