Masonry Magazine August 1977 Page. 6

Masonry Magazine August 1977 Page. 6

Masonry Magazine August 1977 Page. 6
28th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE & SHOW
MCAA
MARCH 11-16, 1978
LAS VEGAS HILTON

The conference theme "The Big Change...In '78" was similarly chosen because of notable changes that have been made to improve this annual event slated for next March. The MCAA Executive Board for some time has been studying the scheduling and entire conduct of the Association's annual meeting and show. It had become quite evident that the months of January and early February-MCAA's traditional meeting times have been cluttered with construction industry conventions and trade shows. With that in mind, the Board took the 1978 conference site and dates under advisement. The wanted result is that the adjustment in location and dates will provide the Association with more adequate facilities for the Educational Trade Show, demonstration, and meetings.

The reason Las Vegas was chosen-in addition to the Las Vegas Hilton's excellent accommodations-is because the "city without clocks" can fit into anybody's schedule, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. MCAA conferees in the "entertainment capital of the world" won't have to worry about missing anything-whether it be an important daytime meeting or the biggest names in show business. Since nighttime action in Las Vegas does not start warming up until 10 p.m., there will be plenty of time in the day for conference business. And since Las Vegas is a 24-hour town, conferees will not have to rush to dinner before a restaurant closes or worry about missing an early evening performance of a favorite entertainment personality.

The choosing of the hotel itself was, as always, a prime consideration. Since MCAA last met at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1974, the hotel has undergone phenomenal expansion. In a move unparalleled in the resort world, the Las Vegas Hilton-already the country's largest resort hotel-recently added a second 30-story, 644-room tower with a massive, high-fashion shopping center attached. It is now putting the finishing touches on a $7.5 million pavilion where MCAA's business sessions and Trade Show will be held.

The new pavilion is a masterpiece of design and engineering. This facility will offer 44,000 square feet of clear-span exhibit space, with a minimum ceiling height of 24 feet and a maximum of 36 feet. MCAA is currently negotiating with the hotel so that the exhibit area can surround a demonstration space, with a view toward scheduling an equipment demonstration on one of the afternoons.

And who doesn't want to go to Las Vegas? Studies taken by the Las Vegas Convention Authority show over the years that 50 percent of conventions have set attendance and registration records in Las Vegas, as opposed to other cities. More than 50 percent of the organizations have returned to Las Vegas over the past four years, some up to six times. Prior to 1959 few conventions were held in that city. By 1976, a total of 4,422 gatherings have been held there, attracting more than 3.6 million delegates. Through 1985 there are over 450 conventions already booked for Las Vegas. During 1977 there will be seven conventions which will have attendance in five figures, and 27 more in that category from 1978 to 1985. So Las Vegas isn't kidding when it says: "Get more done, then have more fun."


The Three Faces of Las Vegas
1. The face of glamour: the glitter of downtown and the Strip: the romance of casino gaming tables; luxurious resort surroundings, and the finest entertainment in the world.

showcase," Ebeling said. "We anticipate that the term will take on new meaning for members of and suppliers to the masonry industry throughout the United States and Canada. "We want to continually stress that our meetings are of a truly educational nature, dedicated to the improvement of masonry construction, and not merely social gatherings."

Hoover Dam Spectacular-35 miles south of Las Vegas, Hoover Dam puts on its own show as water gushes across the 100-yard-wide canyon through needle valves five feet in diameter. Hoover Dam is not only the single most popular visitor site in southern Nevada but it produces hydroelectric power and releases irrigation water from Lake Mead for the Southwest.

6 MASONRY/AUGUST, 1977