FAQs for Building Stone Institute members about a consolidation with MIA
Q: Board operation. The MIA full board currently only meets 2 times per year: face-to-face at
StonExpo and also in July. Otherwise, only the MIA Executive Committee members meet at any
regular interval. The BSI full board meets 11 times per year with at least 2 face-to-face opportunities.
How will the new transitional board operate?
A: If approved the first meeting of a transitional board will be Jan. 2016 at StonExpo. It is planned that
at least for the two-year transition period, the entire 21 member transitional board will meet monthly by
phone as needed. From there, the transitional board will decide the format of future board operations.
Q: The majority of MIA membership is fabricators of mostly dimensional, interior stone work –
countertops, kitchens and baths – or large block and slab producers. How will BSI members who are
predominately domestic building stone quarries and fabrication facilities crafting exterior stone
veneers and landscaping materials be assured the needs of their operations are heard, understood
and served in a large consolidated association?
A: The Board makeup of a consolidated organization will insure a balanced representation and voice for
each major segment of our industry. Beyond that, special Advocacy Groups will be created for the
segments that will serve as advisory councils to identify special needs that will inform future program
and services developments. The most impactful way to preserve your own position in our industry and in
a consolidated entity is to engage in committee or advocacy group work, and continue to attend and
participate at events.
Q: MIA has a lot of international members where BSI is nearly all domestic producers/suppliers. How
will the smaller domestic operations continue to be important in a much larger organization?
A: Basically, the same answer as previous question. If you want to make an impact within your industry
and your stone association you need to get involved and participate. If you were active and engaged in
the BSI, you will find numerous meaningful ways to remain active and engaged in a consolidated
organization. And ultimately, those who are most involved eventually become the governance.
Q: What happens to BSI staff Jane Bennett and Kayla Carlozzi in a consolidation of the BSI+MIA?
A: The NY office will remain BSI staff but will also operate as a remote operation of the consolidated
organization based in Ohio, and will remain the liaison to the existing BSI organization. Job
responsibilities for this office will likely include continued oversight of Building Stone Magazine, a new
website, both awards programs, events such as annual study tours and conventions along with
additional roles in the promotion of natural stone and association governance. There will be expanded
opportunities for managing special advocacy groups for the many different segments of the natural
stone industry as a means to better understand the needs of each. Programs and services to serve those
needs will develop.
FAQs on Consolidation of BSI and MIA
It is important to mention that MIA already successfully operates a secondary site location regarding its
Technical Committee and as a consolidated group - due to advancement in technology - this will become
increasingly easier over time and necessary to develop the right team.
New employment contracts through the two year transitional period will be generated for both Jane and
Kayla and re-evaluated for 2018 and beyond.
Q: How is the existing BSI culture of intimacy and fun going to be preserved in a larger, consolidated
organization?
A: The socialization that BSI members currently enjoy during our Annual Meeting/Conventions and Study
Tours will continue in a consolidated organization. Immediate plans call for continued annual events
along with other regionalized opportunities for members to engage and “plug in” as participants. As long
as our existing BSI members continue to attend these events, the opportunities for socializing and
intimate, cross-industry interaction will be preserved. Kayla and Jane will continue to plan and host these
events, and will remain accessible to our members.
Annual trade shows like StonExpo (TISE West), Coverings and even Marmomacc/Veronafiere are further
opportunities for social activities beyond happy hours. A fun, off-site activity will be planned for the 2016
StonExpo event – which will be the launch of the consolidated organization – if consolidation is the vote
of our respective memberships.
Q: We currently give Continuing Education to AIA and ASLA professionals through the BSI at no
additional charge. The MIA charges their members to participate in their CES program. Are we now
going to have to pay to give that education now?
A: At least through 2016 in the transitional period, BSI members may continue to give their education
programs at no additional charge. MIA annual dues for 2016 will be $910 + 2%, or $928.20. BSI annual
dues remain $1000. New members will join the consolidated entity at $1000. MIA currently charges
$350 annually plus $50 annually per instructor and $50 per session from MIA members enrolled in their
Continuing Education program. That gives them the same benefit as BSI members in having credits
recorded and certificates generated by their MIA staff. They also have access to more than a dozen MIAdeveloped CEU power points and teaching aides. In 2016, if interested, BSI members can pay the MIA
CEU program fees to also enjoy access to their prepared presentations and other benefits. See the MIA
website for all that their fee covers.
Even with the BSI’s limited member use of our CEU programs, there is considerable work involved and
fees associated with administering the programs, especially with regard to custom programs, and not to
mention potential development of new programs for all members to use. The MIA has also counted on
this revenue stream to fund program development and additional staff to administer and train. It is
likely that some fee will be established going forward with sensitivity given to both sides. For 2017, the
transitional board will decide how a consolidated organization would format the CEU program and fees.
FAQs on Consolidation of BSI and MIA
Q: For several months a joint MIA+BSI task force discussed what economic, technology, regulatory,
and natural stone trends are impacting the natural stone industry. How did this review shape the task
force member's perspectives about the value of consolidation?
A. The task force offered six perspectives:
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We all want to be relevant: This is not about the past it's about the future of the INDUSTRY.
We forge inclusiveness for the totality of the INDUSTRY by being collaborative, innovative, and
providing widespread opportunities.
Jack Welch Transitional Leader, GE "Change before you have too!"
Utilize resources more efficiently and effectively to strengthen the STONE INDUSTRY to address
these forces (economy, technology, trends, regulations)
We need to do more with less due to the economic and regulatory changes and need to become
pre-emptive as it relates to threat of competing products a well our own threat of not taking action.
Joining forces eliminates duplicative efforts and affords us the ability to tackle the big issues in a
consolidated (unified) effort to enable adjustment to the changes or shifts in the industry quickly.
Q: In joining forces what are some key initiatives that will be undertaken in the consolidated
organization?
A. First, it is important to remember that the most relevant benefits currently enjoyed by members
(safety training outlines, technical support, the Dimension Stone Design Manual, suppliers discounts at
StonExpo, accreditation, networking opportunities, access to business documents, annual meetings,
awards programs and much more) will continue. In addition to these excellent programs, the MIA+BSI
will focus on adding the following programs:
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Expansion of new safety training guidelines (best practices) about quarrying/producers and the
fabrication of heavy cube items. These resources will build on an extensive library of resources
already available to fabricators and slab distributors.
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Additions to the design manual with sections on thin stone, landscaping, and flagstone
installations. These new chapters will be added upon completion of DSDM v8 which includes
substantial improvements to sections about restoration and maintenance.
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Launch of a Natural Stone Promotional Campaign to advocate the use of the natural stone with
consumers and the design community, as well as providing tools for members to use in their own
marketing efforts.
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Development of a Legislative Outreach program to better equip industry with resources to
address regulatory and other government relations.
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Online learning expansiveness and heavy promotion to the A&E community of technical
standards, "best practices", and other educational opportunities.
Q: Both organizations are active in the Natural Stone Council (NSC). How will the consolidation impact
the NSC?
A: For those unfamiliar with the NSC, it is a collaboration of trade associations that have joined forces to
promote the use of natural stone in commercial, residential, government, institutional, educational and
all types of applications interior and exterior. Most recently, it completed work together on a
sustainability standard for natural stone – NSC 373.
FAQs on Consolidation of BSI and MIA
The MIA+BSI will continue to support the NSC as the platform to get together and discuss common goals
amongst the various stone associations serving the U.S. market.
This support also includes joint efforts at the annual American Institute of Architects (AIA) trade show,
joint reception at TISE West, and continued promotion of the sustainability standard.
Q: If this isn't an immediate consolidation, how long will the MIA and BSI operate as a joint venture
association?
A: The MIA+BSI will operate for 2-years which should be sufficient time to consolidate operations and
focus attention on the desired results.
Each independent board will remain intact throughout the 2 year transitional period. Board meetings
may still be required by each entity irrespective of the new entity to ensure proper governance to the
extent deemed necessary within each association. However, individual association meetings will likely be
less frequent.
In short, both the MIA and BSI will continue to exist during this 2-year period, however, all resources
available will be focused on consolidating operations and strategy. The desired result is that the two
organizations would officially/legally become one organization after the 2-year test period.
Q: How can members learn more about the process and ask questions?
A. Several communications and articles will be made available in the fall of 2015 to educate members
about the proposed transition. Town hall meetings will be held at TISE East and at the BSI-MIA Fall Study
Tour. Look for more announcements in the upcoming weeks.
FAQs on Consolidation of BSI and MIA