Hard to believe we are already halfway through the year! I know I say this every year, but time really does fly when you’re having fun. One thing that continues to stand out each year is the increase in the level of engagement we’re seeing across our programs.
Whether it’s participation in Block Learning Hub webinars, growing use of our marketing resources or the conversations happening through our industry partnerships, producers and stakeholders continue to play an important role in helping us expand the reach of concrete masonry.
I'm especially looking forward to our upcoming National Town Hall on July 14. It’s an opportunity to share updates on the progress being made across our programs, discuss what’s ahead and hear directly from the people helping move this industry forward.
Thank you for your continued partnership, leadership and engagement. Everything we accomplish is made possible through the collective investment and commitment of this industry.
IN THIS EDITION:
Feature Focus: National Town Hall
Announcements: New Producer Learning Hub Dashboard, June Webinar Recap, July Webinar Announcement
Block the Date:National Town Hall, Regional Town Halls, Concrete Masonry Outreach Webinar
FEATURE FOCUS
SAVE THE DATE — NATIONAL TOWN HALL
Mark your calendar for the Concrete Masonry Checkoff National Town Hall on July 14 at 11:00 a.m. CT.
This virtual event will provide updates on Checkoff-funded programs, campaign performance and industry initiatives helping drive concrete masonry demand nationwide.
Kim Spahn, CEO, andAlicia Hodges, Programs Director, of the Concrete Masonry Checkoff, will share recent progress, key milestones and priorities for the remainder of the year, giving you an inside look at how Checkoff dollars are putting concrete masonry on the map.
Melissa Kline, CMC Board Member, will deliver a financial update on how the Checkoff is investing in programs that drive demand.
Tino Kalayil, Senior Technical Director of the Block Design Collective, will provide an overall update on the Block Design Collective's work this year.
Irene Li, West Region Technical Director of the Block Design Collective, will share the latest on Block Learning Hub course development and education-focused efforts.
Danielle Mokris, Southeast Region Technical Director of the Block Design Collective, will share recent successes and progress from the Block Learning Hub Train-the-Trainer program.
Ben Nantasai, Director of Masonry Codes & Standards at CMHA, will share a codes update, covering the latest developments shaping the future of concrete masonry construction.
Kevin Walsh, University Relations Coordinator, will share an update on efforts to build the next generation of concrete masonry advocates.
Kiersten Schroeder from CLUTCH will provide a marketing update packed with insights and details.
There's so much to share, and we can't wait to connect with you live! Come with questions, as we'd love to hear from you. You'll also be entered to win one of 25 Beauty of Block tumblers, with one grand prize winner receiving an item of their choosing from the merch store, based on available quantities.
The National Town Hall is also an opportunity for investors and stakeholders to ask questions, provide feedback and gain deeper insight into how Checkoff investments are supporting industry growth.
Regional Town Halls will begin in August, creating additional opportunities for producers to engage with program leaders and hear updates relevant to their local markets.
One of the most common questions we’ve received from producers is how their teams are engaging with Block Learning Hub educational content.
To help answer that question, the Checkoff has developed new reporting capabilities that provide visibility into Learning Hub participation and completion activity. These reports can highlight engagement by job function, enrollment and completion metrics, and overall usage trends to help producers better understand how their teams are utilizing available educational resources.
Because this information is managed through our internal reporting system, participation reports will be provided upon request. In future editions, we’ll begin highlighting top participating companies and sharing additional engagement trends from across the industry.
Interested in receiving your company’s participation report? Reach out to info@beautyofblock.com to learn more.
PROGRAM APPLICATIONS OPEN JULY 1
Have an idea for a program that could help drive demand for concrete masonry? The Concrete Masonry Checkoff will begin accepting program applications on July 1, 2026, with submissions open through July 31, 2026.
The Checkoff welcomes proposals focused on research, education and promotion efforts that expand market opportunities and increase concrete masonry adoption.
Priority program areas include:
Codes and standards
Education for architects, engineers and contractors
Youth education and career awareness
University education
Design assistance
As you prepare your proposal, please note that the Checkoff Board has identified several priority market segments for investment, including public buildings such as government, civic and institutional projects; warehouses under 100,000 square feet; and single-family residential construction. The initial geographic focus will be Florida, followed by other coastal markets.
Applications will be submitted through Submittable. You can also view the program overview and submission flyer for additional details.
Earlier this month, the Block Design Collective hosted two live webinars focused on helping architects, engineers and design professionals better understand concrete masonry design and performance.
Lauren Kennedy, Central Region Technical Director for the Block Design Collective, led a session on understanding movement and cracking in CMU systems. The presentation explored common causes of cracking, practical crack-control strategies and detailing considerations for openings, corners, shelf angles and other critical locations. Attendees also received an overview of concrete masonry fundamentals, sustainability benefits and common wall assembly types.
Donald Harvey, Vice President at Atkinson-Noland & Associates, hosted a webinar introducing the newly published Concrete Masonry Elevator and Stairwell Building Core Design Guide. Developed through a collaboration between the Concrete Masonry Checkoff Program, Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute and Atkinson-Noland & Associates, the guide helps structural engineers efficiently design CMU building cores using geometry-based and load-based design tables.
Donald’s session walked attendees through how to navigate the guide, understand its assumptions and limitations, and apply its design tables to create safe and optimized masonry core designs in accordance with TMS 402 requirements. If you missed either live presentation or would like to share these resources with architects and engineers in your network, both webinars are now available through the Block Learning Hub.
Join Shawn Mulligan, Founding Partner of Design Clarity, on July 15 from 1:00–2:00 p.m. CT for Built for Learning: Concrete Masonry and Resilient K–12 Schools, a live webinar exploring the use of concrete masonry in K–12 building design.
Intended for architects, engineers and interior designers, this course will examine the structural, acoustic and fire-resistant properties of concrete masonry units (CMU) and discuss their application in educational facilities. Attendees will also review upfront and life-cycle cost considerations associated with concrete masonry construction.
The presentation will introduce embodied carbon and carbon sequestration considerations and highlight project profiles that demonstrate concrete masonry’s compatibility with a variety of building products and systems. Participants will gain insight into the characteristics, performance attributes and design considerations associated with concrete masonry in resilient K–12 school construction.
SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT FOR THE 15TH NORTH AMERICAN MASONRY CONFERENCE
Mark your calendar for the 15th North American Masonry Conference (NAMC 2027), themed "The Evolving World of Masonry," taking place June 13–16, 2027, in San Antonio, Texas.
The call for abstracts is open now, and the conference is inviting researchers, academics, design professionals, contractors, manufacturers, students, and industry professionals to submit abstracts related to masonry materials, design, construction, performance and emerging technologies. Whether it's research findings, technical studies, case studies, field applications, or educational initiatives, there's a place for your work in the program.
Learn more about the submission process and deadlines below.
The Producer Map provides a centralized resource for showcasing concrete masonry manufacturing locations across the country, helping architects, engineers, and contractors quickly find local producers and connect with suppliers in their area.
To support the accuracy and effectiveness of the map, we encourage all producers to review their listings and ensure facility information remains accurate. Keeping information current helps strengthen the visibility of the industry and prepares the map for future expansion to design professionals.
Need to add, update or remove a facility? Complete the Producer Map Request form at any time. If submitting multiple updates, the Excel template available with the form can help streamline the process.
MONTHLY REGIONAL UPDATES FROM THE BDC
Each of our Regional Technical Directors is now sharing monthly updates on the Checkoff’s website to keep you in the loop on their local progress and initiatives.
Looking for branded apparel, event giveaways or team gifts?
The Beauty of Block storefront remains stocked with apparel and promotional items designed specifically for concrete masonry advocates.
New users can receive access using the one-time registration code: BofBMerch
Inventory remains limited on select items, so be sure to explore the latest offerings while supplies last. Once styles sell out, they will not be restocked.
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If you haven’t caught up yet, there are 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.
