Masonry Showcase 2007: Networking to Build a Better Industry

President’s Message

By Frank Campitelli

MCAA’s Masonry Showcase is well known as the show “Where the Industry Meets.” For the 2007 Masonry Showcase in Orlando, there’s a whole new meaning to this statement.

Our expanded education seminars, event programming and exhibit floor will once again attract the best of the nation's mason contractors – like you – to join together and shape our industry's direction. The hallmarks of this year's show are new features, partnerships and educational opportunities, and it will be an experience you can't miss.

The biggest highlight of the Masonry Showcase 2007 is the concurrent annual show and convention of the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA). NCMA's members are your manufacturers and suppliers, and they will be gathered in Orlando, at the adjacent convention center and a nearby hotel, featuring their exhibits at the MCPX show. Throughout the week, there will be many informal opportunities for you to get together with these important business partners and enjoy the attractions of Orlando. Also, our annual awards ceremony for the International Excellence in Masonry Awards will be a joint reception with NCMA's members, who will be recognizing their Safety and Design Awards. Finally, for the closing event, both associations are partnering for a joint celebration, bringing the members of the MCAA and NCMA together for the first time since 1999! We will experience a special evening at the Universal Studios theme park, creating the perfect atmosphere to build our partnership and our industry.

The Masonry Showcase is the only annual event where the industry meets to make decisions about the future of masonry.

As part of our educational session program, nationally recognized architect and masonry advocate, Chris Huckabee, AIA, of Huckabee and Associates Inc., will provide insight and useful information about how to successfully sell masonry versus tilt-up in the school market. Today, school officials are bombarded with misinformation from competitive systems, representing false benefits in hopes of getting their systems specified in future construction projects. Attendees will leave with the facts and information to refute these targeted false claims that are presented to school officials by the tilt-up industry. If you sell to the school market or compete against tilt-up, you must attend this educational session.

We are also introducing a new educational seminar in Orlando: the updated Masonry Quality Institute (MQI). This revised and improved program will provide you the ability to measure your company's level of quality. The MQI is a two-day course that assists masons in evaluating their services, meeting stringent customer expectations, and improving their profitability.Additionally, MQI attendance will be required for the all-new MCAA Mason Contractor Certification program, also being introduced at the 2007 Showcase.

The Masonry Showcase exhibitors will also help raise your quality and competitiveness. The Masonry Showcase and the MCAA are run by mason contractors, and we're the only national association and trade show focused on you. The attendees can be proud to support the industry, knowing that the Masonry Showcase is solely dedicated to advancing the industry. One hundred percent of the proceeds generated are applied to industry-related programs. In addition, this year we are featuring new morning exhibit hours, allowing attendees to spend their afternoons exploring Orlando's attractions with their families.

The Masonry Showcase is the only annual event where the industry meets to make decisions about the future of masonry, discuss important changes and trends in our businesses, and feature the best masonry products for our contractors. It is now where the industry meets to partner with our affiliate organizations and strengthen the market share of our systems.

To register for the 2007 Masonry Showcase, visit www.masonryshowcase.com, or call the MCAA headquarters at 800-536-2225 for a registration brochure.

We look forward to seeing you at the Masonry Showcase, Feb. 22-24, 2007, in Orlando!