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Find-a-Contractor Masonry Buyer's Guide
The MCAA Annual Convention kicks off Jan. 31 in Las Vegas.
January 2016

A week of masonry you can’t miss

Chairman’s Message

By

I hope all of you had a great holiday season and are excited and energized about 2016. I am sure that, in 2016, many positive things will happen within the MCAA. Let’s start with the MCAA Annual Convention, which kicks off Jan. 31.

We have two great, side-by-side hotels from which you can choose, offering different options: Aria, which was our headquarters last year, and Vdara. If you like to gamble, Aria might be your choice. If you want to get to your room without having to go through the gambling section, Vdara might be your place. We got some great pricing this year, so book your rooms early.

A brief outline of the events: Monday is good day to fly in and spend some time exploring the area around the hotel. Keep in mind, the educational programs start Sunday and run through Thursday, and there are lots of good programs to choose from. Then, at 5:30, join us for our PAC reception in the Aria Hotel lobby bar. This is a good time to socialize with some of your friends and make new ones. After the PAC reception, you can grab dinner or see one of the many Las Vegas shows.

Tuesday is an action-packed day, with Committee Meetings being held during the morning and the Exhibit Halls opening. At 5:30, don’t miss the South of Forty event at Señor Frogs. Along with drinks and food, there will be lots of entertainment happening. Make sure you sign up and, when you do, you will get a MCAA jacket!

Save some energy after your visit to Señor Frogs, because Wednesday is MASONRY MADNESS. If you are not energized, you will be, because this is the biggest event at the World of Concrete and Masonry. There are three different events happening out on the Gold Lot, starting with the MCAA’s Masonry Skills Challenge. This event showcases some of the industry’s best future masons. It is always enlightening to see the future of our industry compete right before our eyes. Then, as this event finishes, the MCAA’s Fastest Trowel on the Block and the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® kick off. The energy from the crowds during these events is incredible. You must be there to witness it.

Wednesday evening, you are free to go to dinner or see a show. On Thursday, we have our Annual Meeting, which will give you a good recap of what has happened throughout the year. Starting at 10 a.m., we will hold our Contractor Roundtable. This is when you can learn how your fellow contractors handle different situations. It is also a perfect time to share contact information, so you can network throughout the year. And then, join us for the Closing Banquet at Maggiano’s Little Italy. At this dinner, we will be honoring our newest Masonry Hall of Fame members as well as saying goodbye to the old and bringing in your new MCAA Board.

So, as you can see, there is a lot to do at the MCAA annual convention held at the World of Concrete and Masonry. I really hope you will attend, and, if we have not met, please take a moment to introduce yourself.

Let’s move on to The Masonry Foundation. WOW, do I have some exciting news. As you know, The Masonry Foundation is the most exciting thing presently in our industry. And now, I am honored to announce that SPEC MIX Inc., a Quikrete Company, has joined The Masonry Foundation at the Chairman Level! In honor of this commitment, the Foundation will have a special “SPEC MIX Workforce Development and Education Grant.” Please be sure to thank the SPEC MIX organization for again being a strong supporter of the masonry industry and The Masonry Foundation.

So are you ready for some more good news? The Masonry Foundation has $3 million in pledges, and it is our goal to hit $4 million by the convention! As I have stated in the past, I truly believe our original goal of $5 million is only the beginning. Once we hit the $5 million mark, we will continue to push this Masonry Foundation to $8 million to $10 million. This is why I love this industry: Who would have thought contractors and suppliers would be able to achieve these numbers? I guess the answer is simple. All of you who have made a pledge made it happen. Those who have not yet made or been asked to make a pledge, watch out – we are coming for you.

I leave you with this thought: “Excellent firms, associations or people don’t believe in excellence, but rather, they believe in constant improvement and constant change.”

Chairman’s Message Archive

The American Dream

August 2019
The American Dream

Doing Our Part

May 2019
Doing Our Part

Preparing for D.C.

April 2019
Preparing for D.C.

Recent Updates

September 2018
Recent Updates

Masonry’s Future

August 2018
Masonry’s Future

Worthwhile Work

June 2018
Worthwhile Work

A New Beginning

February 2018
A New Beginning

Givers Gain

January 2018
Givers Gain

Things to Remember

March 2017
Things to Remember

Looking Forward

February 2017
Looking Forward

A Fresh Start

January 2017
A Fresh Start

Who Moved My Cheese?

September 2016
Who Moved My Cheese?

Giving back

December 2015
Giving back

An exciting year ahead

February 2015
An exciting year ahead

Defining success

December 2014
Defining success

Staying busy for you

August 2014
Staying busy for you

Ready for action

February 2014
Ready for action

Thanks

January 2014
Thanks

Happy holidays

December 2013
Happy holidays

MCAA Midyear update

November 2013
MCAA Midyear update

The MCAA in D.C.

August 2013
The MCAA in D.C.

A Lot Happening

July 2013
A Lot Happening

Eye opening

June 2013
Eye opening

Positive movement

March 2013
Positive movement

Headed to Vegas

February 2013
Headed to Vegas

New beginning

January 2013
New beginning

It’s finally over

December 2012
It’s finally over

My trip to the Rockies

November 2012
My trip to the Rockies

The 2012 election

October 2012
The 2012 election

Stay involved

September 2012
Stay involved

Networking

August 2012
Networking

Summer time

July 2012
Summer time

Exciting time

June 2012
Exciting time

Working for you

May 2012
Working for you

New beginnings

March 2012
New beginnings

Farewell!

February 2012
Farewell!

One more to go!

January 2012
One more to go!

Join us in Vegas

November 2011
Join us in Vegas

As the world turns

August 2011
As the world turns

A Bright Future

May 2011
A Bright Future

Tidbits From MCAA

March 2011
Tidbits From MCAA

Time Flies By

February 2011
Time Flies By

The End of the Year

December 2010
The End of the Year

Busy Times!

November 2010
Busy Times!

South of 40

October 2010
South of 40

What Are We Doing?

August 2010
What Are We Doing?

Moving Forward

March 2010
Moving Forward

A Fond Farewell

February 2010
A Fond Farewell

A New Year

January 2010
A New Year

Start the Year Strong

December 2009
Start the Year Strong

MCAA in D.C.

September 2009
MCAA in D.C.

Brick Voids

August 2009
Brick Voids

Vision 2020

February 2009
Vision 2020

State of the Association

February 2009
State of the Association

The Silver Lining

January 2009
The Silver Lining

Impact on the Hill

June 2008
Impact on the Hill

New Horizons

February 2008
New Horizons

Wrapping up Another Year

December 2007
Wrapping up Another Year

Greetings From Italy!

November 2007
Greetings From Italy!

We Need Your Help!

January 2005
We Need Your Help!

The Strength of Unity

November 2003
The Strength of Unity

Changing of the Guard

February 2002
Changing of the Guard

“The MCAA is critical to forwarding our cause.”

Danks Burton
Pinnacle Masonry, Inc.
MCAA member since 1997

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