The World Natural Stone Association (WONASA) that was launched last year, held its first meeting of members on 20 September during the Marmomacc exhibition in Verona.

The association now consists of 37 members from 14 countries, many of them the leading companies in the natural stone industry in their respective countries.

In the past 12 months WONASA has held launching events in Poznan (Poland) and in Xiamen (China), explaining its objectives and plan of action in promoting natural stone.

During the Verona meeting the logo of the association was presented to the members. This logo was chosen after an international competition called for with a prize award of US$3,000. Entries were received from several countries and a five member Jury, reflecting the diversity of its members coming from different countries and cultures, made the decision.

The design of the website (www.wonasa.com) was also presented to the members. The website is expected to be launched before the end of the year.

It was also decided to have a WONASA stand in several trade fairs during 2012 as part of its activities.

During the meeting several suggestions and ideas were discussed on how best to educate the professionals of the industry and how to create greater awareness and knowledge of natural stone among key specifies and the general public.

One initiative that was decided on was the creation of a task force headed by Karen Abdulla supported by Leonor Pena, Marilia Margoto, Jaana Palin and Marta Serrat, with the aim of creating a database of leading magazines all over the world focused on home decoration and design that are mostly read by women. To this segment of the media, articles and other information will be sent frequently, presenting natural stone as an eminently desirable luxury consumer product and the best possible alternative material in any home building or renovation.

Wonasa has decided to give the highest priority to sponsoring technical studies in prestigious institutions on aspects such as natural stone as an ecologically green product. A discussion was held on this and many other related themes and the members were informed of the current status of efforts in this direction.

Lines of communication have been opened with different universities and technical institutes in Sweden, Norway, Germany and India.

The President of WONASA, Mr Veeramani, has undertaken to sponsor with his own funds a study on stone behaviour in an earthquake situation.

He highlighted the fact that during earthquake in Kobe (Japan), more than a decade ago, with widespread devastation, it was the buildings made of natural stone that resisted the earthquake best and were least damaged.

Given the current uncertainty in the world economy, the second part of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the situation of the stone industry in the world.

In a highly interactive and vibrant discussion lasting almost an hour, almost all members present made a brief analysis of the situation of the stone industry in their respective countries. The presentations were usually followed by further questions from other members in the audience and the general consensus was that the session was a useful and informative one for everyone present.