Masonry Magazine February 1963 Page. 4
CONVENTION REPORT
Here's the report of the 13th Annual Convention & Educational Trade Show of the Mason Contractors Association of America, held January 26-30, at the Hilton Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pa.
James Lonie, President, cuts the ribbon that officially opens the 1963 MCAA Educational Trade Show. Pittsburgh Mayor, Joseph Barr, joins Co-Chairman Michael Coco and Gerard Ryan in the ceremony.
PITTSBURGH, PA. With the theme "In '6 Get Down to Brass Tacks and Sell Masonry" the annual MCAA Convention got off to a fast start on day afternoon and kept up this brisk pace through the five day meeting. Veteran MCAA members called the meetings the "hardest working and diligent" in the history of the organization, and commended the extremely high attendance at both the meetings and the educational trade show.
This years convention had many innovations. From a new starting date, Saturday, through the new "Time Saver" plates, delegates and guests were experiencing almost a complete change in convention format.
In a poll of the delegates, James Lonie, Dayton, was re-elected President of the association. Also re-elected were Vice President Lester Dietrich, St. Louis, Mo., and Frank Zoubek, Kenosha, Wis. as Treasurer. Newly elected officers are: Regional Vice Presidents Jack Cook, Fla., V. P.-East; Herman May, Houston, Texas, V. P.-Midwest; and R. L. Johnston, Tacoma, Wash., V. P.-West. Don Bidwell, Detroit, Michigan was elected Secretary.
Business sessions got underway on Saturday morning when the Executive Board met. All convention plans and pending business were transacted.
Convention activities got off to a fast start Saturday afternoon with the President's Reception in the Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel.
This was followed by the official opening of the Educational Trade Show when President James Lonie, assisted by Pittsburgh Mayor Joseph M. Barr in cutting the traditional ribbon which opened the 96 exhibits to delegates and guests.
Formal business sessions were gavelled to order Monday morning by President Lonie and the Marine Corp Color Guard presented the colors in an inspiring manner after the invocation by Very Reverend Augustus O. Re.