FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction ↗

Midyear: A Well-Earned Reward

Words: Dick Dentinger


As managers or owners involved in the masonry industry, there are of course some perks that land on your plate. Such as a lot of extended workhours, calls, texts, and emails on weeknights or on weekends. The stresses, anxieties, pressures, and responsibilities that follow us around each day can make it hard to really enjoy our free time. This is one of the reasons why our company has always chosen to participate in the MCAA Midyear conventions.

The Midyear meetings are an opportunity to reward ourselves for the hard work we put in throughout the year at our companies. There is no question the networking that takes place with other stakeholders in the industry is extremely valuable. That is absolutely the case for me and my wife. Mason contractors from all over the country and the representatives from key manufacturers and suppliers in masonry have become our close friends and allies from years of attending the mid-year events. We all work so hard to protect our businesses and provide a promising career for those in our companies that it is really enjoyable to spend time with others from around the country who share the same concerns and challenges we do back home. So, the time away at a Midyear convention has always been a rewarding experience.

However, in my opinion, the icing on the cake is the fact that the MCAA Midyear is always held at a top-shelf venue and has a relaxed and casual feel throughout the entire convention. There are always fun events and outings where we get an opportunity to spend a few days talking shop while also seeing different parts of the country we otherwise wouldn’t likely ever get around to seeing. Quite frankly, Midyears have a feel of an all-inclusive retreat of sorts. We still take calls, make calls, and tend to business, but we always have plenty of free time to take a cleansing breath and get recharged before heading back home. And when we do leave, we do so with more intel about our industry and with strengthened friendships that will last our entire careers and beyond.

My family has attended MCAA Midyear meetings since the 1970s. We never miss it! I genuinely recommend rewarding yourself for the hard work that you put into managing your business all year. Treat yourself and take part in the MCAA Midyear conventions. You’ve earned it!



About: Convention
 0
Vibing Masonry #10: Clay Brick Masonry Development from Ancient Roots to Future Innovation
February 2026

Clay brick, one of humanity’s oldest building materials, has shaped civilizations for millennia. Its inherent durability, versatility, and accessibility made it a basic component of architecture. The material's history is one of continuous technological i

Steve Blye
Technical Talks
Read More
Masonry in the Media: Fenway Park, Trim Castle, & More
February 2026

The settings of films influence the atmosphere of a scene and immerse the viewers in their movie-going experience. From Parisienne train stations to Boston baseball parks, these four masonry-made structures set the scene in the films they were featured in

Lily Burger
Masonry in the Media
Read More
2026 Masonry Hall Of Fame Nominations Are Open
February 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Masonry Hall of Fame, brought to you on behalf of the MCAA's Cornerstone Partners. Nominations will close on March 31, 2026.

Dan Kamys
News and Events
Read More
Outreach Outlook: Celebrating CTE Month and the Madness of Masonry
February 2026

As we settle into February, the masonry industry turns its focus to a celebration that lies at the very heart of our mission: National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. For the Outreach & Education Division, this isn't just a date on the calen

Robert Melgaard
Outreach Outlook
Read More