Masonry Magazine December 1996 Page. 18
47th MCAA
Confernce & Masonry Expo
Returns to Site of First Expo
In January 15, 1997, the MCAA Conference and MASONRY EXPO will return to the site of the first and most successful MASONRY EXPO. Once again, Phoenix, Arizona will play host to mason contractors attending these two annual events, making Phoenix the place to be.
Why Phoenix? How about a few reasons.... Phoenix in January, that says it all for many of us The Old West with cook-outs, horseback riding, cowboy shoot-outs. Year-round sunshine (300 days on average) and mild temperatures, a yearly average temperature of 72 degrees. Low humidity means no bad-hair days and 140 golf courses (again, that says it all for some of us).
Not sold yet. Then how about the two most important reasons: The 47th Annual Conference of the Mason Contractors Association of America and the 7th Annual MASONRY EXPO.
Since that first meeting, seven years ago, the city of Phoenix and MASONRY EXPO have grown considerably. The city itself, with its newly renovated Phoenix Civic Plaza and the revitalization of down town Phoenix that added trees, light towers and benches, new restaurants and nights spots. To MASONRY EXPO with its more than 200 exhibits from every product line in the masonry industry, offering the opportunity to discover new products, industry trends, and compare product lines and costs. The one big, exciting change with this year's MASONRY EXPO is that for the first time MASONRY EXPO is a "selling show". Exhibitors will be selling on the show floor, offering discounts and incentives on products and services. Place an order at EXPO and save your company thousands of dollars.
Educational Programs
In addition to the thousands of dollars in savings at EXPO, the Mason Contractors Association will make you rich in education. Attendees will have the opportunity to choose from eleven educational programs. These programs will begin on Wednesday, January 15, with two seminars being presented by two very popular MCAA Speakers, Al Roach and Charles VanderKooi. Al Roach will be presenting a seminar entitled "Why Good Employees Leave", which will help you understand why good employees leave, and what you, as a manager or owner can do to keep them. Charles VanderKooi will take an in-depth look at "Overhead". Mr. VanderKooi will walk participants through a detailed look at what overhead is and what it is not. The educational programs continue with 9 workshops being offered starting Friday, January 17 and running through Sunday, January 19. Topics will include Mortar and Grout, Workman's Compensation, Masonry Restoration, The 530 Code and a special 4 hour extended presentation on
Workforce Training. This workshop will be held at Metro Tech Vocational High School and will include the training presentation, open panel discussion and a tour of the vocational training facility.
MCAA Opening Session Breakfast
Other highlights include the MCAA Opening Session Breakfast to be held Thursday, January 16, with guest speaker Rocky Bleier, legendary fullback from Notre Dame, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hear Rocky's inspirational story of his two-year battle to overcome leg injuries suffered in Vietnam and return and continue his 12-year career with the Steelers, making big plays and contributing to four Super Bowl victories. In addition, the Opening Breakfast will feature MCAA President Donald Grant giving the association's "State Of The Association" address, highlighting the year's past accomplishments and future initiatives.
The Mason Contractors Association will once again host the International Excellence in Masonry Competition. Its purpose is to give recognition, on an international scale, to mason contractors, architects and engineers for outstanding accomplishments in masonry design and construction. Again, this year, entries will be judged through an independent panel of judges, including architects and contractors.