Fall is shaping up to be a busy season for the Concrete Masonry Checkoff, with opportunities to connect, learn and continue moving our industry forward together.
Over the past several weeks, our Regional Advisory Committees have been coming together to discuss local priorities and help shape recommendations for future Checkoff investments. Then, in November, our Board will meet in Washington, D.C., to continue that work at the national level.
As we head into the final months of the year, I encourage you to stay involved, take advantage of the resources available to you and continue sharing what you’re seeing in your own markets. Your perspective is an important part of where we go next.
Thank you, as always, for your continued investment, engagement and partnership.
IN THIS EDITION:
Letter From Kim
Feature Focus:November Board Meeting
Announcements:CMC Live Sessions, Architectural Record Webinar, Midwest Masonry Design Summit + 2026 Masonry MasterClass
Block the Date:RAC In-Person Meetings, Board Meeting, All RAC Summit + Q3 Assessment Deadline
FEATURE FOCUS
Make Plans for the November Board Meeting
The Concrete Masonry Checkoff Board will be meeting November 4-5 in Washington, D.C. Board meetings provide an important opportunity to review Checkoff progress, discuss priorities and continue guiding investments designed to grow demand for concrete masonry.
Make plans to join us and stay connected to the conversations helping shape what comes next.
Our September CMC Live Session brought together leaders from national and regional Codes & Standards programs for an investor-focused look at Checkoff-funded work helping protect and strengthen concrete masonry’s position in the marketplace. Ben Nantasai, Tony Topping and Nick Lang shared national and regional program updates, recent advocacy and regulatory developments, key milestones, and a look at what’s ahead for Codes & Standards initiatives.
Coming This November
Our next CMC Live Session will turn the spotlight on Checkoff-funded University Relations efforts, including key accomplishments to date and a look at upcoming milestones. Join Kevin Walsh and Sherryen Mutoka of Frost Engineering to hear the latest on the program and what’s ahead.
November 11, 2026 | 11:00 AM CT
Plus, live attendees will have the chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Beauty of Block® Teams Up With Architectural Record
Help us bring the benefits of concrete masonry to more architects and design professionals. On October 14, Beauty of Block is sponsoring an Architectural Record webinar exploring how concrete masonry can support resilient, high-performing K-12 schools.
Presented by Lauren Kennedy of the Beauty of Block Design Collective, the webinar will explore concrete masonry’s structural, acoustic and fire-resistant properties, along with considerations surrounding first cost, life-cycle cost, sustainability and embodied carbon.
October 14 | 2 PM ET
Know an architect, engineer or design professional who could benefit? Share this opportunity with your network and help us expand the reach of Checkoff-supported education.
The 2026 Midwest Masonry Design Summit is bringing architects, engineers, educators, students and industry professionals together from November 2-3 at the University of Notre Dame for two days focused on innovation and sustainability in structural masonry design. Help us spread the word by sharing the Summit with architects and engineers in your network who may be interested in attending.
Concrete masonry producers are also invited to exhibit. Exhibiting is an opportunity to showcase products and resources, connect directly with architects and engineers and help design professionals better understand the concrete masonry solutions available for their projects. Exhibitor registration is $750 and includes exhibit space and one attendee registration.
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.
Registration is open for the 2026 Masonry MasterClass, an advanced virtual course designed specifically for senior-level architects and masonry engineers in the Northeast. Participants will explore real-world masonry design and detailing challenges across five sessions and earn up to 10 AIA LU/HSW credits. The first session takes place on November 2.
Help us spread the word! Please share this opportunity with experienced architects and engineers in your network who would benefit from advanced masonry design education.
The registration deadline is October 9, and space is limited. Participation is by application, with invitations sent to those selected.
The deadline to submit Q3 2026 assessment reports and payments is November 30, 2026. Assessment information, guidance and resources are available through the Concrete Masonry Checkoff website to help producers prepare and submit their quarterly assessments.
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.
Cost and carbon are often treated as separate design challenges. But what happens when architects look at them through the same lens? See how greater system efficiency can influence both.
What Does Designing for Every Student Really Require?
Creating a campus for students with diverse and complex needs puts every design decision under a different lens. See how one Pennsylvania project balanced accessibility, safety and performance to create an environment designed around the people who use it.
