Masonry Magazine June 2001 Page. 45
MASONRY SHOWCASE EXHIBITOR ROUNDTABLE
Exhibitor Representatives and MCAA Executives met in Chicago to reinforce the commitment of a partnership between the MCAA and the exhibitors of the Masonry Showcase.
Nine Exhibitor Representatives and Five MCAA Executives met in Chicago on Wednesday, April 25 to discuss the future of the MCAA Masonry Showcase. Past shows and future progress of the Masonry Showcase were foremost on the itinerary. "This meeting really shows the commitment to a partnership between the MCAA and the exhibitors of the Masonry Showcase," commented Shiela Hoef of LaFarge Corporation.
Marketing campaigns, diversity of the future attendee base and effectively utilizing the strengths of the MCAA association were discussed. The MCAA unveiled its marketing campaign to attract new attendee markets as well as expand the current contractor base. "The overwhelmingly positive support of the exhibiting companies is exactly what we are looking for. The Showcase is the voice of the masonry industry, and with such strong support from our supplier organizations, the Masonry Showcase is the yearly event that brings the masonry industry together," said Bill McConnell, MCAA Vice-President and Chairman of the Convention Committee.
"If we stay focused on what we are doing here, it will bring the success we are all looking for," raved Damian Lang of EZ Grout Corportation. Faisal Bujazia of Alliance Equipment and Supply added, "we like what the MCAA is accomplishing and we will continue to partner with them on the Masonry Showcase and anywhere else the MCAA is involved. The Masonry Showcase is the contractor's show, and anyone who does not participate in Phoenix will be losing." MCAA Vice President Bill McConnell summarized the valuable meeting best, "It is clear that what we are doing here is maximizing what we as an industry can do for the industry."
The MCAA thanks the following Exhibitor Partners in attendance for their time and dedication to the masonry industry: Alliance Equipment-Faisal Bujazia; EZ Grout Corporation-Damian Lang; Hydro Mobile-Jacques Laine; LaFarge Corporation-Shiela Hoef; Spec Mix Inc-Mark Schumacher; Spec Mix Inc-Brian Carney; Sterling Equipment & Supply-Jim Scott; Pettibone Traverse Lift-Frank Aucoin
HOMEGROWN TOOLS
Homegrown Tools features innovative tools and ideas adapted by contractors from around the country. This column does not accept tools or ideas that are for sale by a manufacturer. The only ideas or tools published will be "homegrown." We encourage readers to submit their own "Homegrown Tools" to the editor of Masonry Magazine at 1910 5. Highland Ave. Ste. 101 Lombard, IL 60148. The publisher of this magazine does not endorse or promote the use of any of these ideas or tools. Readers should evaluate these ideas for safety and effectiveness and adapt their own thoughts on the usefulness of these tools and ideas.
This month's feature submitted by: Steven Fechino, WASCO Masonry, Nashville, TN
RESTORATION WHEELBARROW
Mike Adelizzi, MCAA Executive Director, unveils the marketing campaign to diversify attendee draw while effectively utilizing the strengths of the MCAA.
I do a lot of restoration work for the company where I work. I designed a different type of wheelbarrow tub for our work, which enables us to use the wheelbarrow in less than conventional ways.
**Advantages:**
1. Allows for hand chopping mortar more productively and neatly, reduces clean up time.
2. Designed to allow the use of brick tongs to fit and stack brick neatly.
3. Allows CMU to stack flat in this barrel
4. Works as a mobile mortar pan for small jobs.
**Disadvantages:**
1. Not suitable for use with mechanical mixers.
2. Not good for transporting mortar around jobsites.