March was a month full of momentum, and we’re closing the first quarter with some big wins! A recent major milestone was the Block Promoters Conference, where we brought together producer teams to strengthen the way we advocate for concrete masonry. The energy and engagement from producers, suppliers, and partners proved just how powerful collective knowledge can be.
We also kicked off the start of our in-person RAC meetings last month, hearing from program submitters for our next round of funding in May. Our regional meetings are also a time to hear firsthand what’s working, what’s needed, and where to go from here on a national level (and how the Checkoff can help). Looking forward to seeing the outcomes of these meetings ahead of our May Board meeting.
Last month, our communications team sent out a survey for you all to participate in, and we thank those who shared their voices. This is YOUR Checkoff — built by producers for producers — and feedback helps shape the direction we take to ensure you're getting the most out of it.
We heard your feedback loud and clear, and we’re already making some changes based on the results! One of the first steps is refining how we communicate, with more tangible updates that focus on program updates and progress. We’ll also be including financial updates from Rich O’Connor, our Treasurer, to ensure you all are in the loop regarding how your Checkoff dollars are being spent. Transparency and accountability are at the core of what we do, and we’re committed to making sure you have a clear view of the impact we’re driving together.
This is just the beginning, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead. Thank you for being part of this journey.
The Checkoff, in partnership with CMHA, was proud to sponsor the first-ever Block Promoters Conference in St. Louis last month. With over 130 industry members from all five regions in attendance, the event was a clear sign of the growing momentum behind concrete masonry. This 1.5-day conference gave block producers and their teams the tools they need to succeed in today’s market.
Calling the conference a success would be an understatement. Attendees left with fresh insights, practical strategies to engage designers, new or stronger connections for their network, and a stronger sense of confidence in promoting concrete masonry. The theme, Building Blocks of Success: Promoting Concrete Masonry With Confidence, captured the event’s mission of arming industry professionals with the knowledge and strategies to influence key decision-makers.
This $100,000 investment from your Checkoff dollars delivered a strong ROI, bringing together 130 attendees from all five regions. The responses were overwhelmingly positive, as the conference brought a surge of energy to producers in attendance.
If there’s one thing the conference made clear, it’s that we’re all rowing in the same direction. Across every region, the challenges and opportunities may vary in detail, but the big picture remains the same: The more we stay aligned, share insights, and push forward together, the better positioned we are to turn obstacles into opportunities and momentum into real industry impact.
RAC SPOTLIGHT
One area that makes our Checkoff unique is the number of voices we are able to hear from across the nation, as different parts of the country have niche focuses compared to others. One way we ensure all voices across the Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) are heard is by holding in-person regional meetings to discuss and push programs forward for the full Board’s review.
The first to meet this round was Region 5, our friends to the west. The meeting was full of energy as committee members reviewed programs proposed for Board approval in May and were able to collaborate on issues hitting close to home in the face of recent natural disasters.
Following Region 5, both Regions 1 and 4 wrapped up productive meetings last week, bringing thoughtful discussion and strong momentum to the table. Regions 2 and 3 are on deck this month, keeping the review process moving as we head toward final program decisions at the May Board meeting.
We always look forward to the passionate engagement and collaboration among the RACs, and we hope you do too, as each RAC is reviewing programs for approval for the May Board meeting. If you’re interested in attending, please check the events page on the website for details on your region’s meeting.
MONTHLY FINANCIALS UPDATE
Based on your feedback from the CMC Investors survey, we are beginning to incorporate a financials update section in our monthly newsletter to ensure you are always in the know about how your Checkoff dollars are being used.
This month, we'd like to share an overview of the big picture for national and regional funding. Over $12 million has been allocated across 64 programs — each mapped to our six focus areas: marketing, codes & standards, design assistance, concrete masonry outreach, educating design pros, and university relations. Every single one of these programs, funded by your dollars, are designed to promote, protect, and grow the future of CMU.
Stay tuned for May's monthly newsletter, as Rich O'Connor, CMC's treasurer, will be sharing an in-depth financial update after the May Board meeting.
PROGRAMS: FROM INVESTMENT TO IMPACT
BUILDING NEXT-GEN KNOWLEDGE, BLOCK BY BLOCK
The University of Illinois at Chicago School of Architecture is shaping the next generation of architects through hands-on workshops — because learning isn’t just about material selection, it’s about getting their hands dirty (literally). Investing in education today means a stronger, more resilient design community tomorrow. Read More
TWO-FOR-ONE PUNCH: CMU & BRICK CAVITY WALLS IN PHILLY
CMU and brick cavity walls deliver durability, energy efficiency, fire resistance and moisture control, making them a go-to for AECs in Philadelphia. Chuck Rotondo, Northeast Technical Director, breaks down their growing appeal in the Philadelphia Business Journal. Read More
BUYING A HOME? THINK LONG-TERM!
Finishes fade, but structures last. Concrete block homes offer unmatched durability, saving you from costly repairs and upgrades down the road. Check out the latest residential project from Johnson Concrete Products to see a stunning example of CMU in action.
A new wave of housing innovations is focusing on resilient construction, and for good reason. Forbes highlights how building materials can make all the difference when disaster strikes, with specific mention of concrete foundations hindering fire spread compared to other materials. Read More
CLIMATE-RESILIENT SCHOOLS: A NECESSITY, NOT AN OPTION
EdSource highlights the urgent need for climate-resilient building materials in schools, with Los Angeles setting an example for the rest of California. While the article doesn’t mention concrete block directly, it reinforces the importance of durable, fire-resistant, and energy-efficient construction to protect students and communities from extreme weather. Read More
STAY IN THE LOOP
If you haven’t caught up yet, there’s so many great things happening at the Checkoff! With big announcements and upcoming events on the horizon, here are all the ways you can stay in-the-know and be part of the excitement.
The Beauty of Block is the first-ever national marketing campaign from the Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC), an industry-funded initiative to support education, research and promotion of concrete masonry units in the U.S. At its core, this campaign is about shining a light on the lesser-known benefits of concrete block. Most people associate block with brute strength, but that’s just the beginning — it’s safe, stunning and a model of efficiency.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK!
We're excited to share that Beauty of Block is expanding and now available on Facebook and Instagram! Be sure to follow us for real-world examples of CMU in the wild and design inspiration as we continue with our goal to reach AECs on other social platforms!
