b'NEWS BRIEFSFordetailsontheseandotherhasspenttensofthousandsof stories, visit tileletter.com hoursover19yearsplanning, workingwiththeteam,building The International Surface Eventnetworksandfriendships,and (TISE):SURFACES|StonExpo/ working/servingindustryprofes-Marmomac| TileExpowelcomessionals,allwiththepurposeof Dana Hicks as themakingsuretheindustrysgoals, new Show Directorneeds, and expectations were met for the event. Afterby TISE at the highest possible level 19yearsofser- of excellence.vicetothefl oor- Gonzalezhasnowtransitioned ing, stone, and tiletoalargecommercialcleaning Dana Hicks industrythroughandrestorationeventwithinthe events,promo- InformaMarketsportfolio,allow-tions,sponsorships,andcommu- ing her knowledge and skills to be nity involvement, TISE says good- used to nurture and grow her new byeto Amie(Gilmore)Gonzalezevent beyond its successful current asshetransitionstheeventtopositioning.Hicks.Thechangecomesas InformaMarketsneedforsea- Silver City Clay Festivals found-soned, show-leading professionalseranddirector,LeeGruber,is increases due to growth in large- to be honored at this years New scaleeventstothecompanysMexicoGovernorsAwardsfor event portfolio. Excellence in the Arts. Gruber has Hicks has a strong background inbeen a major force the events space with nearly 20+inhercommunity years dedicated to the trade, previ- byinitiatingideas ously serving for 10 years in hos- andfollowing pitalityandeventswithMarriottthroughtoreach International, followed by 17 yearsgoals that promote inthetradeshowarenaendingLee Gruber c o n t e m p o r a r y astheVPofEventsforInformavisual art, foster an Markets/Virgo where he led a topunderstandingofthehistoryof portfolio event in the food ingredi- NewMexicoculturalarts,and ent sector. nurture an environment that eco-TISEalsothanksnomicallysupportsthebusiness Amie(Gilmore)of art. Gruber founded the Silver GonzalezforherCity tile business Syzygy with her commitmentandhusband,DaviddelJunco,over dedicationtothe25 years ago.Amie Gonzalez industry.GonzalezAs board president of Southwest 102 TileLetter | November 2019'