The Natural Stone Show was a great success. Held on 11-13 March 2008, Stone Federation companies took exhibition space around the Stone Federation Village which formed the centrepiece.

Members were able to have refreshments, including tea and coffee (as well as something stronger!) in a seated area where they could meet clients from their stands.

Many of the exhibiting members reported that they had enjoyed the show and had some very fruitful enquiries.

The following Stone Federation members exhibited:

· Albion Stone Plc
· Ardex UK Ltd
· Bath Stone Group
· BRE Ltd
· Caithness Stone Industries Ltd
· B I Crawshaw & Co Ltd
· Ceram
· Creeton Quarry Ltd
· Easipoint Marketing Ltd
· Forest of Dean Stone Firms Ltd
· Guard Industry (UK) Ltd
· Halfen Deha Ltd
· Hardscape Products Ltd
· Harrison Goldman Design Consultants
· Johnson Wellfield Quarries Ltd
· Lithofin
· A J Lopez & Co
· PGW & A LLP
· QMJ Publishing Ltd
· Realstone Ltd
· Sandberg
· Solnhofen Stone Group Gmbh
· Stancliffe Stone Company Ltd
· STATS Ltd
· Stoneguard (London) Ltd
· Stonewest Ltd

The Federation provided training and technical advisors to give information to members and their visitors.

Bath College provided a live demonstration with students working on stone and this invited a lot of interest as a focal point.

The Stone in the City CPD seminar was attended by over 100 delegates ranging from architects to surveyors and clients to students. The speakers were introduced by the Stone Federation President, David Richardson. Bruno Miglio spoke on the Translucent Stone Wall in the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Dr Tim Yates provided some simple pointers to ensure that suitable stone is chosen and used in the most appropriate way. Graham Lee then gave an overview of using stone for new build projects before David Richardson summarised.

Stone Federation had many enquiries for membership at the show, some of which have already been converted into new members.

On the Wednesday evening, the Federation held its first ever Network and Nibbles event where over 50 members and their guests enjoyed a selection of curry, pasta and chilli dishes and drinks whilst networking in the comfortable surroundings of the bar.

This event was so successful that we will be organising another for the next show.

Mandy Core, Sandra Coyne and Linda Priestman from Stone Federation	The Stone Federation stand was the heart of the Stone Village

The stand provided refreshments and a seating area for members	Students from Bath College provided a live demonstration on the stand

Over 100 delegates came along to the Stone in the City presentation	The Network and Nibble event was also very successful

Jane Buxey, Nigel Stubbings and Brian Roach enjoying the evening	Over 50 members and their guests enjoyed a selection of curry, pasta and chilli dishes