Masonry Magazine February 2007 Page. 75
An it masonry organization's annual holiday party provided the perfect fundraiser opportunity to support Toys for Tots. During a Victorian-themed dinner party, members donated funds in exchange for dance lessons, billiard games and turns at the poker table. In addition, the 100-plus individuals who attended the event at the Denver Press Club each brought toys to place under the tree for the Toys for Tots program. RMMI Executive Director, Larisa LaBrant, said the organization gathers toy donations at its holiday party for Toys for Tots every year, but that the effort was expanded this year with the added fundraising activities.
RMMI is a consortium of more than 100 companies throughout the states of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. The organization includes brick and concrete masonry manufacturers, stone producers, mason contractors, suppliers and associates. For more information, visit www.mmi.org.
Kentucky
The University Professors' Masonry Workshop will be held March 11-13, 2007, at the University of Louisville, in Louisville, Ky.
This year's workshop has a number of new topics and speakers, but will continue many of the past popular subjects.
A PDF brochure on the workshop with information on topics, speakers, handouts and registration is available at www.masonrysociety.org. Register before Feb. 15 to receive substantial discounts on your registration fee. In addition, sponsorship may be available from your state, local or regional masonry associations.
Michigan
The Michigan Mason Contractors Association continues to make plans to participate in the Masonry Showcase activities in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 22-24, 2007. A general membership meeting and golf outing is being planned for Friday, Feb. 23 at Hawks Landing. Our membership will join with the MCAA and National Concrete Masonry Association for the closing activities at Universal Studios.
For more information about future activities, please visit www.mmca-mi.com.
Nashville
The first national hardscape tradeshow, Hardscape North America, produced by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, and endorsed by the Brick Industry Association and the National Concrete Masonry Association, will be held March 7-10 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. The tradeshow will offer products, technology and knowledge for the hardscaping professional through educational seminars, exhibits and certification courses.
The program will include top-notch seminars on people and business management, site efficiency and sales and marketing, as well as paver installer and segmented retaining wall certification courses.
The exhibit floor will feature more art products and equipment. In addition to 45,000 square feet of indoor floor space, there will be an outdoor exhibit area where contractors will be able to "touch and feel" tools, and exhibitors can showcase their equipment in typical site conditions.
Hardscape North America will also provide excellent opportunities for contractors to network with key manufacturers and suppliers of hardscaping products, construction equipment, vehicles and services.
For additional information, please contact Hardscape North America at (888) 580-9960 ext. 06, or online at www.hardscapenorthamerica.com.
Orlando
The Mason Contractors Association of America's (MCAA) Masonry Showcase will be held in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 22-24, 2007.
MCAA's Masonry Showcase is well known as the show "Where the Industry
Continued Commercial Construction Growth Forecasted for 2007
Sustained growth in the commercial and public sectors is expected to boost cement consumption in 2007 and 2008. The most recent forecast from the Portland Cement Association (PCA) predicts a 7.6 percent consumption increase in 2007 for nonresidential and a 4.4 percent jump in public sector.
Leading nonresidential markets will be industrial, hotel/motel and office. Military and public security construction is expected to contribute the most growth in the public sector.
Edward J. Sullivan, PCA chief economist, anticipates the increase in nonresidential and public markets to be key to overall increases in cement intensities for the next two years. "Because of the relative pricing position of concrete to competing building materials-particularly asphalt, which has recently posted 33 percent price increases-cement intensities are expected to grow by 2 percent in 2007, even when overall consumption is relatively flat."
A modest overall cement consumption of 0.3 percent is forecasted for 2007, with a stronger increase of 2.7 percent in 2008. Cement intensities refers to the tons of cement per dollar of construction activity.
However, Sullivan does not predict cement consumption growth to be shared evenly across the United States. The Great Lakes, Northeast and Middle Atlantic states are expected to face meager growth conditions and possibility contraction in some markets.
"We see the real growth occurring in the South, West and Mountain regions," Sullivan said. "This is reflective of the relative strength in the regional economies as well as each state's exposure to declines in residential construction."
For more information, visit www.cement.org.