Centrorochas is a finalist for the ApexBrasil-Exame Award: The Best in International Business 2024 in the Image category

Centrorochas, the association that represents the natural stone sector in Brazil, was a finalist for the ApexBrasil-Exame Award: The Best in International Business 2024, in the category “Promotion of the Sector’s Image Abroad”. The award celebrates organizations and companies that stood out for their strategies for expanding and establishing international business.

The winner will be announced on December 9, during a ceremony at Teatro Bravos – Instituto Tomie Ohtake, in the city of São Paulo. The event will bring together business leaders, foreign trade experts, and authorities, such as the Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, the president of ApexBrasil, Jorge Viana, and the president of Sebrae, Décio Lima. It will be a moment of acknowledgment and inspiration. For Centrorochas, being among the finalists is already an important appreciation for the work done in promoting the sector’s image abroad.

The nomination

This acknowledgment is the result of the work carried out through the sectorial project It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone, which promotes the image of Brazilian natural stones in strategic international markets.

To satisfy the criteria for the category, Centrorochas mounted a massive international campaign, focused on the markets of the United States, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates. These actions increased the visibility of Brazilian stones in the international market, consolidated strategic partnerships, designed a proactive image strategy that highlighted the distinguishing features of the industry in relation to its global competitors, and built up the trust of stakeholders, in addition to expanding the digital presence, leading to greater visibility and new business opportunities. The following actions stand out:

United States:

• Lecture at StonExpo 2023, in Las Vegas
• Participation in a podcast, in February 2023
• Lecture at Bond Multi, in California, in February 2023
• Lecture at Bond ARC US, in Florida, in November 2023
• Lecture at KBIS 2024, in Las Vegas
• Presence through earned media, international media

Italy:

• Lecture at Marmomac 2023, in September 2023, in Verona

United Arab Emirates:

• Lecture at Bond ARC Middle East, in February 2024, in Abu Dhabi
• Winner of the best social media coverage at Bond ARC Middle East
• Lecture at Big 5 2023, in December, in Dubai

 The impact of the initiatives developed by Centrorochas is powerful. It can be observed in the growth of exports of Brazilian natural stones, especially higher added-value products, and in the increase in the average price of these exports, demonstrating the perceived quality and exclusivity of national stones. The industry has also been strengthening its international competitiveness, standing out in an increasingly competitive market.