(Washington, DC – March 24, 2010) -- The twelfth edition of “Designing with Natural Stone” will run from September 27 - October 2, 2010 in Verona, Italy, in conjunction with MARMOMACC, the world’s leading trade show for stone and design. More than 175 architects from all over the U.S. have participated in previous editions of the course. Scholarship applications for this year’s course will be accepted until July 15th. Veronafiere offers this course to help architects learn advanced techniques in the use of marble, granite and other stone materials. The program is a unique combination of classroom lectures, guided architectural tours, and field trips to local quarries, as well as to natural stone processing facilities. This comprehensive approach enables architects to better understand stone’s full life-cycle -- including how marble is quarried, cut, processed, finished, selected for specific jobs and installed, all using the latest technologies and products. The 2010 edition will include visits to a Botticino Marble quarry and a nearby stone processing plant, a case study on the stone use in the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, and an architectural tour of Verona. Sustainable design (SD) became a principal focus of the course in 2008. A minimum of four AIA SD credits will again be offered, including a session on technology and sustainability, and case studies of sustainable projects in stone. In addition, the course provides time to explore MARMOMACC, with its more than 1,500 exhibitors of stone and stone-related products from around the world. “Designing with Natural Stone” has been recognized by the AIA as a “Best Practices and Trends” educational program. Comments from last year’s students support this judgment: - “The week-long experience was great. What I particularly enjoyed was learning about new products and technologies now being used for stone. I will certainly utilize what I learned in my future work.” Saverio Manago – Michael Graves & Associates (Princeton, NJ) - “I’ve been attending and preparing seminars for my AIA chapter for more than 10 years and the concept of having a specialized seminar throughout an entire week is the best continuing education I’ve ever received. I now possess a broader knowledge of natural stone and feel more confident in choosing the right type of stone for my projects.” Alberto Lastra – Rivera & Lastra (San Juan, PR) - “I feel that the mixture of lectures, presentations, tours and hands-on was just right. I had a marvelous week, met a lot of interesting people and hope that I can continue to be involved with this group and with the program.” Thomas McCabe -- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (New York, NY) Participants earn approximately 20 AIA/CES learning-unit hours. Many classes also count as HSW credits and four as SD credits. The class is limited to 30 architects, 16 from the U.S., the others from Canada, the U.K., South Africa, India, Vietnam, Singapore and Australia. Scholarships – covering tuition, hotels and meals – are awarded on a competitive basis, based on a candidate’s demonstrated interest in the field, responsibilities within their firm, and experience with stone. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to Verona as well as a $450 registration fee. Those interested should fax or e-mail to the address below their curriculum vitae and a cover letter specifying why they wish to take part in the course. The deadline for submitting applications is July 15th. Please send applications to: Toni Paniagua, The Consultants International Group: 1616 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, fax: (202) 393-4655, e-mail: info@cig-dc.com

Don Jacob to Share Methods for Increasing Data Consumption through PDF Pasadena, CA (March 16, 2010) Bluebeam® Software VP of Engineering Don Jacob is speaking at the 10th Annual FIATECH Technology Conference & Showcase. Every year, FIATECH brings together the brightest minds in the design, engineering and construction industries to discuss leading technologies and processes for advancing building solutions. This year’s conference is taking place March 29th – 31st at the University of Texas at Austin. Don’s educational session titled “Communicating the Critical Design Elements - 2D & 3D; What's the ‘Right D’?” will explore the role that PDF and other 2D file formats play in Building Information Modeling (BIM). “As the building industry rapidly integrates design information into 3D models, we’re running into obstacles in terms of the usability and consumption of 3D data downstream,” said Don. “I invite FIATECH attendees to join me for an open discussion about the best ways to leap over these hurdles with 2D formats such as PDF.” FIATECH attendees can attend this educational session on Wednesday, March 31st at 10:45 a.m. Don will also be on-hand to answer further questions throughout the three-day FIATECH Showcase, where Bluebeam Software will be exhibiting. Registration for FIATECH is open and can be accessed online. For more information about Bluebeam Software and its PDF creation, markup and editing solutions for the architecture, engineering and construction professionals go to www.bluebeam.com.

Marmomacc will be present at the Triennale in Milan in viale Alemagna 6, Sala Lab, from April 14th to 19th 2010, h. 10am-10pm with the exhibition “Hybrid and Flexible”. EXHIBITION “HYBRID AND FLEXIBLE” On show Marmomacc Meets Design’s projects, developed by internationally known designers and companies of the marble sector. Exhibit curated by Cibic Workshop. Designers and companies involved: Patricia Urquiola with Budri, Marco Piva with Cava Romana, Marta Laudani and Marco Romanelli with Consorzio Pietre & Dintorni, Luca Scacchetti with Grassi Pietre, James Irvine with Marsotto, Michele De Lucchi with MGM Furnari, Philippe Nigro with Pibamarmi, Aldo Cibic with Santa Margherita, Tobia Scarpa with Testi Fratelli.