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A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

THE SMBL 500—WHERE MASONRY WINS EVERY TIME

W
hen the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® (SMBL 500) originated in 2003 it was simply intended to popularize the craft
by creating a venue to showcase the amazing skills of bricklayers—something that all masonry supporters could enjoy.
Well, over the years the competition blossomed into a 12-month campaign that includes a couple dozen regional
qualifying competitions that draw unprecedented media attention. And today the masonry community is leveraging that publicity
as a promotional tool to help tackle the industry’s greatest challenge, workforce development. At a time when the cost of a college
education isn’t affordable or even considered by many young adults, starting a career in masonry is a great option, especially when
one day you could be crowned, “World’s Best Bricklayer!”

As masonry contractors throughout North America battle to increase their market share with a shortage of skilled labor, the
SMBL 500 is working diligently behind the scenes to energize a new generation of craftsmen. By collaborating with masonry
contractors, instructors and trade associations such as the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), our mission is to
inspire, recruit and train young talent ready to carry on the industry’s rich legacy.

As the popularity of the SMBL 500 grows, so has the interest level in competing among those new to the trade. When you’re telling
an 18 year old the stakes have never been more high, and they could potentially take home one of the coveted prizes (a new Ford
F250 4x4, and John Deere Gator, or a piece of the overall purse of $125,000), you instantly grab their attention.

The pride for earning a spot on the national roster is also at an all-time high. Across North America masons are lining up for a
chance to be named their region’s “best bricklayer,” because they know it’s a marketing tool that can use to build their brand and
sell their skills for many years down the road. Previous winners have also found themselves in important educational roles brought
on by their recent success. Young apprentices want to learn from the best, and the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 provides an
opportunity for masons to stand out amongst their peers while serving as a mentor to many.

Though the SMBL 500 is designed to test the speed, skill and stamina of each competitor, something that is often overlooked is
how those attributes translate into the job market. Many of the regional champions questioned about the viability of this event
agree this is exactly what this industry needs to showcase the kind of laborer that will be successful in the real world. Having the
ability to lay brick quickly, cleanly and perfectly is what employers demand.

Masons and tenders are also spending more time practicing for their regionals, which improves the overall quality of the masons
qualifying for Las Vegas. The direct result of their extra effort has shown a strong increase in average brick count, and the quality of
the walls. Over the last 16 world championship events, the average winning brick count is 734, a long way from the inaugural event
when Wayne Phipps of Batesville, AR won with 539 brick. The highest brick count recorded is 911, a record set by Garrett Hood of
Monroe, NC in 2010.

As the SPEC MIX team puts the finishing touches on the biggest event in masonry, we would like to take a moment to wish
everyone a great show, and to congratulate all of our competitors and sponsors for another successful year of keeping the trade
strong. We look forward to seeing you in the MASONRY MADNESS® Arena where our industry rallies each year to celebrate the
greatest craft in the construction industry! To use the MCAA mantra…TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER!

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