Masonry Magazine September 2007 Page. 8
President's Message
MCAA Looking to Expand Masonry Markets
Frank Campitelli, President
Mason Contractors Association of America
The MCAA Board of Directors recently approved a 20-percent dues increase that went into effect July 1, 2007. The revenues raised as a result of that increase will be set aside for use by the organization's Marketing Committee, specifically to fund programs that promote masonry and expand masonry's market share. Results from the program will be realized in early 2008.
The Committee received and approved the utilization of $125,000 of these funds for the development of MasonrySystems.org. This new site is expected to be up and running in early 2008, and will be a clearinghouse for every available design resource the industry has to offer; it will be a one-stop site where designers can have just about any question related to masonry design answered. MasonrySystems.org was initiated by the Masonry Executives Council, which is raising additional funding to support the marketing and execution of the website.
In addition to MasonrySystems.org, the Marketing Committee has dedicated $75,000 over the next three years to help launch a bi-monthly publication, titled Masonry Design. The magazine will be sent to targeted members of the design community, with more than 17,000 subscribers receiving the initial publication in January 2008. Masonry Design's features and departments will highlight the design elements, advantages, beauty and life cycle of masonry systems, making the publication a perfect complement to MasonrySystems.org.
While there are many other worthwhile projects to fund, the available resources that MCAA has are limited. The two programs that MCAA has agreed to fund will utilize most of the money generated by the dues increase and assessment. Which brings me to my final point:
The MCAA is only as effective as the mason contractors who support it. With nearly 1,000 members out of the 17,000 mason contractors working in this country, we have tremendous room for growth. Your support of the MCAA helps build and develop our industry. If you are not a member of the MCAA, please consider joining our efforts today. While the MCAA will never stop working to grow and better our industry, the collective support of our industry can have a dramatic impact on our success.
I encourage you to contact the MCAA office and ask about the programs and services we offer, if nothing else, read the Q&A article in this issue with the new MCAA Executive Director and see what you think of the future direction of organization (see page 12). There are some very exciting times ahead of us in this industry, and I can assure you that you will be pleased to see some of our future plans.
For more information on becoming a member of MCAA, call (800) 536-2225, or visit www.masoncontractors.org.
MCAA
New Member.
The Mason Contractors Association of America is proud to welcome the following new members to the Association. MCAA would like to take this opportunity to thank them for joining their fellow mason contractors nationwide in helping to build a strong masonry industry. MCAAs members look forward to a long association with their firms.
Lewis Wilson Concrete Inc.
13923 Raulerson Road
Riverview, Florida
Volume Classification: B
Mid-Continental Restoration
532 W. Walnut Street
Jacksonville, Illinois
Volume Classification: A
Midwestern Masonry Inc.
11315 Moonlight Terrace
Olathe, Kansas
Volume Classification: A
Shepherd Masonry Inc.
P.O. Box 213
Lansing, North Carolina
Volume Classification: A
If your company is interested in becoming a member of the Mason Contractors Association of America as a contractor, supplier, or instructor, please contact MCAA at (800) 536-2225, or complete an application at www.masoncontractors.org
There are some very exciting times ahead of us in this industry.
The Voice of the Masonry Indust