Masonry Magazine March 1975 Page. 9
Chatting on the podium prior to making their talks are (from left) economist George A. Christie, NBC news commentator David Brinkley, GAS administrator Arthur F. Sampson, and John Chapman, former GSA Midwest Region administrator.
1975 MCAA Convention Report
The nation's sagging economy, the soaring cost of living, and their subsequent effects on the U.S. construction industry were the main topics of deliberation at the 1975 MCAA Annual Convention and Educational Trade Show at the Orlando Hyatt House in Kissimmee, Fla., February 19-23.
Nearly 2,200 delegates, Trade Show exhibitors and their families journeyed to sunny Florida to hear nationally known speakers address the business sessions and to relax at golf and take tours of fascinating Disney World in soothing 70-degree temperatures.
This year's meeting marked the 25th anniversary of the founding of MCAA. The significant years were recalled in a half-hour slide show depicting many of the highlights in the continuing development of the Association. The narrated pictorial presentation brought back countless fond memories to veteran members of the early days of MCAA.
The exhibit hall in the Hyatt House Convention Center was literally filled to capacity with approximately 60 exhibitors occupying all of the available display areas. Nineteen of these leading suppliers to the nation's construction industry also participated in the New Ideas, Products and Equipment Showcase with live demonstrations of their equipment in a specially reserved area of the hotel parking lot. Nearly 1,000 mason contractors and other interested spectators were on hand for the two and one-half hour presentation on February 21 under ideal weather conditions.
Companies participating in the event were: Allwash of masonry • March, 1975 Syracuse, Badger Dynamics, Champion Hoist Co., G. R. Ivany & Associates, Koehring Co.'s PCM Division, Liftmaster, Lull Engineering. Mayco Pump Corp., Morgen Manufacturing. Owens Corning Fiberglas Corp., Pettibone Corp., Safway Scaffolding, Signode Corp., Sky Witch, Stone Construction Equipment, TAG Masonry Systems, Tri-Co Products, Ve-O-Vitz Masonry Systems and Waco Scaffolding.
The Showcase, which was staged with clock-like precision, was presented by the MCAA Material Handling Committee under the direction of Jerry Dufour, chairman, with William Dentinger, chairman of the Safety Committee, serving as moderator. Assisting them were committee members Melvin Baum, Roy Elam, Allan Knuth, James Luterbach, Dan Porazzo, Ray Prossen, James Storer and Jack Whaley.
Principal speakers at the convention were NBC newscaster David Brinkley; Arthur F. Sampson, administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration, and George A. Christie, chief economist of McGraw-Hill Information Systems Co. Each received stirring rounds of applause following their presentations from the capacity audience in the huge Convention Center.
The convention officially got under way on Wednesday, February 19, with a 9:30 a.m. meeting of the Executive Board. Written reports were presented by the various board members.