January 2011: For The Record

Words: Dan Kamys For The Record

World of Concrete/World of Masonry 2011 is upon us, so we’ll be packing our bags and heading out West for a week of learning and networking with our colleagues, old and new. The size and tone of WoC has varied during the last few years, but the show is always strong and beneficial to attendees. Though the week can be exhausting, it rejuvenates our respect for the masonry and construction industries, as well as stokes the entrepreneurial spirit.

I enjoy seeing all of the new products and advancements to our industry. Moreover, it is assuring to see determination and a fighting spirit from the attendees who refuse to let a brutal economy interfere with their will to conduct business. While some people simply can’t afford to attend during tough times – totally understandable – those who can attend send a message of strength to the entire masonry industry.

The MCAA Annual Convention will take place during the week of World of Concrete/World of Masonry as well. You can take courses and “earn while you learn” throughout the week. Also occurring will be the Team Awards, the MAC-PAC Reception, the Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition, the Bricklayer 500 Competition, the South of 40 Event at the Hofbr??uhaus, and more. Visit http://convention.masoncontractors.org for more information.

I hope to see you during the week of Jan. 17 in Las Vegas. Be sure to stop by our booth – N1755 – to say hello, or request a meeting ahead of time with one of our staff who is in attendance. You can email me directly for an appointment at jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com.

??Return to Table of Contents
The Practicality Behind Cavity Walls
February 2026

The construction industry tends to chase certainty. We want walls that never leak, materials that never move, and systems that behave the same in the field as they do on paper. Every generation pushes for a tighter envelope, a thinner assembly, or a smart

Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q1
February 2026

This issue’s questions come from a Mason Contractor and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk. Q. A Mason Contractor states they were asked to construct a brick veneer on a multi-story pr

No Shortcuts: The Journey of Real Stone
February 2026

Have you ever stopped and really thought about how that stone on the wall got there? I don’t mean the install...not the mortar, the scratch coat, or the clean-up. I mean the whole journey. From the first cut in the earth to the

Stop Gambling on the Wall: Why the Modern Jobsite Demands a Sure Thing
February 2026

If you have spent any time walking the carpeted aisles of the World of Concrete, you know the vibe. It is a sensory overload of heavy machinery, slick demos, and the collective optimism of thousands of contractors. We are in Las Vegas, the gambling capita