MCAA and CSI Partner with Construct America
Words: Michael SchmerbeckOver the past year, the MCAA Board has discussed the future of Masonry Showcase. We
have debated on how the Association can make the Showcase experience better for both
attendees and exhibitors, adding to the value received from their attendance. At the
direction of our members and Board, we entered into numerous discussions with
potential industry affiliates to seek partnerships that could assist in building the
success of the Masonry Showcase experience. In our search, the solution that made the
most sense was a partnership with the Construction Specifications Institute and their
concept of "Construct America".
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On April 10, 2003 at Construct America, held at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention
Center, the Officers of the Mason Contractors Association of America and the Officers
of the Construction Specification Institute signed a co-location agreement that will
bring the Masonry Showcase into Construct America alongside of the CSI. Beginning in
April 2005, Masonry Showcase's 25,000 square feet of exhibit space will add to the
150,000 square feet of exhibits already at Construct America. Masonry Showcase will
represent one of the largest partners and pavilions at Construct America. More than
9,000 architects, specifiers, contractors and owners will make up the majority of the
over 17,000 attendees expected in 2005.
The Construction Specifications Institute is an individual membership technical
society that serves as the premier integrating force for those that create and sustain
the non-residential built environment. The Construction Specifications Institute
primary meeting is at the CSI Show, one of the nation's largest annual gatherings of
representatives from all disciplines involved in creating and sustaining the built
environment that typically draws more than 9,000 attendees and features more than
1,000 exhibit booths representing 600 participating companies.
"Construct America is quickly shaping up to be one of the largest construction shows
in North America for people from all disciplines involved in creating and sustaining
the non-residential built environment," said CSI Executive Director Karl Borgstrom.
"This latest partnership with the Mason Contractors Association of America solidifies
Construct America in the masonry contractor sector -- as well as nonresidential
construction overall - as the one place, covering all phases of the facility life
cycle, to discover and share leading-edge applications and technology."
Michael Adelizzi, executive director of MCAA, said, "The benefits to our members and
exhibitors of co-locating The Masonry Showcase with other shows at Construct America
are clear and compelling. Masonry contractors will come away from Chicago in 2005
better equipped than ever for success. We look forward to being key part of this
premier event."
Attendees of any one show at Construct America get free admittance to all other
co-located shows' exhibits. The ability to "cross over" is intended to boost
attendance for each individual show. By co-locating their shows, participating
organizations provide their members, customers, and other construction industry
professionals access to more product information, continuing education offerings, and
networking opportunities at one time under one roof.