Oct. 3 proclaimed Statewide Masonry Day in Florida

A great day for masonry in Florida

By Patrick J. McLaughlin

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, was a great day for masonry in Florida. The Florida masonry industry was recognized by proclamation by Governor Rick Scott for its contribution to Florida's economy and masonry’s attributes to the Florida building industry.

“This proclamation is a tribute to the hardworking men and women in the masonry industry who build Florida. Masonry is a Florida product and I am proud to be a mason contractor and chairman of the Masonry Association of Florida,” said Danielle Larson, GBL Group, Inc., Naples, Fla.

In his proclamation, Governor Scott recognizes that concrete masonry is a 100 percent Florida product, mined, manufactured and installed by Floridians. Sixty percent of all homes and 35 percent of all commercial buildings in Florida are built with concrete block and that concrete block construction builds the safest, most cost-efficient and long-lasting structures to withstand Florida’s frequently harsh and storm-prone environment. To read the complete text of this important proclamation, visit our website: www.floridamasonry.com/2013masonryday.pdf

To celebrate this proclamation, several masonry industry events were planned across the state:

Masonry Association of Florida educational event “Addressing the Needs of the Florida Masonry Industry and Planting the Seeds for a Secure Future” was held, and the Masonry Association of Florida (MAF) is also held an educational event at the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500.

Highlights of the event will included: Addressing the Florida Masonry Labor Shortage, Masonry Apprentice Training, Contractor Continuing Education, Masonry Market Information and the Certified Mason Contractor Program.

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) held their Midyear Meeting in Orlando, bringing mason contractors and suppliers from across the country to Florida. MCAA members were in attendance at the BRICKLAYER 500. The executives at the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) were also on hand to lend their support to both of these important industry events.