Masonry Magazine April 1999 Page. 32
MCAA
MCAA Conference
by Rachel Young, Director of Meetings and Conventions
The 1999 MCAA National Convention and Exhibition proved to be a codifying success for attendee and exhibitor alike. While in Orlando, the Mason Contractors Association of America implemented new programs exemplifying their revived philosophy of exceeding expectations and providing outstanding service. Response from both exhibitors and attendees was overwhelmingly positive and highly enthusiastic.
The 49th Annual Convention began like many before with the traditional Golf Classic-but even here golfers were privy to the MCAA verve. Held at the Ridgewood Lakes Golf Course, the competition took on a life of its own when golfers discovered they were competing for hundreds of dollars in Las Vegas gambling chips for next year's Masonry Show.
The following morning MCAA attendees were treated to hilarious improv comedy by Laughing Stock Comedy Company. Shortly before the performance began, MCAA President Donald Larsen presented the annual report on the State of the Association and the goals for the upcoming year. During their performance, the 3 comedians proved improvisation is truly an art and the masonry industry can be truly funny. The roar of the crowd was infectious with laughter as Past President Donald Grant became the coo-coo of a prize winning coo-coo clock for the Masonry Game Show. The audience literally had to settle down before the show could continue. As the comedians stepped off stage, attendees broke into committee meetings to plan for the future of the masonry industry and its changing environment.
That evening, attendees and exhibitors both gathered at Sea World to attend the Opening Reception. This reception was one of the more evident changes in the program this year. Traditionally attendees were invited to mingle on the show floor. This past year the MCAA responded to requests and moved the reception to a more social atmosphere. The result was a record breaking attendance at our exclusive evening at Sea World. Attendance more than doubled records in year's past as over 600 guests attended. Guests received more than expected during the Shamu Rocks America Show when the performing whales ceased performing!!!
The audience was privy to a rare "argument" amongst the whales and watched the trainers quickly react to save the show. Although the intended high-energy and techno-beat portion of the performance was cut short, the audience was mystified by the real life situation and quick recovery of the trainers. By the end of the show all 6 whales were again performing in unison with amazing perfection! The MCAA thanks their corporate sponsors for making this event possible: Marshalltown Trowel Co., Non-Stop Scaffolding, Traverse Lift.
Shamu was still the talk of the convention as attendees moved on to the educational events the next morning. The workshops covered strategies for both running a competitive contracting business and staying current with the new codes and standards.
Sessions ranging from employee turnover to the new Wall Bracing Standard to OSHA's new scaffolding standard were attended by record breaking numbers. Nearly 150 people attended wall bracing and scaffolding seminars. Previous highs were limited to 60 participants. Later that morning a brunch was held