MIA Releases 2015 Awards Program Call for Entries

Words: Dan KamysThe Marble Institute of America (MIA) has opened its 2015 Awards Program Call for Entries. The Call for Entries signifies that the MIA is now accepting entries for their various awards. These highly coveted awards honor and recognize natural stone companies, natural stone professionals, and architects from around the globe. Tiffany Aryeh of Amalfi Stone & Masonry, Inc. in Sun Valley, CA commented on the significance of winning a Pinnacle Award. “Being a recipient of the coveted Pinnacle Award is a dream come true. It is such an honor to be amongst so much talent and be part of a group of projects that represents exceptional stone work around the globe.” The 2015 MIA Awards consists of:
  • Pinnacle Awards - presented to companies whose projects’ beauty, creativity, ingenuity, and craftsmanship exemplify professional mastery in the use of natural stone in commercial and residential environments. Again this year, with the generous support of Informa Exhibitions, all Pinnacle Award of Excellence and Merit winners have the opportunity to invite an architect from the firm involved in their winning project to StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas 2016. The Pinnacle Awards consist of 6 separate categories:
      • Commercial Interior — sponsored by MAPEI
      • Commercial Exterior — sponsored by MAPEI
      • Residential Interior/Exterior — sponsored by GranQuartz
      • Kitchen of the Year (NEW THIS YEAR) sponsored by GranQuartz
      • Bath of the Year (NEW THIS YEAR) sponsored by GranQuartz
      • Renovation/Restoration — sponsored by Coldspring
  • Grande Pinnacle Award - sponsored by Marmomac is presented to the best project across all categories. Again this year Marmomacc will present a Grande Pinnacle Award to an architect from the firm involved in the winning project.
  • Natural Stone Craftsman of the Year Award - sponsored by Polycor, Inc. & TexaStone Quarries singles out one craftsman who has physically performed outstanding stone fabrication and/or installation over a period of many years.
  • Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement - established to recognize an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to the natural stone industry and the MIA. The award is named for MIA's long-time Technical Director, the late Vincent R. Migliore, who was its first recipient.
  • Natural Stone Scholarship Award - sponsored by Coldspring provides educational opportunities for aspiring fabricators, installers, or administrative apprentices interested in furthering their careers within the natural stone industry. The scholarship covers travel and registration costs for one or more recipients to StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, and MIA's Annual Meeting.
To acquire Call for Entries, contact Helen Distelhorst at hdistelhorst@marble-institute.com or log on to www.marble-institute.com/awards/awards-overview. Deadlines begin in June. Apply today!
When Schedules Tighten, Experience Shows
May 2026

In construction, schedules rarely open up; they tighten. Weather delays, trade coordination, and last-minute scope changes all add pressure, even on jobs that were planned down to the minute. When that happens, experienced masons don’t start cutting corne

Jeff Tew
MAP Partner
Read More
Five Truths About Final Brick Cleandown
May 2026

Not all truths are self-evident. Sometimes they’re easy to forget or clouded with misunderstanding. The good news is these truths of final cleandown are not hard to implement on your next project to ensure successfully cleaned and beautiful new brick.

Jake Boyer
MAP Partner
Read More
Shelf Angles and Their Impact on Wall Performance
May 2026

Shelf angles have long been a standard component in masonry construction. Installed at the slab edge, they provide support for brick veneer and are often treated as a routine detail. However, as building performance requirements evolve, particularly aroun

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More
Registration Now Open for the 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting in San Antonio, Texas
May 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting, set to take place in San Antonio, Texas. This exciting event is scheduled from September 13th-1

Industry News
Read More