Stonemason's calendar 2026/2027: peak season, the STONE trade fair in Poznań and a purchasing plan

For a stonemasonry workshop, the year does not begin in January, but at the end of August — when the phones start ringing with the question "will we make it before November 1?" We have prepared an industry calendar for the coming months: from the peak of the 2026 funeral season, through winter planning, to the STONE 2027 trade fair in Poznań (January 26–29) — the most important meeting of the industry, where it is worth arriving with a concrete plan and not just "taking a look." For each period we add practical purchasing and marketing actions.

September – October 2026: peak season

• Retail customers start coming in large numbers after September 15 — renovations, lettering, cross replacements; November 1 falls on a Sunday, so the holiday weekend will extend the busy period at cemeteries to 3 days.
• Stocking up: order your fastest-moving items (letters in popular fonts, wall-mounted crosses, lanterns, frames) by mid-September; our 24-hour shipping of selected designs helps in emergencies, but at the peak of the season, knowing exactly what you have in your own stock is invaluable. You will find wholesale terms in the Stonemason Zone.
• Communication: pin a post to your business profile saying "last available installation dates before November 1" with a specific cut-off date — it is the most effective message of the season.
• Schedule: leave 20% of your capacity for last-minute orders after October 20 — these are most often the customers least sensitive to price.

November – December 2026: a quieter harvest

• The first two weeks of November are for post-warranty service and minor corrections — an ideal time to collect Google reviews from customers you have just served.
• December: inventory, analysis of turnover (what really sold?), and planning the display of designs for the new season.
• "Winter" orders from manufacturers — outside the season it is easier to get full availability of designs from the catalog and calm execution of custom projects for premium customers.

January 26–29, 2027: STONE trade fair, Poznań — how to get the most out of it

STONE returns in a new format: alongside the BUDMA and WINDOOR-TECH fairs and the debuting Progetto Fuoco Poland, under the patronage of the Polish Stonemasonry Association. For a stonemasonry workshop, it means four days of access to technology, materials and — often most valuable of all — face-to-face conversations with suppliers. You will find the program and tickets on the official website targistone.pl. Our tips, from a veteran of many editions:

1. Go with a list of gaps, not an empty head: write down 5 problems from the season that is ending (e.g. "customers asked about black finishes", "waiting time for epigraphs was too long") and look for solutions to exactly those.
2. Arrange meetings in advance — key suppliers have their calendars full a week before the fair; we also reserve meeting times for B2B partners, write to usand we will arrange a specific time.
3. Take photos with context: a photo of the design + a business card + a voice note on what it is for — after you return, hundreds of photos without descriptions are worthless.
4. Spend the second day at BUDMA: architects and developers are a growing source of orders for stone outside the cemetery; it is worth having a portfolio of your work with you.

February – April 2027: the foundations of the new season

• Putting post-fair decisions into practice: new designs for display, updated price lists, possible changes of suppliers.
• Before Easter (end of March 2027) — a mini cleaning season: communication about cleaning and minor repairs; a schedule similar to the autumn preparation plan, which we described here.
• April: a review of the warehouse after winter and the first replenishment orders before the May Communion and anniversary rush.

Do you want to go into the season with a production partner, not just a supplier? Join the Zecero B2B program: wholesale prices from the first order, a dedicated account manager, shipping priority at peak times and design support for custom orders. Account verification within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

When and where exactly will the STONE 2027 trade fair take place?

From Tuesday, January 26 to Friday, January 29, 2027, at the Poznań International Fair grounds, together with the BUDMA, WINDOOR-TECH and Progetto Fuoco Poland fairs. Current information on registration and the program is published by the organizer at targistone.pl.

Will I also find cemetery accessories at STONE, or only stone and machinery?

The fair covers the whole value chain of the industry: from blocks and slabs, through CNC machines and chemicals, to accessories and cemetery goods. It is a good place to compare finishes, cutting quality and mounting solutions from different manufacturers in person — things you cannot see in PDF catalogs.

How do I plan a purchasing budget for the season without tying up cash?

A proven approach is the 70/20/10 rule: 70% of the budget for reliable items from last year's best sellers, 20% for expanding the fastest-moving category, 10% for testing new products. Manufacturers with short delivery times (with us, 24 h for selected designs) let you safely keep stock levels low and reorder as sales require.

I run a one-person workshop — does the B2B program make sense for me?

Yes — the only entry requirements are registration and verification of your business, with no minimum purchase. Smaller workshops in particular benefit most from priority shipping and design advice: they gain the backing of a large manufacturer while keeping the flexibility of a local craft.