The 2019 World of Concrete: The Masonry Industry’s Showcase

Words: The World of Concrete is the biggest event of the year for the masonry industry, and it connects suppliers and contractors in Las Vegas. At the MCAA and MASONRY Publications, the World of Concrete provides us the ability to teach, advocate, and have a little fun. The jam-packed schedule of events for this year’s World of Concrete is sure to keep everyone busy. If you haven’t yet decided what events are of interest, we’re here to help!  Talent Generation: Tools To Manage The Multi-Generational Job Site  Sunday, January 20: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM  Monday, January 21: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM   Las Vegas Convention Center, N212   This virtual pre-event and live learning experience will aid your company in communicating with and managing a multi-generational job site. The experienced team at XYZ University will share tools and insights they’ve developed over 16+ years of generational research and expertise, including improving your internal workforce culture (and ultimately productivity) and best practices for effective workforce development. The course incorporates results from an industry survey conducted by XYZ University on behalf of the Mason Contractors Association of America on the dynamics of intergenerational engagement on the construction job site (white paper available in the November 2018 issue of MASONRY).   At the end of the two-day course, attendees will have a clear understanding and be better equipped to work within the intergenerational dynamics (like talking with millennials!) that exist on the construction job-site.  The learning experience includes a virtual pre-event learning opportunity leading up to the live event at World of Concrete and a live 2-day, interactive learning event at World of Concrete 2019 focusing on the 6 pillars of the Talent Generation model.    DAY 1  8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: MCAA Workforce Initiative – Part 1, including: seminars, workshops, and interactive learning activities  4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Happy Hour Networking Event  DAY 2  8:00 AM – 3:00 PM: MCAA Workforce Initiative – Part 2, including: seminars, workshops, and interactive learning activities  3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Talent Generation Book Signing and Networking Event (included with the price of the seminar)   Includes two light continental style breakfasts, two lunches, a happy hour reception and the Talent Generation: How Visionary Organizations Are Redefining Work and Achieving Greater Success book.  MCAA Committee Meetings  Monday, January 21: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM  Las Vegas Convention Center, N212  Each committee will present a brief overview of accomplishments from the past year and goals for the upcoming year. Members of the MCAA are encouraged to attend as many committee meetings as they would like.   1:00 PM: Safety Committee  1:15 PM: Marketing Committee  1:30 PM: Workforce Development Committee  1:45 PM: South of 40 Committee  2:00 PM: Legislative Committee  2:30 PM: Education Committee  2:45 PM: Technical Committee  3:00 PM: Membership Committee    MCAA Annual Meeting  Monday, January 21, 2019: 3:30 – 5:00 PM  Las Vegas Convention Center, N212  The MCAA Board Meeting is structured to allow interaction and participation from members. Members of the MCAA are asked to attend and take an active role in shaping the future of the association and the masonry industry. An update on activity of The Masonry Foundation will be given as well.  MAC PAC Reception  Monday, January 21, 2019: 5:30 – 6:30 PM  ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas, Lobby Bar    The purpose of MAC PAC is to help elect federal candidates to office who are pro-construction and who have a track record of working with the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) on industry issues. MAC PAC allows you the opportunity to have a national impact on federal elections.    Contributions raised at this event go exclusively to the MAC PAC and will be used to support pro-masonry candidates in the next election cycle.   Cost: Donation required upon entry (minimum $500)  Silica Train-the-Trainer Course  Tuesday, January 22, 2019: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM   Las Vegas Convention Center, N210  The MCAA’s Silica Train-the-Trainer Course is a six-hour program that will train a key employee to train other employees to be a competent person with regard to the written exposure control plan. Certificates will be provided to those who complete the program.  Cost  MCAA Members: $350.00  Non-Members: $700.00  World of Concrete Exhibits   Tuesday, January 22, 2019 – Thursday, January 24, 2019 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM  Friday, January 25, 2019: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM   Las Vegas Convention Center  Approximately 1,300 original manufacturers and distributors of equipment, tools, products and services for the commercial construction, concrete and masonry industries will occupy more than 550,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibit space at the World of Concrete and World of Masonry.  Masonry Innovations & Workforce Development Zone  Tuesday, January 22, 2019 – Thursday, January 24 2019: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM  Friday, January 25, 2019: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM  Las Vegas Convention Center, Bronze Lot  Take part in live, hands-on learning demonstrations that showcase the most recent innovations impacting the masonry industry. From cutting-edge products and equipment to technology-driven software systems and innovative masonry wall systems, experts in their field will provide information and training that will change how masonry projects are built in the immediate future.  This year’s participants include: Construction Robotics CrewTracks IQ Power Tools Cast Stone Institute Iron Age Footwear Husqvarna Construction Products, North America South of 40 Party At Drai’s After Hours  Tuesday, January 22, 2019: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM   Drai’s After Hours   The home of live nightlife entertainment on The Strip, Drai’s After Hours plays host to MCAA’s South of 40 Party. Experience an adventurous party atmosphere featuring a live DJ, delicious appetizers, and drinks that will be served throughout the evening.  Cost:  MCAA Members: $80.00  Non-Members: $105.00  MASONRY MADNESS®  Wednesday, January 23, 2019: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM   Las Vegas Convention Center, Bronze Lot  Don't miss MASONRY MADNESS® at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas! It's a collection of the most exciting masonry competitions in the world and it all takes place on one day, at one location. There's nothing like it on the planet! One event after the other, you'll see the best bricklayers, blocklayers, mason apprentices and tenders battle in four unique masonry contests to prove who is the world's best. You don't want to miss seeing these highly skilled craftsmen compete for the largest value of cash and prizes awarded for any construction industry event held in the world—it's pure MASONRY MADNESS!  Ranked as the top attraction during the World of Concrete/World of Masonry tradeshow, this trowel and mortar party takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center's Bronze Lot. Spectators and webcast viewers will witness an amazing display of human skill and endurance as over 75 masonry warriors fight for the champion title in their respective competitions.  The action in the Bronze Lot is as real as it gets. Anything can happen in Las Vegas, especially during MASONRY MADNESS®, but it only happens once a year, so don't miss out!   MCAA Masonry Skills Challenge  9:00 AM – 12:00 PM   The MCAA's Masonry Skills Challenge is a competition of masonry apprentices in first, second, and third-year skill levels. The contest is a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional competitions held throughout the country to determine the top masonry apprentice at each level. The exciting competition spotlights our industry's finest young masons and focuses attention on careers in the masonry industry.    Contestants are divided by experience level, "First Years" who are just entering the trade through "Third Years" who are just about to enter the workforce as journeymen. Each level is given a project to build appropriate to their know-how.   The catch? The projects are a complete surprise! Contestants must build their project without ever having seen the drawings. They haven't been able to practice, and they can't consult their instructor, employer or anyone else during the competition. They have three hours to complete their projects with the given materials.  Awards are presented to the top three apprentices in each skill level. Come and see who wins top honors this year!   SPEC MIX Toughest Tender®  10:45 AM – 11:30 AM   Prior to the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® competition, each team's tender will prove to the crowd who is the fastest in the "Toughest Tender" contest.  The world's top mason tenders compete for the fastest time setting up their SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® workstation. Watch as they haul tons of brick, block, equipment and materials to beat their peers and take home $2,500 cash and prizes.   The record winning time in this event was set back in 2005 by Felipe Reyes of Connecticut with a time of 11 minutes, 7 seconds.  MCAA’s Fastest Trowel On The Block  11:30 AM – 12:00 PM   The Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition, hosted by the Mason Contractors Association of America, is a showcase of industry craftsmanship and a testament of both the speed and skill of our industry's workforce. Only those journeymen masons who have the skill, confidence and courage to face-off with the industry's best are invited to compete. This contest proves how important teamwork is in accomplishing a final product.  The competition will pit journeyman masons, accompanied by their favorite tender, against one another in a show of both speed and craftsmanship. Each contestant's goal is to complete as much of a 30 foot long wall as possible, using 8"x8"x16" CMU and the provided mortar in a twenty-minute heat. Contestants must have a high degree of workmanship using normal masonry practices and hand tools.  The contest promotes quality training and pride in workmanship among journeymen and contractors, as well as promoting the craftsmanship, speed and versatility of masonry systems and the masonry workforce. This contest also rewards and highlights the country's best mason journeymen for their hard work and dedication to the trade.  SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500®  12:00 PM – 3:00 PM   Who is the nation's best bricklayer? The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® competition at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas will answer the question.  Each team consists of a mason and mason tender building a 26 foot 8 inch, double wythe brick wall. The most bricks laid in one hour and counted under the quality rules wins the event.  Judged by over 20 highly qualified industry experts, the award places are based on the highest brick counts meeting the quality standards and competition rules. The judges will check each mason's wall for workmanship and production to determine who will make it to the winner's circle, where over $100,000 in cash and prizes will be given away.   The champion is awarded the title "World's Best Bricklayer" and handed the keys to drive home in the grand prize, a new Ford F-250 4x4 SuperDuty Truck.  Masonry Executives Council Meeting  Thursday, January 24, 2019: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM  Las Vegas Convention Center, N210  Masonry executives from across the country will share updates from their region and information on upcoming programs.   Masonry Wall Bracing Seminar  Thursday, January 24, 2019: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM   Las Vegas Convention Center, N215  The Masonry Wall Bracing Seminar has been developed to provide contractors with the know-how to confidently design and construct bracing for a variety of common masonry structures.  This course is intended to teach project managers, safety managers, foremen and any other responsible person to understand and implement the OSHA regulation on wall bracing, and the Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls Under Construction. Completion of this course will allow your people to safely and efficiently design adequate masonry wall bracing.  Cost:  MCAA Members: $225.00  Non-Members: $275.00  Networking Roundtables  Thursday, January 24, 2019: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM   Las Vegas Convention Center, N212  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 a 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.  Union Committee Meeting  Thursday, January 24, 2019: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM   Las Vegas Convention Center, N212  The MCAA will host a meeting for all MCAA members who are signatory to union contracts.   Closing Banquet   Thursday, January 24, 2019: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM   Vdara Hotel & Spa  The MCAA Convention closes with a dinner at Vdara where we'll induct the newest members of the Masonry Hall of Fame, and celebrate these individuals who have dedicated their lives to the masonry industry.  This year, Hall of Fame inductees include: Mike Sutter, Clem Hellmann, Alonso Luis, Robert Merrell, Kenny Foeste, and Angelo Tedesco.   Cost:   MCAA Members: $210.00  Non-Members: $260.00
Words: MASONRY Magazine Photos: MASONRY Magazine, Bruce Starrenburg 
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