You Have A Choice of Trades Shows Next Year in Las Vegas, But Only One Supports The Industry and Your Future

President’s Message

By G. Alan Griffin

Many of you have already heard my sermon about two masonry industry trade shows, but here it goes again.

Next year, you have a choice to attend two different trade shows both to be held in Las Vegas, but only one supports the masonry industry. That show is the Mason Contractors Association of America's Masonry Showcase. We've made little secret that the revenues from Masonry Showcase directly supports vital industry programs and services that the MCAA conducts. Our show is solely dedicated to the advancement of our industry. That's a compelling reason to attend our trade show. But it's not the only reason. Our attendees tell us that they like the smaller venue that our show offers where they don't feel lost or overwhelmed by all of the concrete exhibits. By coming to Masonry Showcase, they feel that they are attending a masonry industry event and not a concrete event.

In addition, last year we proved that the Masonry Showcase could deliver a knock-out industry mega-event, joining the mason contractors, architects and specifiers all under one roof in an exposition packed with excitement. Last years show and clearly once again, this upcoming show is a dynamic promotional event for our industry where nearly 4,000 construction specifiers visited our exhibits and experienced our special events giving them a firsthand experience of the quality of masonry

Our attendees from last years show told us that the Masonry Showcase in Chicago was the BEST in years. Most enjoyed the interaction with industry customers such as the specifiers and architects that were in attendance. Many enjoyed having architects and specifiers in joint educational events.

We will once again hold attendee favorites, such as the MCAA's Masonry Skills Challenge and our Fastest Trowel on the Block contest hosted by Quikrete. In addition we are once again offering the Masonry: It Makes A Village contest which debuted last year in Chicago. In addition to the contests, probably one of the strongest educational programs will also be offered which I urge all mason contractors to participate. Many of our dedicated local and state chapters are also planning to participate with us in Las Vegas, all adding up to what is expected to be the best convention ever.

MCAA's Masonry Showcase co-located with the Construction Specifers Institute will once again be the ?MUST ATTEND EVENT? of the year. And like other shows, Masonry Showcase will be in Las Vegas so it will make your decision that much easier?you now can attend the event where the industry will meet and be in Las Vegas at the same time without going to two different shows. If you are a serious mason contractor, there's no other reason to be anywhere else but at Masonry Showcase, March 29-31 in Las Vegas.

Whether you are a member of the association or not, I urge you all to attend the MCAA's Masonry Showcase and Convention next March. You will be glad you did.

Registration brochures have been included with this magazine in the poly bag that our magazine came in. You will also receive registration materials by mail or you can go to our website, www.masoncontractors.org to register for the convention. Or you can call the MCAA National Office at 800-536-2225 and we can send registration materials direct to you.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2006 Masonry Showcase, March 29-31 in Las Vegas.