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 Registration Now Open for June Fabricator Forum in Sacramento, CaliforniaISFA’s first Fabricator Forum of the year was a huge success. The event, which took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, included presentations and roundtable discussions on silica safety, empowering employees to become problem solvers, tooling best practices for porcelain and Dekton, and leveraging artificial intelligence. The next event will be held June 11-13 in Sacramento, California. Registration is now open. These regional events, formerly known as Industry Roundtables, include expert-led presentations, peer-to-peer discussions, facility tours and networking opportunities. Educational topics include silica safety, fabrication and repair techniques for porcelain and other sintered materials, using artificial intelligence to tap into growth opportunities, carving out additional lines of revenue and other business best practices.
“We first learned about silica at an ISFA event nearly ten years ago,” said Troy Page of Ellis Page Company. “The silica presentation and overview included some updates that helped me identify some places we might have exposure. I recommend these fabricator forums; there were so many great takeaways at the Charlotte event.”
“The Charlotte Fabricator Forum was a huge success,” said Marissa Bankert, executive director of ISFA. “The content is curated to help fabricators improve their businesses in multiple ways, including actionable insights they can use immediately. And with concerns about silica on the rise — especially in California — we’re looking forward to educating fabricators about developing regulations and helping them break down barriers to compliance. Silica safety is worker safety, and ISFA is here to help all fabricators learn about the issue and develop a plan of action.” ISFA Fabricator Forums are open to all fabricators, including nonmembers, and registration starts at $300. Registration includes all programming and meals listed on the agenda. Space is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve their spot as soon as possible. LEARN MORE & REGISTERGot an issue in your business that's weighing you down? Tell us about it and we'll consider adding it to an upcoming event, virtual or in person. ISFA aims to provide the tools and resources you need to break down barriers in your business. If you've got a problem, we've got answers! SUBMIT AN IDEAISFA Appoints New Membership DirectorISFA is pleased to announce the appointment of Heather Duve as its new membership director. In this role, Heather will lead the association in driving membership growth and retention, as well as contribute to the development of events, programs, groups, resources and other initiatives.
Before her time at WQA, she held positions in member services for various associations, including the Urgent Care Association of America. Heather earned her degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University, and she maintains a Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives. “I am thrilled to join the ISFA team,” said Duve. “And I’m looking forward to applying my expertise to drive membership growth and engagement through the strategic development of the value proposition and the creation and expansion of programs and resources that support fabricators and other industry professionals. I continuously seek innovative methods to enhance the member experience, and my dedication to delivering exceptional customer service is unwavering.” LEARN MOREFabricators Eye Growth Opportunities by Upskilling with Solid SurfaceISFA was in San Antonio, Texas, for another Solid Surface Fabrication Training class this week. With shops in attendance from Alaska to Dallas, this two-day training course is designed to help those in the industry who are unfamiliar with solid surface fabrication learn best practices and get hands-on with the material and the tools used to fabricate it. “More and more clients are asking for solid surface material,” admitted Greg Routt of Lonestar Stone and Construction. “We want to stay ahead and expand what we can offer as a company.”
ISFA’s executive director, Marissa Bankert, joined the San Antonio training hosted at Gecko Solid Surface Solutions. It was her first opportunity to see the class firsthand and connect with some of the association’s newest members. “Most of the attendees are currently working with other materials such as stone and quartz,” said Bankert. “But considering the viability of solid surface in commercial applications, there’s a growth opportunity for these fabricators to extend their offerings.” That was the prevailing sentiment of many in attendance, along with the desire to keep up their education as fabricators overall. A special thanks to our 2024 Solid Surface Fabrication Training sponsors, Aristech Surfaces, Integra Adhesives, BB Industries, and especially our trainer, Aaron Davis, for being dedicated to the success of fabricators everywhere. The next Solid Surface Fabrication Training session will be June 4-5 in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania, which will include an expanded session on thermoforming. Stay tuned for more details. Coverings Wraps in Atlanta; Industry Event Attracts Over 25K AttendeesCoverings, the largest international tile and stone exhibition in North America, took place last week in Atlanta. ISFA was in attendance to promote the association and provide members with educational resources and networking opportunities. The renowned four-day event delivered impressive tile displays, industry insights and more through a lineup of special programming and show floor features that stretched throughout the expansive exhibit space. “The exhibits at Coverings were incredible,” said ISFA’s Marissa Bankert. “And it was so great to connect with ISFA members who stopped by the booth or attended our presentations at the Fabricator Stage.” More than 25,000 international showgoers flocked to Atlanta for the event; thousands of architects, designers, contractors, distributors and other industry professionals were in attendance, taking part in onsite activities, live demonstrations, show floor tours, and interactive programs provided hands-on experiences and real-time solutions for all applicable industry segments. Fabricators find the machinery and new product displays of most interest, along with educational sessions.
The four key tenets of Coverings 2024 – Health & Wellness, Sustainability, Outdoor Spaces and Timeless Luxury – were highlighted throughout the show. Communal activations, imaginative displays and relevant market trends showcased each tenet and provided attendees with distinctive experiences emphasizing tile and stone’s many uses. The ISFA booth was near the center of the action for fabricators with proximity to the Fabricator Stage, which offered three full days of education on business and industry trends. The topic of safety was at the forefront.
“I had a great time at Coverings,” added Heather Duve, membership director. “This was my first chance to meet members and partners in person and learn more about the industry. I have navigated many exhibit halls throughout my association career, but Coverings was beyond my expectations. It offered a look at an industry that is innovative and artistic and, at the same time, relies heavily on technology.” Silica Safety: ISFA Weighs in When Forbes Asks, 'Are America's Favorite Countertops Going Away?'For years, designers and specifiers have been recommending quartz countertops as way to elevate any space. Writer and Designer Jamie Gold, who frequently covers wellness design and housing trends, looked beneath the surface to discover that engineered stone has a dangerous side. Are America's favorite countertops putting those who fabricate the material at risk? Now she wonders, "As designers and homeowners — particularly Millennials and Generation Z — weigh human issues more than ever in product selection, this becomes a powerful consideration. It is too for regulators here and abroad, as new worker safety rules and even a national ban go into effect." READ THE ARTICLETechnistone, A Subsidiary of Wilsonart, Vows To Stop Doing Business with Noncompliant FabricatorsAccording to KBB Review, Czech-based quartz manufacturer Technistone will stop supplying materials to fabricators who dry cut slabs, in the wake of ongoing controversy about the safety of engineered stone. The company, a subsidiary of Wilsonart, said that its new policy reaffirms its commitment to the safety of its workers and the wider industry as a whole. Despite countries such as Australia banning the product outright, companies and organizations still stress that the material is safe and responsible to use so long as safety protocols are observed. Following the Australian government’s decision, Caesarstone released a business update stating, “the products are safe to fabricate under safe working practices.” Technistone has said that going forward, it will not supply its materials to those who don’t cut engineered stone slabs using wet cutting techniques. It added that this decision is in line with its commitment to safety standards within the industry. ISFA Fabricator Profile:
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Before joining ISFA, Duve served as the membership and development director at the Water Quality Association (WQA), an Illinois-based organization representing the point-of-use, point-of-entry water treatment industry in the United States. During her tenure, she oversaw membership recruitment and retention initiatives, facilitated member support and spearheaded sponsorship recruitment for WQA events.
Humble Beginnings
