Report of the MCAA Convention Committee
Words: Frank CampitelliThe 2005 Masonry Showcase in Chicago, the first with CSI, was a success. Floor traffic was good and the competitions were very popular. There was positive feedback and much interest from the CSI attendees in our exhibits and our competitions. The 2006 show will be our last with CSI due to their date change to June.
The Showcase for 2006 is booked at the Venetian hotel and the Las Vegas Convention Center March 29-31. We will be with CSI, but TFM is no longer a part of Construct America.
Exhibit sales for 2006 are at 11,900' (74%) with 45 exhibitors. Of that, 500 feet is verbal. Last year at this time we were at 12,000' with 60 exhibitors. Total number of exhibits last year was 84. Sales efforts have slowed down due to Joni picking up Colin's meeting planning responsibilities. The response from the 34 first time exhibitors from 2005 has been very low. Only 5 of the 34 new exhibitors have returned thus far. Also, in 2005 we had 50 companies who had been with us before; thus far, we have 39. This is disappointing because we offered a price incentive to returning companies. Las Vegas is a favorite of attendees and exhibitors, so when time can once again be devoted to the sales effort, we expect to see it pick up.
An agreement had been reached with BSI for revenue sharing of space sold by BSI to their members for our show. Prospectus were mailed from BSI to their members, but no space has been sold.
In 2006 we will offer 12 educational sessions (down from 16 in 2005) and two seminars-Estimating and Foreman Development. We will also offer our 3 competitions: Masonry: It Makes a Village, Fastest Trowel and the Skills Challenge. 2005 was the first year for the Village contest and it was wildly popular. Fastest Trowel by Quikrete is the only competition sponsored thus far.
The 2007 Masonry Showcase has been booked for Orlando. Recent changes in the makeup of MCPX may bode well for the unification of industry shows. Mike can comment further on those developments.
Attendee brochures are hitting the streets with the October Masonry magazine. The Skills Competition and Excellence entries are being mailed this month also.