Surfaces and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas are set to help attendees and exhibitors alike to overcome any obstacle that may come in a business- and skill-building setting. Both exhibitions, to be held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Jan. 26-28, 2011, with conferences beginning on Jan. 25, 2011, are offering an Opening General Session with a “compelling and empowering message” delivered by Aron Ralston, author of the New York Times best-selling book Between a Rock and a Hard Place, focusing on perseverance, goal-attaining and overcoming adversity.

“There couldn’t be a better choice than Aron Ralston to launch the inauguration of an Opening General Session at StonExpo and SURFACES,” says Gary Distelhorst, executive vp and ceo of Marble Institute of America (MIA). “His story is one of true grit, guts, focus and fortitude, and is a lesson everyone can learn from as we emerge from the worst recession to hit our businesses in recent memory.” Gary continues, “A lot of us feel we are, or have been, ‘between a rock and a hard place’ the last couple years, and yet what we’ve gone through pales in comparison to what Aron endured. This session is one you cannot miss and may be worth a trip to Las Vegas by itself.”

The shows will offer separate conference programs focusing on the unique needs of each trade. The two events will also have separate entrances into the exhibit hall. Attendees are free to visit exhibits of both shows.

For more information on StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, visitwww.stonexpo.com. For more information on Surfaces, visitwww.surfaces.com.