Report of the MCAA South of 40 Committee

Words: Imani Brodie

Mission Statement

The mission of the South of 40 is to provide members the opportunity to learn, to become more involved, and introduce a youthful voice into the masonry industry. We will accomplish this by fostering lasting relationships, encouraging new ideas, and educating the leaders of tomorrow with the objective of increasing the masonry market share and ensuring our industry is as solid as the products we promote.

South of 40 Event at Señor Frog’s

The MCAA’s South of 40 annual fundraising event will be held Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at Señor Frog’s from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. Proceeds from this event will benefit The Masonry Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and will be distributed to programs that help support masonry education, research, and training. Tickets will be available to purchase at the door.

More than $17,000 in sponsorships has been collected for the event. Thank you to each of the sponsors for supporting the South of 40 event!

MasonrySystems.org

Website statistics (from January 1 — December 13, 2015):
  • Sessions
    • 2013: 38,019
    • 2014: 78,894
    • 2015: 114,588
  • Unique Users
    • 2013: 32,985
    • 2014: 68,793
    • 2015: 101,311
  • Pageviews
    • 2013: 91,875
    • 2014: 196,585
    • 2015: 247,901
The site has had visitors from over 180 different countries.

As demonstrated from the statistics above, visits and users continue to increase year-to-year just from word of mouth promotion and limited advertising. As sponsorship dollars increase and widespread advertising becomes a reality, these numbers will only continue to grow.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship opportunities are available to accommodate any budget. These sponsorships are the primary revenue generator for the website.
  • MEC Dues ($1,000.00/year)
    Each state association is encouraged to pay this fee once per year to help offset costs.

  • Banner Advertisements ($500.00/year)
    For any supplier, contractor, or other affiliate who may be interested in a banner ad placed throughout the website.

  • Online Sponsorship ($250.00/year)
    Names of these sponsors will be featured on the “Sponsorship” page with a link to that company’s website.
Every sponsorship dollar is put back into the MasonrySystems.org promotional effort. Contributions help fund MasonrySystems.org and allow for continued improvements to the site and to promote the use of masonry throughout the country, but more specifically, in local markets.

Banner advertisements and sponsorships can be purchased online at www.masonrysystems.org/advertise.

Committee

We are working to re-engage South of 40 members. All MCAA members are encouraged to involve their younger upcoming leadership in our organization. Please reach out to Imani or Michael to learn more about getting involved.
Using Respirators for Silica Exposure
July 2025

Some in the masonry industry have expressed interest in respirator use as protection from harmful exposure to silica. This topic is of paramount importance due to its impact on our workers and the serious health effects of silica exposure. For those new t

From Bikes to Buildings: The Importance of Embracing Rainscreen Wall Designs and the New Building Codes.
July 2025

Have you ever been asked to do a project over the course of your lifetime? For example, when my kids were little, my wife asked me to assemble their bicycles. So, I opened the box, dumped out the contents, and cast aside whatever I thought was unnecessary

Laying the Foundation for Growth: Concrete Masonry Checkoff Unveils Five-Year Vision for Industry
July 2025

The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) put the finishing touches on an ambitious five-year vision for the industry, targeting a 20% increase in market share, driven by increased demand for concrete masonry products. “This is about building exquisite, enduri

Five of the Seven Chimneys Have Been Saved: Project Chimney Update
July 2025

In the wake of the devastating January wildfires that swept through Los Angeles's Pacific Palisades, a remarkable preservation effort is underway, spearheaded by Project Chimney, an initiative led by Evan Hall, founding director of the non-profit House Mu