Nowadays, considering the material before any other variable seems to have become the prevailing approach to architecture and industrial design. This assumption however only partly explains the exponential success of Marmomac: the most important global event dedicated to stone: marbles, granites, processing technology, applied design and training. The 53th edition is characterised by an even more international slant, with a focus on Miami, the launch of a network of marble ambassadors and a new web portal tailor-made for architects, increasingly attracted to the potential of stone.

Fundamental to the development of this trade fair is the crossover between innovation, design and training. An exhibition concept that takes shape in the main exhibitions in the Italian Stone Theatre area, where research and experimentation meet new Italian technologies. The theme for the 2018 edition is “Water and Stone”, that sees the start of a journey devoted to artists in order to exalt the relationship between water and stone in spaces given over to hospitality and wellness.

New content to highlight includes the attention given to art with the exhibition "Percorsi d’Arte", curated by Raffaello Galiotto, which investigates how machinery can be used in artistic processing of stone materials. Also significant is the exhibition "Brand & Stone" curated by Giorgio Canale with a concept by Danilo Di Michele, that showcases the work of major furniture and design brands – such as Baxter and Luxury Living Group – and their projects designed for marble companies. Finally 2018 also sees the return of two Marmomac awards: the Icon Award that selects work to become the image of the 2019 campaign, while the Best Communicator Award recognises the care and originality of the companies presenting at the fair.