Report of the MCAA Convention Committee
Words: Richard AbramczakThe 1999 Masonry Expo and MCAA Annual Convention will be held in Orlando, Florida, February 17-20. In response to exhibitor's and attendee requests, next years exhibit hours have been condensed into a 2- day show on Friday and Saturday.
Our 1999 exhibit sales have already surpassed our highest records to date. As you can see on the mounted floor plan our current sales are at 24,350 square feet. Take a look to see if your suppliers are in, and if they aren't--- let them know their competitors are. To help you help us; we have created a booklet of who's not in the show - but should be. The booklets are located next to the mounted floor plan. You'll see the green colored areas are those companies exhibiting with the mason contractors. The dual exhibitors (ones we have to split the profits from) are colored in purple.
Scheduling all of our traditional programs into this 2-day period was a great challenge, but the result is a program better than ever. Also new this year, and in direct response to our contractor requests, we are hosting the opening reception at the Sea World "Terrors of the Deep" attraction instead of on the show floor as in years past. Following the reception among sharks, we will have private shows of Shamu Rocks America and the Sea Lion and Otter Show. This reception is one of the many changes you will see incorporated into the 1999 Expo Program.
Education programming for the Annual Convention also has a new twist. We are offering extended educational opportunities in a broader range of subjects. Sessions will begin on Wednesday and then re-convene on Friday and Saturday. Thursday, as in the past, is primarily for association specific meeting functions.
The Expo kick-off will host Mr. Tom DeFrank as the Key Note Speaker. Mr. Tom DeFrank has covered the past 6 presidents for the Washington Bureau and is hysterical telling his inside stories of the President's activities, secret service secrets and overall White House tales. The timing could not have been planned any better than to coincide with the current scandals taking place on Capitol Hill.
Closing our exhibition Saturday evening will be a unique event at Universal Studios Florida. The MCAA has rented out Universal Studios Florida for an evening of high-tech entertainment and continuous laughter. We will have the exclusive opportunity to ride the 5 best Universal attractions and meander through the park's unique shops. All contractor attendees and MCAA exhibitors will be invited to attend all association events. We have strategically planned events for the entire family, especially when selecting spouse activities. A day -long excursion to Kennedy Space Center and an Airboat Tour of the Florida Wetlands has been arranged.
The Registration Brochure is already on the streets, a complete six weeks earlier than last year. A copy of the brochure detailing the exciting programs MCAA is offering can be found in your Mid Year Binder. The early bird registration cut off for significant savings is December 4th. Hotel reservations are already being accepted through Rogal America. The MCAA has chosen the Sheraton World Resort as our headquarter hotel. In addition to all the events taking place at the hotel, they offer a free shuttle to all the Disney resorts for the hotel guests.
You will also find in your Mid Year Binder a copy of the Sponsorship Program sent out to all MCAA exhibitors. Despite our successes in gaining advertising and sponsorships for a portion of the programming at Sea World and Universal Studios Florida, to further reduce the attendee cost to a manageable level, we need to raise additional funding. We are asking for your help to extract contributions from your suppliers. A list of the current sponsors may be found on the exhibitor list in your binder.
The 1999 Expo program is our best ever. This success is largely due to the fact we have incorporated many changes, both internal and external, into our operating procedures. This is just an introduction of what will materialize in the years to come. As you have undoubtedly heard, the Masonry Expo, 1999 will be the last Expo held in conjunction with NCMA, and the other Expo sponsors. Starting in the year 2000, MCAA will launch The Masonry Show. I assure you, all the success, innovation and excitement you have come to expect from the MCAA will continue.