Some seized the opportunity and arrived early to visit other cities – and even other countries. Others flew directly to Rome and ventured by train to their final destination, while the rest took connecting flights that got them there. And yet others had to deal with flight cancellations and navigate a new path to get where they needed to be. But no matter the route they took, the 17 participants of the 2025 Stone Fabricator’s Alliance (SFA) Italy Tour all arrived in the beautiful city of Florence in time to kick the trip off with a welcome dinner. This would be the beginning of an eight-day excursion, from May 10th to 18th, that included 13 stops, six hotels, 12 scrumptious meals hosted by sponsor companies, hours of bus time and many other memorable experiences. The final destination this year was Venice.

In addition to SFA leaders Mike Dean of London, Ontario Canada, and Tim Zeng of Zeng Granite in Lincoln, NE, the group included:

• Jimmy Casillo, Elegant Stone Works, Brooklyn, NY
• Rick Graff, GSS Fabrication, Inc., Richland, WA
• Stephanie Hannah, Cadenza Granite & Marble, Charlotte, NC
• Glenda Henneboehle, Stone Fabricators, Olivette, MO
• Wes Hull, ABC Stone, LLC, Hamilton, MT
• Cate Ledezma, Featherstone Granite & Marble, Oklahoma City, OK
• Trey Monday, BBG Granite, Williamsburg, VA
• Sed Olive, Olive Glass & Marble, Fayetteville, NC
• Joey Ontra, Connecticut Stone, Milford, CT
• Wyndell Pasch, Continental Granite and Marble, Daytona Beach, FL
• Tomas Fidel Garcia Peña, Glacier Marble & Granite, Kalispell, MT
• Ryan Phillips, Eurocraft Granite & Marble, Glenpool, OK
• Jonathan Seaton, Breeze Granite, Gulf Breeze, FL
• John Thomas, Tenax USA, Cartersville, GA

Stone World was also grateful for the invitation to join the delegation on their Italian adventure.

Tenax has partnered with the SFA from the start, when the first Tour was planned in 2011. Daniele Scasserle and Tatiana Savoia, both of Tenax, have played a pivotal role — behind the scenes and leading the group during the Tour for more than a decade.

“It was so special for me to represent Tenax USA on this trip,” said Thomas. “Getting to know everyone and seeing their excitement on every visit we shared each day was inspiring. Also, the wonderful meals we all shared together were outstanding.”

In addition to Tenax, other sponsoring companies for the 2025 Tour were:

• Breton
• CMS
• Comandulli
• Donatoni
• Filter Project
• GMM/Biesse
• Henraux
• Infinity
• Nicolai Diamant
• Santa Margherita

“This was the second year on the other side of the fence of the Italy Tour for me, and I must say, it is much different being a leader than an attendee,” explained Zeng. “I remember when I was on the tour in 2019, my goal was to soak in Italy and try to learn as much as possible about the companies and from my fellow attendees as I could. Being a leader of the tour, the mindset is very different. I still try to learn as much as I can, but I have a responsibility to represent the SFA to the best of my abilities and to make sure the attendees have the best experience we can provide. Luckily, I have had a blueprint to follow from the leaders of the past, and from Mike [Dean, who completed his fourth and final time as a leader of the tour.] Next year, I will take that challenge on and hopefully excel on the experience the attendees get from the tour.”

After returning home and having some time to reflect on the journey, Zeng shares what he gained from leading the group throughout Italy. “Priority number one was developing the relationships with the tour hosts,” he said. “I truly feel as if I am becoming a little part of their families and what a privilege that is. Number two, I know what the attendees are going to experience and seeing their faces and reactions is priceless — like when we walk down the stairs at Antolini. Number three, the personal connections. Just like last year, I feel as if I have a personal connection with all of the attendees that goes farther than just business. There is a connection that is made in that week that just can't be produced at any other function I participate in. Another biggie, what an honor it is to represent the SFA. I remember when I signed up at The International Surface Event (TISE) in 2013, and to think back then that one day I would be on the Board of Directors, I never thought I would be in this position. To be able to give back to so many people is one of those things in life that just make you feel really good about what you are doing. Please call me out if you ever see me not doing this!”

Careful planning allowed the SFA Italy Tour to cover a great deal of ground during the time it was there, and by the reaction of the fabricators, it was obvious each stop made a significant impact in one way or another — whether it was the advanced technology, beauty of the material, the Italian hospitality or all of them combined. Their excitement was noticeable – especially from the chatter on the bus after each visit.

“This trip was absolutely incredible!If you're a fabricator who loves the stone industry and wants to dive deeper into every aspect of how materials and supplies are made, you have to apply,” said Glenda Henneboehle, president of Stone Fabricators in Olivette, MO. “Spending eight days with 14 other fabricators from across the U.S. and Canada was a truly unforgettable experience. We shared ideas, tackled common business concerns and learned so much from one another — conversations you just can't replicate anywhere else. The connections, the insights and the hands-on experiences made this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don’t miss it!”

Each sponsor added to the memorable time with their incredible hospitality and top-quality products. They were all warm and inviting, provided informative details on their company and products, and were ready to answer any questions. It was evident they were happy to be hosting the group of fabricators.

“We’re proud of the quality of our product, but we also recognize that excellent fabrication and installation are just as crucial for delivering a successful final project,” said Davide Corsini, director of sales North America/Latam for Infinity. “While we often welcome importers and distributors to our factory, it’s not as common for fabricators to visit us here in Italy. That’s why we truly appreciate the opportunity to host the SFA group. It allowed us to connect directly with the professionals who actually work with our slabs. This kind of direct exchange between manufacturer and fabricator — sharing ideas, feedback and best practices — benefits everyone and helps us continuously improve both the product and the overall system.

“Being a sponsor also gives us more time to build meaningful connections during moments like dinner,” Corsini went on to say. “Personal relationships and direct communication remain key success factors, even as the processes around manufacturing and fabrication become more modern and automated.”

Thomas shared similar sentiments. “At the Tenax plant, I wanted everyone to see the new products that we are producing to help them with their fabricating and installing of the stone on their projects,” he said. “Also, I wanted everyone to see that Tenax is constantly trying to improve their glues and chemicals with the newest technology to better serve their fabrication and install needs. My favorite part of the trip was having discussions with each attendee and answering their questions about Tenax products. I also loved the visits to the Carrara quarry, machine and diamond tool companies, as well as the wonderful cities and towns in Italy.”

“The SFA was a one-of-a-kind experience full of amazing people,” said Tomas of Glacier Marble & Granite, Inc. in Kalispell, MT. “I would like to have a special shoutout to Tim, Mike, Tatiana, Daniele and the companies we visited for making this happen. Thank you!”

More highlights and inside perspectives about the 2025 SFA Italy Tour will be coming in the near future. In the meantime, take a few moments to view the slide show capturing highlights from this unforgettable journey.