NUREMBERG, Germany – Stone+tec, the biennial event focusing on European stone and fabrication technology, will welcome some 40,000 visitors here from May 20-23.



The trade show, at the Exhibition Centre in the southern part of this Bavarian city, will feature five trade halls with more than 1,000 exhibitors focusing on stone quarriers, distributors and services for maintenance of natural stone. An additional three halls feature equipment and technology for quarrying, fabrication and installation of stone products.



The event also features several educational opportunities, including Laying and Experiencing Natural Stone on May 20; Innovations for the Stonemasonry Trade on May 21; and Natural Stone Architects Forum on May 22.



Some of the best natural-stone work in Germany will also be honored during the event, with the presentation of the Peter Parler Award on May 21 during “Stone Craft Day,” and the announcement of the 14th German Natural Stone Award during “Architecture Day” on May 22.



In 2007, during the last staging of Stone+tec, the event drew 41,084 attendees and 963 exhibitors. It also brought in an international crowd; 28 percent of the attendees and two-thirds of the exhibitors came from outside Germany.



And, more than 60 percent of the attendees in 2007 said they’d make plans to attend this year’s event.



Stone+tec 2009 will open at 9 a.m. (0900 in Germany’s 24-hour time system) daily until 6 p.m. (1800) during the weekdays, and until 5 p.m. (1700) on the final day. Attendees should note that the largest crowds will likely be on May 21 – Ascension Day (Himmelfahrt) – which is a German public holiday (and that most shops and public services will be closed on that day, too).