Marmomac 2023 in Review

This year, we visited the Marmomac stone show in Verona, Italy where we saw some of the most beautiful marble, granite, and natural stone from all over the world. Marmomac saw 47,000 visitors from 138 countries, making it a trade show with an exceptionally heavy international focus.

The sprawling show stunned with indoor and outdoor exhibits that ranged from more standard booths to gallery-style spaces that displayed natural stones in unique and artistic ways.

Progetto Arte Poli took inspiration from the Renaissance with their use of marble busts and dramatic stained glass pieces. The Marble Whisperer works directly with Tuscan craftsmen to complete custom projects for any space. Finally, the Brazilian stone we saw in the It’s Natural – Brazil Pavilion was absolutely stunning and demonstrated why Brazilian stone specifically is so special.

A Matter of Stone

A Matter of Stone was a curated pavilion by Elle Decor Italia, showcasing some of the most innovative craftsmanship in the stone industry. Below are some companies which took part in this pavilion.

Elle Decor Italia chooses to explore the theme of materials, from marble to stone, from three different perspectives: architecturally, developed through supplies and contract realizations; through interiors, surface design, claddings, and fixed furnishings; and through design, from limited editions to industrial products.

The “It’s Natural – Brazil” Pavilion

The focus was on Brazilian stone at this year’s show with a record-breaking number of companies participating in the pavilion. The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), with support from It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone and the Brazilian Center of Ornamental Stones Exporters (Centrorochas), organized the pavilion, which boasted 43 exhibitors and attracted visitors from all over the world. The presentation aptly called “The Unique World of Brazilian Natural Stones” captivated show visitors with booths displaying the geologically diverse stones that come from the 4th largest producer of stone in the world. The presentation was led by Fabio Cruz, vice president of Centrorochas, and Project Manager Rogério Ribeiro.

Amongst the various stone companies we saw at Marmomac, it is clear why Brazil stands out and is one of the world’s top exporters of stone.

Show-Stopping Booths

The Pettrus booth was a show-stopper, displaying its Brazilian stone in an unusual and fascinating way. We walked inside the Pettrus booth to find more of its beautiful stone; covering floor to ceiling. Pettrus displayed an emotionally charged video about their brand and Brazil. They cast the video with a projector, illuminating the beautiful stone. It was an immersive and powerful experience and an aspirational take on the traditional trade show booth.

Next, we visited Nikolaus Spa, which felt more like a modern art exhibit than a booth. In 1948, Nicola Bagnara founded a small stone mason company in Northern Italy. Today, it is one of the most successful international stone companies in the world. The company articulated its prestige through its booth design. It won the “A Matter of Stone,” award for the most stand-out booth in its pavilion.

We are excited to visit Marmomac again next year! We look forward to seeing some of these beautiful stone companies grow in the North American market.