Join the MCAA in Key West

Words: Mark KempDo you like to wear flip-flops, shorts and t-shirts? How about listening to Jimmy Buffet or Island music while you are sitting back with a cold drink in your hand? Then join my family and I, September 28-30 in paradise — Key West, Florida.

This is an experience you cannot afford to miss out on! Picture yourself relaxed and watching one of the most beautiful sunsets while strolling along Mallory Square watching all the street entertainers. If that isn’t enough, join us for a sunset cruise socializing with other MCAA members — no business, just chillin’ and relaxing.

The next day send the kids and wife off to tour Old Key West. They can walk or take the Conch Train while you attend a few meetings. Then get ready to do some deep sea fishing one day, and some back water fishing the next, and don’t forget you have to snorkel and jet ski too! We will be dining at some great restaurants, along with an optional pub crawl planned. Key West is known for some very famous watering holes.

My point is this is going to be a great time for you and your whole family. We will be staying at the Hyatt, which is big enough, yet small enough so we won’t be spilt up. Yes, there is a pool and a small beach if you just want to sit back and relax. The beauty of the Hyatt is its location; far enough to be secluded but close enough to walk to enjoy the nightlife — the choice is yours. So, kick back and join me in Margaritaville, Key West, Florida — I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Five Truths About Final Brick Cleandown
May 2026

Not all truths are self-evident. Sometimes they’re easy to forget or clouded with misunderstanding. The good news is these truths of final cleandown are not hard to implement on your next project to ensure successfully cleaned and beautiful new brick.

Shelf Angles and Their Impact on Wall Performance
May 2026

Shelf angles have long been a standard component in masonry construction. Installed at the slab edge, they provide support for brick veneer and are often treated as a routine detail. However, as building performance requirements evolve, particularly aroun

The Mason’s Mark: Defining the Craft Through the Trowel
May 2026

Walk onto any job site, from a custom residential chimney to a sprawling commercial block wall, and you will hear it before you see it: the distinctive ring of high-carbon steel striking masonry. The trowel is more than just a mortar scoop; it is the cond

Registration Now Open for the 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting in San Antonio, Texas
May 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2026 MCAA Midyear Meeting, set to take place in San Antonio, Texas. This exciting event is scheduled from September 13th-1