Report of the MCAA South of 40 Committee

Words: Imani Brodie

Mission Statement

The mission of the South of 40 is to provide members the opportunity to learn, to become more involved, and introduce a youthful voice into the masonry industry. We will accomplish this by fostering lasting relationships, encouraging new ideas, and educating the leaders of tomorrow with the objective of increasing the masonry market share and ensuring our industry is as solid as the products we promote.

South of 40 Event at Señor Frog’s

The MCAA’s South of 40 annual fundraising event will be held Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at Señor Frog’s from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. Proceeds from this event will benefit The Masonry Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and will be distributed to programs that help support masonry education, research, and training. Tickets will be available to purchase at the door.

More than $17,000 in sponsorships has been collected for the event. Thank you to each of the sponsors for supporting the South of 40 event!

MasonrySystems.org

Website statistics (from January 1 — December 13, 2015):
  • Sessions
    • 2013: 38,019
    • 2014: 78,894
    • 2015: 114,588
  • Unique Users
    • 2013: 32,985
    • 2014: 68,793
    • 2015: 101,311
  • Pageviews
    • 2013: 91,875
    • 2014: 196,585
    • 2015: 247,901
The site has had visitors from over 180 different countries.

As demonstrated from the statistics above, visits and users continue to increase year-to-year just from word of mouth promotion and limited advertising. As sponsorship dollars increase and widespread advertising becomes a reality, these numbers will only continue to grow.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship opportunities are available to accommodate any budget. These sponsorships are the primary revenue generator for the website.
  • MEC Dues ($1,000.00/year)
    Each state association is encouraged to pay this fee once per year to help offset costs.

  • Banner Advertisements ($500.00/year)
    For any supplier, contractor, or other affiliate who may be interested in a banner ad placed throughout the website.

  • Online Sponsorship ($250.00/year)
    Names of these sponsors will be featured on the “Sponsorship” page with a link to that company’s website.
Every sponsorship dollar is put back into the MasonrySystems.org promotional effort. Contributions help fund MasonrySystems.org and allow for continued improvements to the site and to promote the use of masonry throughout the country, but more specifically, in local markets.

Banner advertisements and sponsorships can be purchased online at www.masonrysystems.org/advertise.

Committee

We are working to re-engage South of 40 members. All MCAA members are encouraged to involve their younger upcoming leadership in our organization. Please reach out to Imani or Michael to learn more about getting involved.
Contractor Tip of the Month: Get Used to the Pain
April 2026

Pain isn’t just negative; it’s a natural part of growing and improving. Instead of seeing pain as a reason to quit, recognize it as a sign you’re making progress. What sets successful people apart is their ability to stay calm and keep going when things g

Damian Lang
Contractor Tip of the Month
Read More
Fechino Files: Diesels Below 32 Degrees
April 2026

I am guessing that if you are reading this, then you experienced the cold, late-January spell that took over most of the country. The cold weather has many effects on the operations of a masonry contractor, from job shutdowns to equipment starting issues,

Steven Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More
Outreach Outlook: Building Momentum Across the Southern Region
April 2026

As April arrives, the pace of our outreach and workforce efforts across the Southern Region reaches a new level of intensity. This is the time of year when our programs, partners, and state collaborators all accelerate at once. SkillsUSA competitions are

Conner Birdsong
Outreach Outlook
Read More
Marvelous Masonry: Elbphilharmonie
April 2026

Most people know the Elbphilharmonie for its glass façade and dramatic roofline. From a distance, that’s what defines the skyline in Hamburg’s HafenCity district. But for masonry contractors and suppliers, the real story starts at the base.

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More