Midyear: A Well-Earned Reward

Words: Dick DentingerAs managers or owners involved in the masonry industry, there are of course some perks that land on your plate. Such as a lot of extended workhours, calls, texts, and emails on weeknights or on weekends. The stresses, anxieties, pressures, and responsibilities that follow us around each day can make it hard to really enjoy our free time. This is one of the reasons why our company has always chosen to participate in the MCAA Midyear conventions.

The Midyear meetings are an opportunity to reward ourselves for the hard work we put in throughout the year at our companies. There is no question the networking that takes place with other stakeholders in the industry is extremely valuable. That is absolutely the case for me and my wife. Mason contractors from all over the country and the representatives from key manufacturers and suppliers in masonry have become our close friends and allies from years of attending the mid-year events. We all work so hard to protect our businesses and provide a promising career for those in our companies that it is really enjoyable to spend time with others from around the country who share the same concerns and challenges we do back home. So, the time away at a Midyear convention has always been a rewarding experience.

However, in my opinion, the icing on the cake is the fact that the MCAA Midyear is always held at a top-shelf venue and has a relaxed and casual feel throughout the entire convention. There are always fun events and outings where we get an opportunity to spend a few days talking shop while also seeing different parts of the country we otherwise wouldn’t likely ever get around to seeing. Quite frankly, Midyears have a feel of an all-inclusive retreat of sorts. We still take calls, make calls, and tend to business, but we always have plenty of free time to take a cleansing breath and get recharged before heading back home. And when we do leave, we do so with more intel about our industry and with strengthened friendships that will last our entire careers and beyond.

My family has attended MCAA Midyear meetings since the 1970s. We never miss it! I genuinely recommend rewarding yourself for the hard work that you put into managing your business all year. Treat yourself and take part in the MCAA Midyear conventions. You’ve earned it!

About: Convention
Acme Brick Company Continues as a Gold Partner in 2027
November 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is proud to announce that Acme Brick Company will continue as a Gold Partner in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

MAP Partner
MAP Partner
Read More
The Frustration Of Firefighting
November 2026

I find it fascinating what happens when an owner or executive leader walks into a struggling project. Morale picks up. Production improves. People communicate better. Meetings get sharper. Problems that have been sitting around for two weeks suddenly get

Corey Adams
Building More
Read More
Motivate With Money!
November 2026

I get asked about employee incentive and profit-sharing programs with every contractor I coach. Construction business owners seem to be looking for the magic bullet that will motivate their people to work harder and produce more. Some hope that providing

George Hedley
Business Building
Read More
Manufacturer Relationships
November 2026

As a contractor, the last person I wanted to see in my office was a salesman or a sales representative. Now that I better understand being a manufacturer, I see it in a different light. As a contractor, you can control the purchasing of material, understa

Steve Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More