MAF Convention Chairman

2010 MAF Convention Press Release

2010-11-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

Contact: Jay Snyder, Chairman
398 Camino Gardens Blvd.
Suite 108
Boca Raton, FL 33334

Masonry Association of Florida, Inc.

Press Release

Masonry Association of Florida Annual Convention: Contractor Excellence Awards, Fastest Trowel & Apprentice Competitions

The MAF recognizes outstanding contributions to the masonry industry with the MAF 2010 Annual Convention

St. Pete. Beach, Florida | September 16 – 19, 2010: The Masonry Association of Florida held its yearly convention at the Sirata Beach Resort and Convention Center in St. Pete Beach on September 17, 18 & 19, 2010. The annual event was hosted by the MCAF Tampa Bay Chapter. State Chairman of the event was Jay Snyder (Masonpro@fdn.com) with support from the local MCAF group chaired by Dave Luebs of Advanced Masonry Systems, Inc.

The 2010 MAF convention was a working event within a resort atmosphere. The event
started Thursday, September 16 with the Block & Brick Open where members got into the ‘swing’ of things with a round of golf. The beachside sunset Tiki Greet cocktail party reunited industry acquaintances and was a great start to a weekend of work, sun and fun.

Friday, September 17th at 7:30 AM informational committee meetings related to Apprenticeship, Membership, Awards, Codes & Safety, ProMasonry and Enforcement began and were well attended. After midday lunch, Pat McLaughlin, Executive Director provided the industry with an updated Market Research presentation. Finalizing Friday afternoon’s agenda was the State MAF Board of Directors meeting with officer elections.

The Welcome Reception on Friday evening was attended by 100 + local, state and national industry representatives. The highlight of the evening was an overview of the masonry projects submitted for 2010 Contractor Excellence awards. The Silent Auction benefitting the Masonry Education Foundation (MEF) provided a worthwhile diversion for those enjoying the panoramic sunset view of the Gulf of Mexico.

Saturday, September 18th the Fastest Trowel Competition, a highly anticipated event at the convention was held in conjunction with the Apprentice Competition. Competitors were acknowledged by a crowd of over 180+ at the Contestant Luncheon where the apprentices were presented with prizes and medals; and the Fastest Trowel winners presented trophies and cash prizes.

As part of the presentation, visiting dignitaries from the Department of Corrections, the Masonry Contractors Association of America and the National Masonry Concrete Association were acknowledged. The 1st Florida SpecMix Bricklayer 500 Regional contest which will be held November 5th in Lakeland was introduced and all competitors were encouraged to enter. For more information visit www.specmixbricklayer500.com .

15 Apprentices, the ‘future’ of masonry, from across the state worked hard to earn the right to showcase their skills at the 2010 convention. The winners of the contests will go to Chattanooga on October 23 to represent Florida in the BIA/SE Manpower Forum Regional Masonry Contest. The winning mason apprentices were:

1st Year:

1. Aaron Meador – Tampa Chapter – Overberg Masonry

2. Romeo Sarmiento – Tampa Chapter – Overberg Masonry

3. Julian Gomez – Central Chapter ( Orlando) - Marcobay

2nd Year:

1. Charlie Darroux – Central Chapter ( Orlando ) – Castle Construction

2. Ryan Doyle – Treasure Coast (Port St Lucie) – Doyle Masonry

3. Richard Steele – Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) – Doyle Masonry

3rd Year:

1. Lerve Meltide - Central Chapter ( Orlando ) – Pompano/Sewell

2. Aaron Gijon – SW Chapter ( Naples ) – TCR

3. Bobby Brown – Tampa Chapter – Red Brookshire Masonry

This year, an additional apprentice award was given for the very first time in the Architectural Award Category. Judging was based on project aesthetics and judged by architect Michael McCullough of Michael McCullough Design Build and awarded to Ryan Doyle of Doyle Masonry.

Fastest Trowel winners:

1st place -- Ray Robinson of J.A.M. Construction

2nd place -- Pascal Robertson of Robertson Masonry

3rd place -- Jeff Leach Southwest Chapter MAF

Saturday evening’s awards festivities recognizing Masonry’s finest projects, individuals and architects designing in masonry; were enhanced by Lucas Production’s MC entertainment and DJ tunes. Berard Creative Concepts of Pensacola, Florida received the project of the year award for Gulf Breeze Methodist Church-Courtyard. The coveted ‘blue jacket’ awards were announced with solemn respect and standing ovations for those given this honor. Lifetime achievement Jim Gulde of MIT; Mason of the Year - Shawn McGee of Oceanside Masonry and Associate of the Year - Dave Pfeffer of Tarmac/Titan America. All banquet attendees were given Florida Masonry’s inaugural awards publication or “Bragbook”’ featuring 2010 Contractor Excellence Awards Program and Industry Recognition Award winners. The Banquet ended with an encouraging ‘working together’ finale by new Masonry Association of Florida State Board Chairman, Jay Snyder of MasonPro.

The fun-filled weekend’s fitting finale was an outdoor farewell breakfast buffet in the hotel breezeway providing a beachside view of the sunrise to an event that was lauded a ‘success’ even in the most dire of economic times.

This year’s event would not have been possible without the following convention sponsors: A-1 Block, Amerimix, American Cement Company, The Brick Industry, CastCrete, Cemex, Central Broward Construction, David Nelson Masonry, Florida Silica Sand Co., Masonpro, NCMA, Oceanside Masonry, Old Castle Coastal, Powers Steel, Inc. Pyramid Masonry, Power Concrete Products, Quikrete, Tarmac, Vulcan Materials.

The Masonry Association of Florida is already making plans for the 2011 Convention to be held August 4-7, 2010 at the Marriott Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL. Add your comments and suggestions for next year’s convention to the 39 already received at www.mafconvention.com.

The Masonry Association of Florida, Inc. (MAF) is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1987. Our mission is to promote masonry construction and support the mason contractors in Florida. For more information, please visit our website www.floridamasonry.com for more information.

1-26-2010 Convention Meeting Notes

2010-01-26T12:48:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Dave Luebs - Competition Chairman

Thanks to all for taking time to be part of the discussion this morning. Notable issues:

1. Tampa will take the lead in getting donated materials, equipment, and labor.
2. A list of sponsors will be compiled by Dave L for distribution to Conven Comm for comments. 3. It was agreed that there will be 1 sponsor per item/block/mortar/etc)
4. Dave L will also compile a list of materials needed and will distribute for comments and additions.
5. Judges will be handled by Tampa and coordinated through Al Herndon for Apprentice Competition and Don Beers for the Fastest Trowel
6. The "Playbooks" need finalization details added.
7. Both 'playbooks' will be posted on the blog for reference and comments prior to final distribution and use by the 2010 convention committees.
8. A decision on financial rewards for the "Host" chapter has yet to be determined. The MAF Board to discuss further.
9. Dave L to talk with Al Herndon regarding change in the Apprentice Comp material donations process. Material donations will be handled by the local chapter for both competitions. Al mentioned he has a great contact for the Tyvek donation. Al has contacted Dennis Neal and Chris Sutherland who areon board for the Apprentice Competition.
10.Al Petrie and Bob DiPietro will be key players for Tampa on the Fastest Trowel Comp.
11. Women's, Children's, and Legends comps will be held concurrently with the FT and Appren. Space and materials will need to be coordinated. Dave L will work with Keith Sommers, Ed Howley, and Jeff Turley to accomodate these 3 events.
Posted by MAF Chairman at 12:35 PM

January 26, 2009 9:30 AM Teleconference

2010-01-18T13:41:00.000-08:00

Convention Competition Planning teleconference
Teleconference host: Jay Snyder

RSVP to Dave Luebs dluebs5555@yahoo.com

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/join/372761090
Dial 215-383-1001
Access Code: 372-761-090
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting
Meeting ID: 372-761-090
GoToMeeting® Online Meetings Made Easy™

Invited attendees:
deb@floridamasonry.com, masonpro@fdn.com, sandy@floridamasonry.com,
mailto:DevonBrookshire@msn.com joyce@floridamasonry.com, pat@floridamasonry.com, don@floridamasonry.com, al@masonryeducation.org, mj@masonryeducation.org, krsommer@pyramidmasonry.net, EHowley@aol.com, turleyj@VMCMAIL.com brckman1970@yahoo.com, maryjane.mueller@ocps.net

AGENDA

1/26/10 9:30 AM

Purpose: Define roles, discuss sponsorships, coordination with similar events, avoid headaches.

1. Define the roles of key Association players in soliciting for and awarding sponsorships directly related to labor and materials for both the Apprenticeship and Fastest competitions.
a. Key examples: block and mortar
b. Contestant water / refreshments
c. Acknowledgement of sponsors

2. Discuss the possibility of out-of-pocket expenses to produce the competitions.
Example: What if we can’t find a donor for the Tyvec floor protection?

3. Discuss the possibility of The Tampa Chapter being financially rewarded for our efforts.

4. Discuss the role of Al Herndon in the Apprentice competition.

5. Discuss the role of Don Beers in the Fastest Trowel competition.

6. Status of “Playbooks”

7. Contact name / number at Sirata for site visit and event day coordination below and on right of blog

jweisberg@sirata.com Jo A. Weisberg Group Sales Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center5300 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, Fl 33706 http://www.sirata.com/ tel: 727-363-5105 fax: 727-363-5161

GPesic@sirata.com Gail Pesic-Lead Concierge Tel: 727-363-5134 Fax: 727-363-5195

8. Where on site will the competitions be held?

Parking lot on the left side of property when entering the property

9. Discuss thoughts on the interface of the big 2 competitions, with the more casual Women’s, Children’s, and Legend’s.

a. Timing
b. Sponsors
c. Materials

Open Discussion