Masonry Magazine April 2000 Page. 7
FROM THE PRESIDENT
# No Need For Another Competing Masonry Show
by Richard M. Johnston
President MCAA
This past month, the Mason Contractors Association of America conducted its fiftieth trade show for mason contractors and the first one in the past ten years without a partner. To the surprise of many in our industry, our trade show, THE MASONRY SHOW, was by far the most successful masonry trade show ever. The Board of Directors and general membership of the MCAA can be proud of the event that we experienced in Las Vegas. Nearly every event was sold out. We sold 25% more exhibit space than we did in the last Masonry Expo a year ago in Orlando. In fact, the 35,000 square feet of exhibit space at THE MASONRY SHOW this year was 7,000 square feet more than our record sales last year. Our attendance in Las Vegas was 70% greater than our all time high set during our final EXPO experience. The success we experienced is vindication of MCAA's Executive Board members who made the decision to split from our ten year partnership with EXPO to build a stronger, more comprehensive show experience for mason contractors.
I, for one, thought long and hard about voting to start THE MASONRY SHOW and at times questioned the ability of your association to conduct a total contractor experience. To my amazement we not only delivered record exhibits and attendance levels, but we delivered a program that will be tough to top. Last month in Las Vegas at THE MASONRY SHOW, the Mason Contractors Association of America delivered a highly successful Architect Symposium where thirty nine architects spent three days learning the benefits of masonry. We delivered two skills competitions highlighting our goals of workforce development. The first competition highlighted our industry's best journeymen competing in a fastest trowel event, while the second competition spotlighted regional winning apprentices competing to determine our industry's best apprentices. Even more rewarding is the success the industry experienced with the construction of the first ever all-masonry Habitat for Humanity home built in one day. We owe a debt of gratitude to the twenty seven apprentices and the thirty nine architects who contributed their time to build this home, which I might add, is bringing incredible publicity for the benefits of building with masonry.
So then why is it with all of the success we experienced in Las Vegas, The Aberdeen Group, has chosen to break off a portion of their World of Concrete Show to form a World of Masonry? Could it be that they want to create additional financial resources to invest in industry recruitment and training programs, promotional programs, legislative and safety programs much like the MCAA does with the revenues from our MASONRY SHOW? I personally don't think so. The World of Masonry is owned by Aberdeen, who was acquired by Hanley-Wood, which in turn was bought by an investment group. So where do you think the profits from a World of Masonry Show will go? I for one have a tough time understanding why anyone would try to divert badly needed industry resources out of the industry, when what the masonry industry needs to invest those resources in industry programs protecting our futures. The MCAA provides these resources through revenues from THE MASONRY SHOW. In fact, the MCAA devotes 100% of its membership, magazine and MASONRY SHOW net revenues to these programs. Can Aberdeen make that claim? You will be asked to attend The World of Masonry next year in Las Vegas. Before you decide if you are going to the Aberdeen show next year, please call them at (630/543-0870) and ask them if 100% of Aberdeen's net revenues from their World of Masonry Show will be used for masonry recruitment, training programs, promotional programs, legislative programs, and safety programs for our masonry industry's benefit. In addition, I urge you to call your equipment manufactures and suppliers that are considering the Aberdeen masonry show next year in Las Vegas and ask them if they know that the Aberdeen show, unlike the MCAA Masonry Show, does not support our masonry industry with 100% of its net revenues. According to Masonry Construction Magazines editor Bill Palmer, Aberdeen is conducting a competing mason contractor show because they feel they can conduct a better show. I highly doubt that they can top the experience the mason contractors experienced as they attended our MASONRY SHOW this past year. Personally, I believe that the Aberdeen Group should stick to the World of Concrete and stay out of the masonry trade show business.
As mason contractors, we should support the only show that supports the masonry industry and that show is THE MASONRY SHOW. The temptation will be great for you to attend the World of Masonry next year in Las Vegas because after all, we all feel the allure of Las Vegas. I urge you to resist the temptation and instead, attend the MASONRY SHOW in Orlando next February. I also urge our industry equipment manufacturers and suppliers to consider hard where they spend their exhibit dollars. THE MASONRY SHOW supports programs to expand masonry markets which results in larger sales opportunities for our exhibitors. In addition, THE MASONRY SHOW has proven that we can deliver exhibitor customers to the show. Is there any reason to exhibit in any other show?
I am proud to be the new President of the MCAA and promise to diligently represent each mason contractor within the industry to the best of my ability. I am a strong supporter of the MCAA and believe we represent the masonry industry well. If I was not proud of THE MASONRY SHOW and confident in the ability of the MCAA to deliver a complete SHOW experience, I would not have written this strong editorial. I also believe that the launching of a competing show is a critical issue one that the future of our industry rides on. I urge you to let your equipment suppliers know which trade show you will attend, and tell them you want to see them next February 23-24 at THE MASONRY SHOW in Orlando. After all, it is your show, shouldn't your supplier support you? Tell them to support you and the only trade show that supports the masonry industry.