Masonry Magazine April 2000 Page. 45
MCAA
The magazine is a source of information for our readers. With the success that the magazine has enjoyed and with the improvement in MASONRY's features, we look forward to adding an additional 6,000 mason contracting firms to our readership bringing our readership to over 15,000. This growth in circulation is extremely important to continue the growth in MCAA's membership, publication sales and the expansion of our trade show. More importantly, this expanded circulation in MASONRY allows the MCAA to communicate key industry issues and MCAA's position on those issues to every mason contractor in the nation. Equally important, this expanded circulation allows us to galvanize mason contractors to respond to the issues of the day. We look forward to even greater growth and influence in MASONRY Magazine.
Training & Recruiting
One of the prime directives for the association is to challenge the entire masonry industry to expand our workforce. Working together, our industry has the capability to solve our workforce shortages. Working individually, we will continue to face substantial shortages for years to come. Regardless of how much we must work together, no one has a greater responsibility to lead in this area than the MCAA. Developing our workforce, regardless of whether our workforce is union or open shop, is the job of the mason contractor and the MCAA. I must add most mason contractors receive low grades in this area. As contractors we spend most of our time overseeing projects, collecting money, making payroll and trying to get the next job. Yet one of our greatest needs as contractors is a well-skilled workforce. However, we spend virtually no time recruiting our future workforce.
The MCAA took a large step forward this year toward solving future workforce needs. The Masonry Skills Challenge, which will take place Thursday in the exhibit hall, has already become a national spotlight for our industry's training. The best apprentices our industry has to offer, as determined by regional competitions, will compete against each other to find the best of the best. The Masonry Skills Challenge already has ignited excitement in training in each of our nine regions as well as in Canada. I applaud the efforts of our Training Committee whose foresight in establishing the Masonry Skills Challenge will pay dividends for years to come.
MCAA member and families enjoyed a Farewell Banquet in Universal Studios Florida at the 1999 Convention.
Sea World played host at the Welcome Reception for more than 600 MCAA members and guests. One of the highlights was the Clyde and Seamore Show.
MASONRY SHOW
THE MASONRY SHOW is the associations trade show for mason contractors and debuted February 2000 in Las Vegas Nevada.