Enlighten.
Educate.
Empower.
Employ.

Dear Northeast Hardscape Expo Exhibitor,
The New England Concrete Manufacturers Association is a professional association of forward-thinking members who share a dynamic vision that unites them, with a commitment to grow the Masonry & Hardscape industry. Identifying and developing pathways to success for students and individuals through promotion, education and connection. As a 501c nonprofit association, the NECMA provides monetary grants, material donations, education to instructors, and hosts industry-related events through-out the year. We are also the proud owners of the Northeast Hardscape Expo.
The NECMA is constantly working towards achieving the highest standards in industry educational opportunities. Our organization has crafted “Career Day”, a comprehensive two-day educational and career opportunity experience, intended to capture the attention and imagination of Connecticut Vocational Technical students and their parents by connecting them to industry leaders and owners of companies doing business in the hardscape and masonry industry. The program is appropriate for undergraduates, engaging them, as they climb the ladder of learning by honing their skills and expanding their knowledge.

The Career Day Event will be held during the Northeast Hardscape Expo on March 16th & 17th, 2022 as an event-within-an event and will not disrupt business at your booth.

Students will be identified by their name badges. The students have been instructed to behave in a professional manner and to not interrupt business conversations. Please address the students as you see fit, as they would be encouraged by your input. The students will be released to the show floor in smaller groups and encouraged to spread-out, the other groups will be engaged in panel discussions with industry professionals and meeting with a select group of professional contractors about job opportunities. One group at a time will visit the exhibit hall during show hours.

With your help and support the NECMA will elevate the future of our industry by:
Enlighten: Students will have access to the show floor, and be exposed to you, the NEHExpo exhibitors. Who better to acquaint them with tools, products, services and opportunities, than the folks who use and sell these items?
Educate: Students will learn from selected industry professionals and business owners who will take part in educational exercises, and panel discussions outside the main hall in a classroom setting.
Empower: Students will leave empowered by learning about the variety of career opportunities that lie before them and the success they can achieve within the Masonry and Hardscape trades.
Employ: Students will connect with business owners and decision makers about potential employment opportunities that await them upon graduation. The future of our industry is our hands, let’s take action!

200 Vocational Technical High School Students

20 Instructors and administrators

23 Exhibiting Companies

18 Professional Contractors

2 Panels of Industry Pros

Gathered together to produce the NECMA Career Day Event in October 2021, representation from the best the industry has to offer. 2 days of listening, learning and inspiring. The goal was to capture the imaginations of the current group of students enrolled in Masonry and Hardscape programs within the Massachusetts Vocational System. This could not be done without the help of our generous exhibitors, sponsors, members and educators. The MTTA (Massachusetts Trowel Trades Association) also played a key role in helping the NECMA identify a format that would captivate and inspire the next generation of employees.

The program was a tremendous success and we are exploring an option for repeating a similar project for 2022.