May gave our industry an opportunity to evaluate where we are and align around where we’re headed next.
Our recent Board Meeting marked an important milestone as we introduced a new five-year strategic plan focused on growing concrete masonry demand nationwide while strengthening support for producers and design professionals. The conversations throughout the meeting reinforced the strong momentum we continue to see across the industry and our shared commitment to long-term growth.
This month also highlighted the value of education and engagement efforts across our programs. From strong participation in sustainability webinars to ongoing conversations around design assistance and producer engagement, it is encouraging to see investors actively utilizing the resources being developed through the Checkoff.
As we move into summer, we are preparing for our upcoming National Town Hall in July, which will provide another opportunity to share updates, answer questions and continue building transparency around the progress your investments are helping drive every day.
I appreciate the continued collaboration and engagement from producers and partners across the industry as we work together to strengthen the future of concrete masonry.
IN THIS EDITION:
Feature Focus: May Board Meeting + New Five-Year Strategic Plan
Announcements: St. Jude Dream Home + Masonry in a Box
Block the Date: National Town Hall + Upcoming Webinars
FEATURE FOCUS: MAY BOARD MEETING + NEW FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN
This month, Concrete Masonry Checkoff leadership and industry partners gathered for the May Board Meeting to discuss program progress, industry priorities and long-term growth opportunities for concrete masonry nationwide.
A key highlight was the introduction of the Checkoff’s new five-year strategic plan, which sets a goal of delivering 50 million blocks per year through expanded education, marketing and design-assistance efforts.
The strategy focuses on supporting architects, engineers and contractors with practical tools, technical resources and project assistance through the Block Design Collective while prioritizing high-opportunity sectors such as government buildings, midsized warehouses and coastal residential construction.
Program leaders also shared updates on campaign performance, regional engagement efforts and upcoming initiatives designed to strengthen industry visibility and increase adoption of concrete masonry solutions nationwide.
Construction is underway on the 2026 St. Jude Dream Home, and this year’s project marks a major milestone as one of the first St. Jude Dream Homes built with concrete masonry. Recently, Brent Gleason, President of Dominion Block, Brick & Hardscapes, highlighted the role CMU plays in delivering long-term durability, resilience and energy efficiency while supporting a project that will make a lasting impact on the community.
We are excited to watch this project come to life in the coming months. Be sure to be on the lookout for updates on the Beauty of Block social media channels.
MASONRY IN A BOX: NOW AVAILABLE!
The Masonry in a Box Engineering Curriculum is now available on the Checkoff website, giving educators a ready-to-use resource for introducing structural masonry design in the classroom.
Developed to support universities and engineering programs, the curriculum includes comprehensive teaching materials ranging from single-session masonry introductions to half-semester and full-semester coursework. Resources include PowerPoint presentations, homework problems with solutions, sample exams and design projects intended to help students build practical understanding of masonry structural systems.
This initiative is part of the Checkoff’s continued investment in strengthening education and helping prepare the next generation of professionals to confidently design with concrete masonry.
Hear the latest on Checkoff programs and campaign progress during the national town hall, featuring Kim Spahn, Alicia Hodges, and other industry leaders. Regional town halls will kick off in early August. Stay tuned for dates and additional details.
Date: July 14 | Time: 11:00 a.m. CT
All attendees will be entered for a chance to win one of 25 Beauty of Block tumblers!
MAY PROGRAM WEBINAR RECAP: DESIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Earlier this week, the Checkoff hosted a program webinar focused on the Block Design Collective Design Assistance Program.
The session provided national and regional updates, highlighted key milestones, and introduced the tools, resources, and engagement opportunities available to support design professionals and strengthen industry relationships. The webinar also created valuable space for investors to ask questions, share feedback and discuss additional tools that could help support the industry moving forward.
If you missed the session or would like to revisit the discussion, the webinar recording is now available on demand.
Earlier this month, Chuck Rotondo, Northeast Region Technical Director for the Block Design Collective, hosted a webinar in partnership with Architectural Record that focused on how concrete masonry impacts sustainability across the full building life cycle, from raw materials to long-term reuse. The webinar was jam-packed with insightful information, with 446 total attendees tuning in to hear all about it.
Additionally, Chuck hosted a Block Learning Hub webinar exploring the broader sustainability story of concrete masonry.
The session highlighted resiliency, energy efficiency, low embodied carbon, and lifecycle considerations that contribute to sustainable CMU design and construction. The webinar generated strong engagement and is now available on demand through the Block Learning Hub.
Join Lauren Kennedy, Central Regional Director of the Block Design Collective, on June 3 for a live webinar exploring concrete masonry fundamentals and best practices for managing movement and cracking in CMU systems.
This session will review:
Common causes of movement and cracking
Crack-control strategies for CMU systems
Detailing best practices for openings, corners and shelf angles
Sustainability drivers and common wall assembly types
We recently launched the new Producer Map on the Checkoff’s website, giving producers an easy way to share accurate location information with architects, engineers and industry partners. An "Industry Directory" page is currently in development on the Beauty of Block website. It will give AECs visibility into the industry’s national and state associations, as well as producers.
If you would like to add, update or remove a facility, you can do so by completing the Excel template listed under the map and submitting it through the Producer Map Request Form. This helps ensure the map stays current and reflects the full reach of our producer network.
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.
Don’t forget, the Beauty of Block storefront is ready for you and your team. Whether you are looking for crew gifts, event giveaways or something sharp to wear at your next meeting, we’ve got you covered.
If you have been thinking about grabbing something for your team, now is the time. Quantities are limited and once styles sell out, they will not be restocked.
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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.
