Hanley Wood last week signed a letter of intent with the Mason Contractors Association of America to purchase the Masonry Showcase, the MCAA's annual tradeshow held as part of its convention.

The move will benefit the masonry industry by combining the two companies' resources and making Hanley Wood's World of Masonry the masonry industry's premier event.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to work with the leading masonry association,” said Tom Cindric, director of World of Masonry. “The masonry industry has been asking for one event, and this combined event would make that request a reality.”

The proposed transaction provides that the MCAA will hold its annual convention concurrently with the World of Masonry, which will next be held Jan. 22-25, 2008 in Las Vegas. The World of Masonry is held each year within the World of Concrete, the commercial construction industry's largest annual international event.

MCAA will also participate in the World of Masonry by holding the Fastest Trowel Competition and Skills Challenge, and serving as an educational partner with the World of Masonry seminar program, where it will conduct specific educational activities like the Masonry Foreman Development Course and Masonry Quality Institute seminar.

MCAA was incorporated in 1950 to help educate, train, and represent the mason contractor through its various programs. MCAA promotes the use of masonry, recruits and assists in training of the industry's workforce, impacts federal legislative and standard issues affecting contractors and provides educational programs for the key employees of member firms.