The mood at Stone+tec Nrnberg 2009, the 16th International Trade Fair Natural Stone and Stoneprocessing Technology held in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 20-23 May, largely corresponded to the early summer weather outside the halls: cloudy, but mainly bright. Some 34,000 trade visitors used the four days of the exhibition to source information about the latest range of international products and services in the exhibition segments of natural stone, technology, and gravestones and accessories.

The exhibition launched in Nrnberg in 1979 again proved to be an outstanding get-together for the central European natural stone industry and a reflection of the sectors involved in its thirtieth year. The present real estate crisis in major sales markets and the drastic social change in burial culture over the past years have left their mark on many companies, which was also apparent at the exhibition.

The general economic conditions were largely outshone by realistic optimism, confidence and drive. New ideas and inspiration were in demand for making sure the old-established material natural stone remains attractive. The range offered in Nrnberg by the approx. 800 exhibitors from more than 40 countries worldwide showed the whole variety of the material and everything necessary for its professional processing, and many visiting experts used the opportunity for investment in the future.

The fourth edition of the seminar series for tilers and slab layers also proved a great attraction for visitors: 200 participants completely filled the lecture hall on the afternoon of the first day of the exhibition. The presentation of the Peter Parler Award for outstanding restoration work and the German Natural Stone Award with exemplary architectural achievements also attracted many visitors to the EventArea in hall 1 of the exhibition centre on the second and third day of the exhibition. Another highlight was the special presentation entitled "Places good for the soul" and the supplementary presentation of a current study by trend researcher Matthias Horx, which were attended by some 300 mayors and cemetery administrators from all over Germany.

The next scheduled Stone+tec takes place in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg again in early summer 2011.