Natural Stone Institute Awards Program Call for Entries 

Words: Bradley Blystone

Words: Natural Stone Institute
Photos: Natural Stone Institute

Oberlin, OH, March 26, 2024—The entry period for the 2024 Natural Stone Institute Award Program is now open. The association is pleased to announce a call for entries for the Pinnacle Awards, Industry Recognition Awards, and scholarship program.

The Pinnacle Awards honor projects whose beauty, creativity, ingenuity, and craftsmanship exemplify professional mastery in the use of natural stone for commercial and residential applications. Pinnacle Awards are given in the following categories: Commercial Interior, Commercial Exterior, Renovation/Restoration, Residential Interior/Exterior (Single and Multi-Family), Architectural Carving/Lettering/Sculpture, Public Landscapes/Parks/Memorials, and Kitchen/Bath. A Grande Pinnacle Award, sponsored by Marmomac, is presented to the jury’s choice for the best overall project. Pinnacle Award submissions are due June 20.

The Industry Recognition Awards celebrate individuals in the stone industry for exemplary contributions to the industry and association over several years. Available awards include the Migliore Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Women in Stone Pioneer Award, the Natural Stone Craftsman of the Year Award, the Thor Lundh Quarrier Award, and the David Fell Spirit of Service Award. Industry Recognition Award submission deadlines are due May 20. 

Two scholarships, the Natural Stone Scholarship and the Women in Stone Empowerment Scholarship, provide hands-on educational opportunities for aspiring professionals interested in furthering their careers in the stone industry. Scholarship applications are due May 20. 

Award recipients will be celebrated at the annual Natural Stone Institute Awards Ceremony at StonExpo in Las Vegas in 2025. All awards are open to Natural Stone Institute members. For more information about each award, including nomination forms, submission requirements, sponsorship information, and details on past recipients, visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/awards

About the Natural Stone InstituteThe Natural Stone Institute is a trade association representing every aspect of the natural stone industry. The current membership exceeds 2,000 members in over 50 nations. The association offers a wide array of technical and training resources, professional development opportunities, regulatory advocacy, and networking events. Two prominent publications—the Dimension Stone Design Manual and Building Stone Magazine—raise awareness within the natural stone industry and in the design community for best practices and uses of natural stone. Learn more at www.naturalstoneinstitute.org.

La Maison Franchère: How Masonry Turns Functional Buildings Into Timeless Beauty

La Maison Franchère, or the Franchers’ House, stands as a notable relic of stone architecture in Saint-Mathies, a small Quebec town on the edge of the Richelieu River. Unlike the neighboring homes, this towering, two-and-a-half-story mansion immediately c

MASONRY STRONG Podcast Episode 5 Recap: Zach Everett

Welcome back to another insightful episode of the Masonry Strong podcast! Today, we have a very special guest, Zach Everett, sharing his journey and experiences in the world of safety within the masonry industry. From humble beginnings to becoming a vital

About: Featured
What Is Crisis Management?

Crisis management is a process that employers use to respond to, and recover from, unplanned events. The best time to develop a crisis management plan is before a crisis occurs. A crisis management plan can help companies maintain business continuity, pro

About: Featured
Cost Management and Efficiency in Masonry Projects

With masonry being a piece count trade, the more units that are laid in the field that surpass the quantity figured in the estimate, the more profit that is made. Masonry crews in the field need a good foreman that is capable of organizing the crew, posit

About: Featured