Networking

Words: John Smith Jr.

Your support and membership are key to our success. If you are reading this article and are not a member, ask yourself why.

Twice a year, we meet at our National Convention and at a Midyear Meeting; this year, we will meet in Park City Utah, Sept.12 - 15.

These opportunities give all of us a chance to sit down and discuss all aspects of our business operations. The chance to network with another member and discuss the same issues that you and they have in common is priceless. There is a good chance that someone has had similar experiences to yours, and learning from others who may have been through it before can give you invaluable experiences. You then can implement those experiences into your business.

The chance to network with another member is priceless. Image © Keith Bell | Dreamstime.com
The chance to network with another member is priceless. Image © Keith Bell | Dreamstime.com

In recruiting contractors to join MCAA, one of the most commonly asked questions is whether there opportunities to sit down and discuss aspects of my business with other contractors who are not competitors. The answer is yes, and topics I have discussed with others are far too many to list, but include personnel, equipment and contracts. In Park City, these opportunities will be highlighted and easier to do than ever before.

It is not too late to sign up for Park City. We are expecting a large crowd. This year, we are featuring our Team Awards program. This event is sure to be a Tribute to Exemplary Achievements in Masonry. We also are having the PAC fundraising golf tournament. It is a challenging, 18-hole mountain course. Please check out all the details on our MCAA website, www.masoncontractors.org/midyear.

Stay cool and have a profitable summer!

About: Chairman’s Message
Beyond the Block: Aesthetic Innovations in CMU Construction
August 2026

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) have long been a mainstay of construction. They are well known as a “tried and true” material with a long history of high-strength structural performance, affordability, ease of assembly, and a long lifecycle. CMU constructio

The Most Overlooked Profit Center on Your Job Site
August 2026

The real cost of equipment ownership isn't what you pay on day one. It's what happens over the years that follow. The purchase price of a new mortar mixer, grout pump, material handling system, or masonry saw is only part of the investment. What happens

Installation Starts Before the First Course
August 2026

Some of the most expensive masonry installation problems begin long before crews arrive onsite. By the time a project reaches the field, many coordination decisions have already been made. Dimensional conflicts, congested reinforcement, specialty materia

Designing for Performance: Key Considerations for Efficient, Durable Masonry Projects
August 2026

A successful masonry project starts well before the first stone is set. The craftsmanship on site matters, of course, but many of the decisions that shape the final result are made much earlier—during design, detailing, and material selection. Those choic