September 2010
Successful Midyear Meeting held in Chicago
By Tim O’Tool
The 2010 MCAA Midyear Meeting was held in late-July in Chicago. Throughout the week, attendees were able to attend numerous meetings to help shape the future of the masonry industry, including various MCAA Committee Meetings and joint meetings with the National Concrete Masonry Association. Several networking events also were held during the week for guests to say hello to old friends and make new connections.
Educational seminars were held at the Midyear Meeting, including two programs on expanding masonry markets through the use of pavers and segmental retaining walls. Attendees were able to attend seminars to help contractors better understand ASTM and indemnification issues, including how to avoid common pitfalls and what to look for in contracts.
Membership Committee
The committee chairman is Don McCauley. The MCAA has just begun the 2010-2011 membership renewal cycle. The committee is working hard on different initiatives to boost membership. For more information on joining the MCAA, contact Bob Birdsell, bbirdsell@masoncontractors.org.
South of 40
The committee chair is Lindsey Stringer. The group has made vast strides in the progression of the committee, including the formation of a mission statement:
“The Mission of the South of 40 Committee is to provide members the opportunity to learn, to become more involved, and introduce a youthful voice into the masonry industry. We will accomplish this by fostering lasting relationships, encouraging new ideas, and educating the leaders of tomorrow with the objective of increasing the masonry market share and ensuring our industry is as solid as the products we promote.”
A 2011 fundraising event 2011 will take place Jan. 19, 2011, during the Annual Convention in Las Vegas, at the HOFBRAHAUS HOUSE, located across from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 7 p.m. Dollars raised will go toward the MCAA Foundation, a 501(C)3. A key stipulation is that monies donated from the foundation cannot be spent on marketing, advertising or legislation efforts. The South of 40 Committee held their first event during the Midyear Meeting, a spirited game of WhirlyBall.
Marketing Committee
The Marketing Committee chair is Damian Lang. The MCAA Marketing Committee continues to play an important role in assuring the success of the Vision 2020 program. The MCAA is working closely with the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) and other industry partners to form teams of contractors, laborers, suppliers and other affiliated industry representatives that will work with community planners to convince decision makers to use masonry and implement masonry ordinances.
The MCAA has been working with the Dominican Republic to develop a program whereby members of the MCAA will be invited to open contracting companies in the Dominican Republic with training support of the domestic employees from the government and the MCAA. The Dominican Republic currently has some enticing tax-free incentives, and the opportunities are plentiful in the country.
The MCAA has teamed up with the Masonry Institute of Michigan (MIM) to promote the use of masonry in military construction. MCAA Executive Director; Jeff Buczkiewicz, MCAA members Mackie Bounds, Paul Odom and Steve Borman; and MIM Executive Director Dan Zechmeister recently met with Pentagon officials to present the valuable benefits the military would reap by taking advantage of the masonry building system. The meeting was encouraging, but there is work to be done. The MCAA hopes to continue to develop a relationship with the military and is hopeful for increased use of masonry in military structures. Other topics discussed included market expansion, green building and the MCAA website (www.masoncontractors.org).
Team Awards
The Team Awards committee chairman is Elizabeth Beber. TEAM Awards categories include:
- Education: K-12
- Education: College/University
- Landscape, Hardscape
- Rehabilitation, Restoration
- Government, Institutional
- Industrial, Commercial
- Block
- LEED*
- Residential: Single-family
- Residential: Multi-family
*LEED qualified project or an equivalent qualification
Judging will take place in early-October. Awards will be presented to the mason contractor, general contractor, architect, masonry supplier and building owner at the TEAM Awards Banquet, during the 2011 MCAA Convention, Las Vegas, Jan. 17, 2011, at the Wynn Hotel. Also, Vision Awards will be given to architects, colleges/universities, communities, and school districts for their use of masonry design.
Legislative Committee
Topics discussed included the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 (Stimulus Bill), Healthcare Reform, Financial Services Regulatory Reform, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, budgets and appropriations, jobs and the economy, and MCAA-specific legislations: Estate Tax, 3% Withholding Tax, Alternative Minimum Tax, Immigration Reform and Military Construction. You can always stay updated on the MCAA’s legislative efforts by visiting www.masoncontractors.org.
In conclusion
The Midyear Meeting wrapped up with a reception and dinner at The Signature Room at the 95th in the John Hancock Center, where attendees dined more than 1,000 feet above the city and enjoyed spectacular views of the Chicago skyline. The MCAA thanks the attendees of the 2010 MCAA Midyear Meeting, including Strategic Partners CavClear, EZ Scaffold, The QUIKRETE Companies and SPEC MIX. The 2011 MCAA Convention will take place at World of Concrete and World of Masonry in Las Vegas in January.
Tim O’Toole is director of marketing and information technology for the Mason Contractors Association of America.