April 2014: From the Editor

Words: Dan KamysApril 2014

From the Editor

The Greatest Show on Earth

Jennifer Morrell

Jennifer Morrell Editor jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com

Guess who: a person with ice applied to sore knees, pulled back muscles, and more than 20 miles traveled by foot in about three days. Sounds like an athlete, huh? Maybe a NBA or NHL player? Actually, that person is me – after a trip to Las Vegas to cover Conexpo.
Masonry Editor Jennifer Morrell checks out a breaker from Chicago Pneumatic. Masonry Advertising Director Marvin Diamond tests the Hilti TE 30-A36 Cordless Combihammer.
The number of attendees at the 2014 Conexpo-Con/Agg show last month was estimated at 150,000. I believe this estimation to be true. This, the largest trade show I ever have or, most likely, ever will cover, was a booming success. Meeting appointments with our masonry industry clients every half hour sometimes required a light jog across the many concrete lots. All of my time playing Pacman and Frogger as a kid paid off as I maneuvered the aisles of the crowded halls. This show only takes place every three years, and although the Masonry Magazine team returns feeling a little battered and bruised, we all agree it’s a highly productive trip. Even better than the sprawling array of construction equipment is the variety of attendees from nearly every culture and country you can name. It’s a gentle reminder of just how important our business is – not only in the United States – but around the globe. If you missed the show this time around, I suggest you try to make the 2017 Conexpo-Con/Agg show. If you did attend Conexpo/ Con/Agg this year, I’d love to learn about your experience and see your photos. Email me at jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com, or post to our Facebook page: book.com/pages/MASONRY-Magazine/91787184694. Return to Table of Contents
Case Study: Kyle Field at Texas A&M
June 2026

The $450 million redevelopment of Texas A&M’s football stadium, Kyle Field, was one of the most high-profile projects in Echelon and Amerimix history. With the renovation, Kyle Field’s capacity increased to 102,733, making it the biggest college stadium i

Case Study
Read More
Australian Bricks vs American Bricks: What 24 Hours of Travel Teaches You About the Trade
June 2026

Bricklaying might not change simply because you cross a state line. It does change when you travel 24 hours to the other side of the world and lay bricks under lights, cameras, and a stopwatch. The fundamentals of the trade are universal. Brick, mortar,

Technical Talks
Read More
2026 Masonry Foundation Grants Now Open
June 2026

The Masonry Foundation is dedicated to advancing the masonry industry and is accepting grant applications for 2026. Proposals should have national reach and aim to generate substantial progress within the masonry industry. To explore examples of past gra

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More
Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace
June 2026

As a business owner and leader, taking the mental health of your employees seriously and understanding how it can impact their work is essential. In fact, one in five adults experiences a mental health condition annually. Addressing mental health is more

Patrick Cunningham
MAP Partner
Read More