I hope you all had a chance to reflect and recharge after an action-packed 2024. For me, bonus time with family helps put everything else into perspective. I feel truly blessed to work for an organization and industry capable of changing peoples’ lives for the better. Every dollar that communities invest in resilient construction saves them $13 in future damages, cleanup and economic losses.
In November, a robust $5.7 million in funding was approved across 27 programs, with four of these programs being renewals — the Board was eager to reinvest after seeing strong progress in Year 1.
Plus, one of our program events is just around the corner! The Block Promoters Workshop, a first-ever 1.5-day educational conference, is less than two months away. This is a can’t-miss opportunity that is FREE to attend for all block producers and their teams.
2024 was a big year for our marketing program with launching the first external campaign for the Checkoff - The Beauty of Block. This year we’re amplifying our marketing efforts even more to shift perceptions of CMU across the construction industry. We'll be doing this through a variety of tactics, including:
Targeted paid media campaigns to drive audience engagement
Buzz-building through media relations, events and hard-hitting content
Strengthening partnerships across the industry to build unity
National Block Design Collective
Architects and engineers will soon have complimentary access to concrete masonry design services, including localized expertise. We’re in the process of hiring five Regional Directors, implementing regional promotion and education plans, and launching a BDC webinar series.
We’re excited to introduce two of the five Regional Technical Directors: Tino Kalayil in Region 3 and Chuck Rotondo in Region 1. These industry experts bring a wealth of experience and passion to their roles. Stay tuned for the official hiring announcement coming soon, along with more details on how Tino and Chuck will contribute to the growth and success of the concrete masonry industry!
Design Director Riley Dvorak states, “This is an exciting opportunity to get designers feeling more comfortable using concrete block. If we can get people to be a little more analytical in their decision process, that can greatly benefit our industry and infrastructure at large.”
National Codes & Standards Program
The renewed Codes & Standards Program is pushing forward with broader involvement and deeper engagement in 2025 through:
Full implementation of a new Codes Monitoring & Tracking Tool (FiscalNote), which is an effort being spearheaded by Ben Nantasai, CMHA’s new Codes Director.
Continued efforts to support and advance codes education.
More exciting updates and advancements coming soon!
National Youth Promotion and Outreach Program
This program continues to build momentum, with exciting goals ahead. In 2025, the focus includes:
Developing and implementing a National Youth Education Standard.
Establishing the first Region 2 Education Center as a model for future growth.
Continuing the five-year plan to expand into new regions annually, ensuring long-term success and sustainability.
Block Learning Hub
The launch of our learning hub in early 2025 will provide free, on-demand content to educate and empower the architectural, engineering and contractor (AEC) communities with easy access to trusted resources on concrete masonry systems.
Education will be delivered through live webinars, on-demand learning and self-paced courses to earn continuing education credits. A few of our cornerstone content pieces for launch will include:
The 5 S’s of Concrete Masonry
Top 10 Applications for Structural CMU
Back to Basics – Efficient Design to Lower Costs and Carbon
These programs are just the tip of the trowel as we lay the foundation for an incredible 2025. With big ideas in motion and momentum on our side, this year is all about making bold moves.
Keep thinking BIG!
BLOCK PROMOTERS CONFERENCE
The Checkoff is proud to sponsor the first-ever Block Promoters Conference, in partnership with CMHA, that is FREE for all block producers to attend. This will be a 1.5-day educational conference for block producers and their teams, focusing on equipping industry personnel with the tools they need to be successful.
A large focus of this conference is to educate attendees on how to leverage and integrate the Block Design Collective resources and support functions into their daily activities and bring direct, measurable value to their local designers. The summit structure allows for networking opportunities for attendees to grow their professional networks.
There’s still time left to submit your RFPs for the 2025 Resilience Summit! We’re looking for two key roles to help make this event a success:
Meeting Facilitator – Drive planning, workshops and speaker coordination to achieve Summit goals.
Resilience Expert – Share insights on resilience initiatives and collaborate to shape the event’s agenda.
This national event will bring together more than 100 leaders to create a roadmap for resilient, cost-effective structures that can withstand and recover from natural disasters.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this critical event — submit your proposal by January 15.
TOP FIVE DIGITAL TRENDS SHAPING THE AEC INDUSTRY IN 2025
GHD highlights transformative technologies redefining the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector. From AI-driven design to advanced building materials like concrete block, these innovations are set to enhance sustainability, efficiency and resilience in modern construction. Read More
CONCRETE MASONRY CHECKOFF APPROVES FIRST PROGRAMS OF 2025 AND INTRODUCES NEW SLATE OF OFFICERS
The Concrete Masonry Checkoff Board has conditionally approved $5.7 million in funding across 27 programs for 2025 and beyond. Upon final Department of Commerce (DOC) review, more than $3 million will be allocated across six national programs, which include education on building codes, expanded marketing efforts and the soon-to-launch Block Learning Hub. Read More
FROM BRICKS TO KICKS: JAKE BATES’ UNLIKELY JOURNEY INSPIRES FANS AND MASONS ALIKE
Just a year and a half ago, Detroit Lions’ standout rookie kicker Jake Bates was making his living selling bricks — a story that has struck a chord with fans and masonry professionals alike. At Fendt Builders' Supply in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Jim Gendron and his team see Bates' journey as a powerful reminder: Whether on the field or the jobsite, greatness often rises from humble, hardworking roots. Read More
MARK CUBAN: THIS WILL ‘BE THE NO. 1 HOUSING AFFORDABILITY ISSUE’ IN THE U.S.
Mark Cuban warns that rising home insurance costs in disaster-prone areas, such as Florida, are poised to overtake interest rates as the biggest challenge to housing affordability. With insurers placing greater emphasis on building materials, resilient options like concrete masonry stand out for their ability to lower premiums by providing superior protection against extreme weather. Read More
Fly the Beauty of Block Flag in 2025
Start 2025 off right by putting Beauty of Block on display! Adding the logo to your email signature, website, and communications is a simple way to show unity with our industry for the coming years.
Head over to our Brand Standards Site to download the logo and get started.
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