TMC Convention Day 1 Recap
The 2023 TMC Annual Convention is off to an exciting start! Yesterday was day one and it was a packed schedule, all set against the picturesque backdrop of the Horseshoe Bay Resort in Marble Falls, Texas. As if that weren't impressive enough, the Convention Committee has outdone themselves this year, setting records with what we believe might be the best-attended convention on record.
Committee and Board of Directors Meetings: Charting the Course for Masonry Excellence
Workforce Development Committee Meeting
The convention kicked off with a productive meeting of the Workforce Development Committee, as we discussed the critical issue of masonry workforce development, addressing the challenges and opportunities in attracting and retaining skilled workers. Our Masonry ROCKS program served over 1,000 students in the last school year- this doesn’t mean that we did just classroom presentations either- this was actually hands-on training with trowels in-hand, mixing mortar, and laying brick. What an amazing job our Workforce Development Committee, lead by the amazing TMC Staff- specifically Ashton White, AKA “That Mason Girl”!
IDEA Committee Meeting
The IDEA Committee session was equally energizing. This is a relatively new but incredibly important committee and they are working hard to increase our masonry wall-share through engagement and education with the architectural and engineering community. We’ve got some incredible things coming forward- so stay tuned to hear more about an upcoming CEU opportunity that UMCA is doing to engage architects. We aim to help them to learn more about how they can sustainably, efficiently, and beautifully build with masonry during our UMCA General Membership Meeting on November 14th in DFW (location TBD). TMC is also working on a mid-year meeting in College Station, in conjunction with the Texas A&M Architecture Department (some of you fellow Aggies just yelled “Whoop”) in March 2024. We are so excited to see where this amazing committee goes!
Board of Directors Meeting
One of the highlights of the day was the Board of Directors meeting, where the TMC Staff talked about TMC’s financials, growing membership and it’s future direction. A committee that has been long-time dormant but will soon be brought back to life is the Government Affairs/Political Action Committee and we look forward to hearing more about where that committee will go in the future. We thank the Board of Directors and the TMC Staff for their dedication, vision, and their unwavering commitment to the masonry industry's growth and prosperity.
Evening Reception: Celebrating Excellence in Masonry
The convention's first day concluded with a remarkably hot but fun opening reception, held at the Yacht Club. Here, we had the privilege of honoring outstanding individuals whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of masonry:
**Trey Harris of SpecMix:** Trey was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for his tireless efforts in giving back to the masonry community. His dedication to volunteer work over the years has positively impacted countless lives in the industry. I don’t think I can count how many kids he’s touched - either through his yearly Bricks, Blocks and Bags for Bikes fundraiser at the Bricklayer500 in Dallas every year where 100s of kids have been able to receive bikes for Christmas or through the 1,000s of bags of training mortar he’s made sure that masonry instructors always have.
**Mel Smith of Smith Custom Masonry:** Mel, who serves as the Vice President of the UMCA and Workforce Development Chair of UMCA, was named Contractor of the Year and celebrated for his exceptional leadership and commitment to the cause of workforce development. His active participation in the TMC Workforce Development Committee has been instrumental in shaping the industry's future workforce. He is a role model and mentor to so many, whether it is personally with the youth of his church or profession, hiring students for the summer to get an opportunity to work in masonry.
**Robin of San Antonio Masonry and Steel:** Robin's consistent support, not only for the masonry industry but also for his work family, was acknowledged and appreciated by his amazing San Antonio Masonry and Steel team. His unwavering dedication and contributions have made him a cherished figure within the masonry community in San Antonio and beyone. I have not EVER heard of anyone be told “no” by Robin when he is asked to donate to an association event or charity.
The first day of the Texas Masonry Council Annual Convention 2023 was a testament to the masonry industry's strength and unity here in the great state of Texas. As we look forward to the rest of the convention, we anticipate more exciting discussions, collaborations, and opportunities that will continue to shape the future of masonry in Texas and beyond. Stay tuned for more updates from this incredible convention, including today’s Golf Tournament, Live and Silent Auctions, and Casino Night!