SPEC MIX to Provide AIA CES Credits at CSI CONSTRUCT

Words: Dan KamysSPEC MIX to Provide AIA CES Credits at CSI CONSTRUCT

SPECMIX Inc. has partnered with Hanley Wood to host the first-ever “Live Learning Area” during exhibit hours at the 2013 CSI Annual Convention and CONSTRUCT Show.

Designed to offer attendees and AIA members a means to earn learning credits, SPEC MIX technical representatives will give 60-minute, hands-on learning demonstrations that illustrate the real factors that can impact the quality, compressive and bond strength, and consistency of colored masonry mortar.

Each session will teach the audience how to select and specify the correct mortar based on building design and masonry units selection. This will be followed by a live demonstration of the key steps for the installation of masonry units with mortar, as taught by skilled masons. Although the course is free and open to all CONSTRUCT participants, upon completing the course all AIA registered members will be awarded 1 Learning Unit that also meets the Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) criteria.

Promoted to building design professionals as the most cost effective strategy for combining educational opportunities with practical, real-world, product and service solutions, the CONSTRUCT Show is scheduled for Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 25-27 at the Music City Center. This conference is dedicated to the institutional, industrial and commercial building industry. 

Considering masonry is viewed as one of the most preferred forms of construction, the SPEC MIX mortar presentation will undoubtedly provide useful information to attendees. As the industry leader of preblended cementitious products, SPEC MIX is committed to educating the construction industry on the latest developments in masonry.

After 20 years of making presentations and working closely with architects who design with masonry, it is evident the majority of these professionals are surprised to learn that not all mortar is created equal. Mortar quality significantly affects building design, integrity and durability. SPEC MIX has teamed with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to provide a comprehensive accredited course titled “Factory Preblended Mortar for Masonry Construction”, which has changed how many design firms select and specify mortars and grouts for new buildings and restoration projects. This presentation is the content foundation for the CSI CONSTRUCT Show Live Learning session.

As of January 2013, under CES education mandates, AIA members are required to satisfy a minimum of 18 Learning Unit credits (LUs) per year. Of this total, 12 LUs must meet the Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) criteria. The SPEC MIX Live Learning presentation meets this HSW requirement making the course even more valuable to attendees seeking Learning Units.

SPEC MIX Live Learning Objectives:

  • How mortar is made
  • What the role of mortar is in masonry construction
  • How types of mortar are defined
  • How to specify consistent mortar every time
  • How Sand Bulking can affect the quality of your mortar
  • How inconsistent mix proportions can affect the quality control and performance of mortar
  • Why efflorescence in mortar occurs

Class Hours:

?? Wednesday, Sept. 25th ???11:30-12:30 PM & 2:00-3:00 PM

?? Thursday, Sept. 26th ??? 8:30-9:30 AM & 11:00 AM-Noon

?? Friday, Sept. 27th ???10:30-11:30 AM

Why Coordinated Material Supply Matters in Modern Masonry Construction
May 2026

The Advantages of Single-Source Supply in Modern Masonry Construction Masonry construction has evolved significantly over the past several decades. While brick and mortar remain the defining elements of masonry walls, the assemblies behind them have beco

Remembering John Chrysler
May 2026

The masonry industry lost one of its most steadfast champions with the passing of John Chrysler at his home in Texas. He is survived by his wife, Debbie.

The Gary Joyner Masonry Scholarship: Investing In The Future
May 2026

The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA) Eastern Chapter has launched the Gary Joyner Masonry Scholarship at Pitt Community College in Greenville, North Carolina. The annual award honors one of the trade's most influential figures while

Shaver And Spencer Are 2026's Masonry Hall Of Fame Inductees
May 2026

After a record-breaking 27 nominations, the MCAA is pleased to announce that the selection committee has chosen Ryan Shaver and John Spencer to enter the Masonry Hall Of Fame. They will be formally inducted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 during the MC