Artisan Group hosts first industry trade show

The Artisan Group hosted its first ever industry showcase trade show, during the annual member meeting in Austin, TX. Exhibitors from 17 companies exhibited at the event:

Artisan Group Members attend the first industry showcase

Artisan Group members visit with exhibitors at the showcase

Members and exhibitors enjoy delicious Texas barbecue after the meetings and industry showcase, while they prepare to hear some live music.

Artisan Group members visit during the industry showcase

“The first two hours of the Artisan Group Industry Showcase were better for us than either Coverings or StonExpo,” Ronnie Benton, Granite City Tool director of sales.

Josh and Nikki Stein, along with their four daughters, recent recipients of a Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) home, stopped by to tell the story of how the HFOT home has helped his family have a better life after Josh lost his legs during his Army tour in Afghanistan. Artisan Group held a national granite yard sale last year and raised $32,000 for the organization. The group raised an additional $1500 at a group dinner during the meeting, thanks to a raffle by Yeti Coolers and Kohler, and plans on having its second annual “Counters For A Cause” granite yard sale benefitting HFOT in October.

In typical Texas style, the fabrication shop owners and exhibitors enjoyed some great barbeque and live music from country musician Django Walker, after some very productive planning meetings and a slab yard tour.

Rob Riegler, owner, and Matt Neiger, sales operations manager of Lakeside Solid Surfaces in Michigan, were welcomed as the newest members to the Artisan Group.

Tags: Artisan Group, BLICK INDUSTRIES, Cambria, CRAFT ART, FABRICATOR’S CHOICE, GLUE WAREHOUSE, GRANITE CITY TOOL, Homes For Our Troops, Kohler, LASER PRODUCTS, LIVING STONE, Livingstone, Marble Institute of America, PARK INDUSTRIES, SCMEP, SLABSMITH., STONE PRO, THE AFRICA RANGE, TOTAL ADMINISTRATION GROUP, VT INDUSTRIES