April 15, 2010 - Elk Grove Village, IL

Business Success for Fabricators
Marketing Your Company in Today's Business Environment

What makes fabrication companies successful? That is the entire focus of this event. This event is broken into two parts:

Morning Session - Business Success for Fabricators
Instructor: Duane Naquin, Stone Interiors

• Analyzing the cost of doing business. Learn more about how adjustments to your operating cost affect your ability to competitively price your product.
• Benchmarks for financial performance. Learn how your company compares to other fabricators (note: you’ll obtain executive summaries of both the 2007 and 2009 fabricator financial benchmarking surveys produced by the Profit Planning Group on behalf of the MIA). A great resource to review with your accountant and management team.
• Discussion on diversifying your operations. Obtain tips to expand your current offering of products and services.
• Equipment needs. Just look at the sponsor list – many of these companies will be attending the seminar. Spend time face-to-face time discussing your needs with them at this event.
• Showcasing techniques and tips for templating, fabrication, and installation. You are bound to pick up a handful of ideas of other fabricators attending the event – well worth the price of admission.
• Marketing your company. Join the discussion about how to position your company and your product with architects, designers, and homeowners. This will include how offering CEUs (continuing education units) to architects and designers is a win-win proposition for your company.

Afternoon Session - Marketing your Company in Today's Business Environment
Instructor: Marty Gould, Focalize Now

• Marketing your Company in Today's Business Environment - All companies in the stone industry are impacted by their current and ongoing marketing and advertising efforts. Business owners and marketing executives are faced with attempting to understand what advertising you need versus want; how to identify an advertiser's best prospects; how to tap into low-cost advertising venues; and how to brand your company. In today’s business environment, you have to be on top of your game. This seminar includes:
  • Positioning your company online so it dominates google searches
  • Getting your advertising directly to consumers who are ready to buy
  • Streamlining your marketing and advertising efforts with proven solutions & much more
  • Discussions about Brand Identify & much more.

Target Audience :
Business owners, fabrication supervisors/managers, marketing professionals, and other employees identified for succession planning within your company.

Welcome from the Chicago Host Committee!
The host committee is comprised of over one dozen Chicago area stone companies who are working diligently to make this seminar a success. Plan on joining them at this industry event.

Handout - Coming Soon!

Event Site:

M S International, Inc.
901 Greemlead Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL  60007
(847) 437-6010
www.msistone.com

Host Hotel:
Holiday Inn - Elk Grove Village
1000 Busse Road
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone: 847-437-6010

Registration Costs:
$99 (Register 3 people and the 3rd registration is free after two paid registrations of $99/each)

Registration Reminder:

• Earn a $25 bookstore credit — Each attendee will receive a $25 credit for items from the MIA bookstore. Credit will be awarded onsite at the seminar.
• Earn two free registrations — non-MIA member companies who join prior to or during the seminar will be able to send two employees to a seminar for Free (a $198 value). For more information about membership, go online to http://www.marble-institute.com/membership/join.cfm or call 440.250.9222 (ask for Jeff Handley).