Masonry Magazine April 2004 Page. 79
MCAA News
Local, State and Regional
Chicago
The 48th annual Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) convention and Construct America show will be held at McCormick Place, April 21-23.
Attendees are CSI members and design and construction industry professionals who determine the products and materials that will be used on projects. They represent the full range of the project delivery process, from the architects and specifiers who make the initial decision, to the specifications writers who document the decision, to contractors and trade contractors who make the ultimate procurement choices.
The recent co-location of the CSI Show and the TFM Show at Construct America brings a dramatic increase in participation by facilities owners and managers, and the future co-location of the Masonry Showcase in 2005 adds yet another dimension to the attendee profile. The result is a unique event that locates substantial purchasing power under one roof for a few days each year.
The five Board Members of the MCA of Greater Chicago (MCAGC) spent a February day in Washington touring the "Masonry Variations" exposition, sponsored and built by the International Masonry Institute (IMI) and various architects, engineers, and trowel tradesmen and women.
The remarkable "Variations" included presentations of thinly sliced marble, a movable brick mobile, an incredible jagged to smooth terrazzo presentation and an AAC project that marveled all.
IMI's President, Joan Calambokidis, and National Director of Market Development, David Sovinski, met the MCAGC delegation to explain the different exhibits and answered questions regarding their implementation.
Marian Marshall, MCAA's Director of Government Affairs, later met with the group to bring them up-to-date with the Association's efforts in Washington. Her professionalism and insight into the industry's needs made support an easy choice for the MCAGC Board.
In March, the organization and members also took part and enjoyed the MCAA's Masonry Showcase in Las Vegas.
Maine
Reported by the Portland Press Herald, "Legislature mulls statewide building code," February 9, 2004:
A legislative committee Tuesday takes up a proposal to establish a voluntary statewide building code, a move that proponents say could lead to safer buildings.
Maine is among only a handful of states without a building code. Previous proposals for a statewide code were defeated after municipalities said they would usurp home rule.
Sen. Lynn Bromley, D-South Portland, who chairs the Business Research and Economic Development Committee, said the latest proposal addresses concerns of towns and cities and has a better chance of winning approval.
The code would be voluntary and communities could amend it to reflect specific conditions within a region.
Proponents of a statewide building code say it would raise the quality of construction across the state and possibly reduce costs to consumers.
Also before Bromley's committee is a related proposal put forward by the Attorney General's Office that would have required building contractors to be licensed. That measure appears to have stalled, although the building code proposal could incorporate some aspects of the licensing plan.
Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois and Texas do not have commercial building codes. New Hampshire adopted a statewide code in 2002.
Michigan
The Michigan Mason Contractors Association had a large number of its membership participate in the MCAA Masonry Showcase in March. In addition to the activities planned by the MCAA, we welcomed members and their guests to a reception at the Venetian Hotel & Casino Sunday evening, March 21. A golf outing was held Monday morning at Rhodes Ranch Golf Club, followed by lunch and a general membership meeting.
Regional News continued on page 78