2014 MCAA Midyear Meeting

Words: Mark KempIt’s time to mark your calendars for MCAA’s Midyear Meeting, Sept. 10-13, in my hometown of Milwaukee. We have some great things planned for not only you, but also your significant other. My wife, Pauline, and I are excited to roll out the cheese carpet for you all.

Following is a brief outline of some of the events:

TEAM Awards Dinner at the Harley-Davidson Museum®

Wednesday, September 10 — 5:30 - 8:00 PM

The 2014 Midyear Meeting will kick off with the 2014 TEAM Awards. This year's event will be hosted at the world famous Harley Davidson Museum®. History roars to life at the Harley-Davidson Museum®. It's the best of American design and culture - seasoned with freedom and rebellion, showcased in a landmark building. See why the Museum is one of Milwaukee's top tourist destinations.

After visiting the museum, spend the night with your fellow celebrities of the masonry world as we celebrate the best of the best in the industry and announce the winners of the annual Tribute to Exemplary Achievements in Masonry (TEAM) Awards competition. Mason contractors realize that quality masonry projects are the result of strong creative vision and skilled execution. The purpose of the TEAM Awards is to give recognition to these projects and members of the construction team for outstanding accomplishments in masonry design and construction.

Chairman's Reception

Thursday, September 11 — 5:00 PM

I would like to welcome and invite attendees to this unique event. The event will be held in my condo association's event space and my wife, Pauline, and I will welcome folks to visit our home throughout the reception. The MCAA Legislative Committee is working on lining up some additional special guests.

Networking Roundtable Discussions

Friday, September 12 — 9:00 - 12:00 PM

Networking Round Table Discussions will engage different positions within a masonry company The group will address and discuss issues of relevance to the duties they perform. The session will have an appointed leader from within the segment. That person will initiate conversation and coordinate the time for the group. Attendees should be prepared to participate in conversation about the issues at hand and should be willing to share best practices.

This is a great opportunity to openly discuss topics with other peers from around the country in a non-competitive atmosphere and for your company to walk away with a host of new best practices to implement in your company.

Closing Dinner at The Horny Goat

Friday, September 12 — 5:30 - 8:00 PM

The Closing Dinner is sponsored in part by the MCAA South 40 Committee. It will be a unique and different event. The event will be casual dress and will be held outdoors (weather permitting). Shorts will likely be the dress of choice. The evening will be held at the infamous Milwaukee microbrewery the Horny Goat. The evening will begin with a boat trip down the Milwaukee River and a stop at Barnacle Buds. Our boats will dock for a brief 30 minute reception at one of the more secluded treasures of Milwaukee. After the reception, the boats will continue down the river until we dock at the Horny Goat. The Horny Goat will have a pig roast dinner waiting for us. The dinner will be a buffet with plenty of food choices. During and after dinner we will have a live band playing music and will have a host of games available for all to participate in, including Giant Jenga, and bags.

Speed Dating

Saturday, September 13 — 8:00 - 12:00 PM

"Speed Dating" is a rapid series of short and concise business-to-business meetings between mason contractors and manufacturer/suppliers to openly discuss business needs as well as the latest product and equipment innovations advancing the masonry industry.

As a contractor, you'll meet with nine companies set up in an intimate setting, where they'll present to you their latest products and services. Once that meeting is over, you'll move on to the next appointment to learn how that company will improve your organization's business and increase profitability.

Ladies Program

The MCAA is proud to introduce a very special program specific to the ladies of the MCAA. This is a great opportunity to join with the other ladies and enjoy some time together and reconnect since the last meeting. The ladies will have a breakfast Thursday morning at 9:30 AM in the very nice Jackson room of the Marriott hotel. This will be a very relaxed breakfast and will be two hours in length to enjoy each other’s company.

Friday the ladies will journey to the Café Benelux with Pauline Kemp leading the way for a nice lunch. The Benelux is just a short walk from the hotel and is in the historic third ward market area. After a refreshing lunch the ladies will make their way to the infamous Milwaukee indoor market for some unique shopping opportunities.

We contractors will have our planning meeting for the committee chairs, board meeting, and round table discussions, during which you can sit down with your peers and talk openly about problems or ask questions on things that relate to your company.

Visit www.masoncontractors.org/midyear for additional information and to register for the 2014 MCAA Midyear Meeting. We would love to show you a good time.
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