Masonry Magazine February 1973 Page. 15
MCAA President "Mickey" Soloff assisted by his wife, Billie (center) cuts the ribbon officially opening the '73 MCAA Educational Trade Show. Lending Mickey a hand are his fellow officers and their wives.
'73 Convention Report
The concerted drive of the Industry toward a new goal of professionalism, with the mason contractor serving as the dynamic force behind this important move, was the principal theme explored in depth at MCAA's 23rd Annual Convention and Educational Trade Show in Atlanta, Ga., February 23-28.
Some 1,500 delegates and their wives registered for the six-day event in the Marriott Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Including other representatives from allied industries who toured the Trade Show, the total attendance figure for the convention exceeded 2,300, ranking it as the best-attended affair in MCAA's history.
A welcome highlight of the convention was the warm friendliness and hospitality extended to all delegates by members of the Atlanta Mason Contractors Association and their wives. The true spirit of genuine "Southern Hospitality" was never more evident.
The sessions officially began on Saturday morning, February 24, with the MCAA Executive Board meeting at which, under a new procedural setup, officers submitted written reports with the aim of improving communications to the local chapters. The Treasurer's report and the reports of the Insurance Committee, the Bricklayers & Trowel Trades Pension Trust, and the International Masonry Institute (IMI) were a few of the highlights of the meeting.
At 4 p.m. that afternoon, the President's Reception was held in the Grand Ballroom. Sharply at 5 p.m., with a Dixieland band leading the guests to the exhibition hall in the Marriott, MCAA President David B. "Mickey" Soloff, Jr. was joined by his fellow officers in cutting the ceremonial ribbon officially opening the Trade Show. Some 90 equipment manufacturers combined for a total of 123 technical exhibits.
On Sunday afternoon, Part I of the MCAA Management Institute opened, with President Soloff officiating. Featured speaker was Dr. D. Quinn Mills, Secretary of the Construction Industry Stabilization Committee (CISC), Washington, D.C. He was followed by a discussion on masonry panels ("A Threat or a Challenge?") by Mark Parseghian of Clarence B. Haney, Inc., Nazareth, Pa.; and John T. Joyce, Secretary of the Bricklayers, Masons & Plasterers International Union (BM & PIU), and Frederic A. West, of Chloethial Woodard Smith & Associated Architects, both of Washington, D.C.
Dr. Mills, who dwelled on "Phase III and You," outlined the history and function of the CISC, the Cost of Living Council, and the long-range future of collective bargaining. Government wage controls could be eliminated at any time, he said, and it is hoped that the construction industry could regulate itself without government intervention. While the current restrictions on wage hikes have been in effect for nearly two years, Dr. Mills was of the opinion that they would not be in existence indefinitely.