Gathering of Masonry Minds

Words: Dan Kamys
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The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino
As we usher in the fall season, it's time to think about football, hayrides ... and Vegas? The 2009 MCAA Convention is only a few months away, so now is the time to learn what will be offered and how you can best take advantage of the many valuable programs, events and activities that will be available.

The convention will be held at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, Feb. 2-6, 2009, and is designed specifically for the mason contractor and allied organizations.

You'll have the chance to meet fellow mason contractors, suppliers and allied industry representatives from across the United States who share the same goals, frustrations and experiences that you face in running your own business.

Register for the MCAA Convention and book your hotel room at The Venetian today!

Here's some of what you can expect at the 2009 MCAA Convention:

Opening Session

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
LVCC, South Hall, Level 2, Room S231

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Alan Thicke
MCAA President Tom Daniel will officially welcome attendees to the annual convention and introduce special guest and keynote speaker, Alan Thicke.

American audiences will most likely remember Alan Thicke best for portraying psychiatrist and father Jason Seaver on ABC's Growing Pains, which is now syndicated in over 65 countries. In addition to a long list of acting and producing credentials, he is a prolific composer, having written more than 45 television theme songs. As a headliner and speaker, Thicke's distinctive charm and humor have established him as one of America's all-purpose entertainers. He has played the main Las Vegas showrooms of the Hilton, Desert Inn and Sands, as well as Atlantic City's Resorts International, numerous cruise ships, and corporate events for many of the world's biggest companies and associations.

Thicke is proud to have been named "Father of the Year" by organizations including The Father's Day Council of Los Angeles, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, and The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Two of the most important elements of his life have been his sons, Brennan and Robin, who is a platinum-selling recording artist.

MAC PAC Reception

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 5 - 6 p.m.
Venetian Hotel

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MAC PAC Reception
The main purpose of the MAC PAC (Mason Contractors Political Action Committee) is to help elect federal candidates to office – candidates who are pro-construction and who will give MCAA a fair hearing on industry views.

Federal laws and regulations have a direct impact on you and your business. Because it is illegal for corporations or state chapter PACs to directly contribute to federal candidates or to political parties, MAC PAC allows you the opportunity to have a national impact on federal elections. Contributions raised at this event go exclusively to the MAC PAC.

Funds will be used to support pro-masonry candidates in the next election cycle.

Expert's Pairing Advice

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 1 - 3 p.m.
Venetian Hotel

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Expert's Pairing Advice
Experience the culinary artistry of Joachim Splichal's Pinot Brasserie at The Venetian.

Pinot Brasserie offers the warm, bustling ambiance of an urban Parisian brasserie. Joachim Splichal a James Beard award-winning chef, traveled to France to find accessories and antiques that provide the perfect backdrop for his signature California-French cuisine paired with an award-winning wine list.

The sommelier will guide you through your wine pairing with the flavors of the wine to compliment your menu.

Contractor Appreciation Party

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7 - 10 p.m.
Venetian Hotel

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Contractor Appreciation Party
The MCAA would like to invite all mason contractors to join together for our second annual Mason Contractor Appreciation Party!

All mason contractors attending the World of Concrete are invited to join us for a night of food, drinks, and fun at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. You'll have an opportunity to win one of several door prizes that will be given away thoughout the night including casino chips, cash, education seminar vouchers, industry equipment and more!

Last year's event was a huge success and this year's party promises to be even bigger and better. Don't miss out on your chance to "hit the jackpot" while networking with the industry! All mason contractors are invited to attend.

Closing Reception

Thursday, Feb. 5, 5:30 - 11 p.m.
Palazzo Hotel

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Closing Reception
Before attendees say goodbye to Las Vegas, they can enjoy dinner followed by an evening with the Jersey Boys.

Jersey Boys, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 2006, takes you up the charts, across the country and behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

Warning: Jersey Boys contains strong authentic Jersey language and is not appropriate for all ages.

International Masonry Skills Challenge

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Gold Lot, front of North Hall

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International Masonry Skills Challenge
The International Masonry Skills Challenge is a competition of masonry apprentices in first-, second- and third-year skill levels. The contest is a showcase for skills training in the masonry industry, challenging winning apprentices from regional United States and foreign competitions to determine the top masonry apprentice at each level.

Contestants are divided by experience levels: first-year are just entering the trade, through third-year, who are just about to enter the workforce as journeymen. Participants in each level are given a surprise project to build appropriate to their know-how. Contestants must build their projects without ever having seen the drawings. They haven't been able to practice, and they are not allowed to consult their instructors, employers or anyone else during the competition. They have three hours to complete their projects with the given materials. Awards are presented to the top three apprentices in each skill level.

Fastest Trowel on the Block

Thursday, Feb. 5, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, Gold Lot, front of North Hall

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Fastest Trowel on the Block
The Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition, hosted by the MCAA, is a showcase of industry craftsmanship and a testament of both the speed and skill of our industry's workforce. Only those journeymen masons who have the skill, confidence and courage to face off with the industry's best are invited to compete.

The competition will pit 16 journeyman masons, accompanied by their two favorite tenders, against one another in a show of both speed and craftsmanship. Each contestant's goal is to complete as much of an 18-block-long wall as possible, using 8-inch X 8-inch X 16-inch CMU and the provided mortar in a 20-minute heat. Contestants must have a high degree of workmanship using normal masonry practices and hand tools. The contest promotes quality training and pride in workmanship among journeymen and contractors, as well as promotes the craftsmanship, speed and versatility of masonry systems and the masonry workforce.

Masonry Foreman Development

Monday, Feb. 2; Tuesday, Feb. 3, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, Level 2, Room S233

Masonry field supervisors need to manage both people and resources in order to have a successful and profitable project. The Masonry Foreman Development Course has been designed to provide your key employees with the skills necessary to become an effective job foreman and profit center for your company. This two-day course will teach the key areas of responsibility for foremen, such as communication, leadership, problem solving, accident prevention, cost awareness, planning and production control.

Discipline: Ethics & Business Practices
Credits: 20

Masonry Quality Institute

Monday, Feb. 2; Tuesday, Feb. 3, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, Level 2, Room S230

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Masonry Quality Institute
The Masonry Quality Institute will provide you the ability to measure your company's level of quality. This two-day course will assist masons in evaluating their services, meeting stringent customer expectations, and improving their profitability. The course includes an introduction to the quality process, detailed implementations of the basic principles of quality, discussions on the quality process and strategies for team building and problem solving. If you are serious about building a successful, profitable mason contracting business, you should attend this valuable program.

Discipline: Masonry Quality Institute
Credits: 16

Understanding Codes & Standards


Wednesday, Feb. 4, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, Level 2, Room S232

The Understanding Masonry Codes & Standards seminar will explain the major changes that have been made to the 2005 Masonry Specification, along with some important changes in the 2006 IBC, why they were made, and what the changes may mean to you as a contractor. You will work through real-life examples that are encountered daily. The course will cover basic masonry design and construction examples that contractors need to know, using both the Code and the Specification. By the end of this seminar, you will be able to put the new Masonry Code into practice.

Discipline: Codes & Standards
Credits: 6

Basic Masonry Estimating

Thursday, Feb. 5, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall,Level 2, Room S230

Learn the basics of masonry estimating, or refresh your memory with the Basic Masonry Estimating seminar. The course will teach the key concepts such as estimate types, estimating mathematics, bid forms, computer solutions, and more. This session includes a step-by-step approach to the estimating procedure including direct and indirect costs, materials, labor, equipment, project and office overhead and profit. Enroll your employees today and watch your profits grow.

Discipline: Bidding Practices
Credits: 8

Register NOW for the MCAA Convention!
About: FeaturedConvention
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