August 2008: President's Message

Networking: Not just a buzz word

Tom Daniel President, Mason Contractors Association of America

Over the years, many of my friends and business acquaintances have asked me what I get out of my membership and participation in the MCAA. I share the following story with them.

Several years ago, I received a call from a general contractor from the Phoenix area. He said they had a job in Indio, Calif., and our company had been referred to him by Sutter Masonry in Phoenix. I bid the job and was awarded the contract. The job turned out well for us. Most recently, the same general contractor called us again for a job in La Quinta, Calif. We were awarded that job, too.

To date, we have done more than $6 million dollars in work for this contractor. My point is, I would never have had this opportunity if I had not been an active member of the MCAA. It was my involvement with the MCAA that allowed me to meet Mike Sutter, the owner of Sutter Masonry, who also is a regional VP for the MCAA. We may only have the chance to see each other and our fellow MCAA contractors twice a year — at the annual convention and at the mid-year meeting — but during this time together, we are able to build friendships and to "network."

This is not an isolated story. I have heard many similar stories during the years. If you are not currently a member of the MCAA, I encourage you to join. I guarantee that you and your business will benefit, and you may make a few friends along the way. If you are a member of the MCAA, you have an excellent opportunity to be a part of this invaluable networking.

Sept. 14 - 17, the MCAA is holding its second formal meeting of the year in Park City, Utah. This will be an excellent opportunity to take advantage of gathering and networking with fellow contractors. Even if you don't pick up a job from this meeting, you will gain valuable insight into the operations of some of your fellow contractors in non-competing markets, as well as share ideas about our business. As they say in the MasterCard commercials, the value of this is "priceless." Check out all the details today at the MCAA Web site, www.masoncontractors.org.