The Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Ontario (RMCAO) hosted its 56th Annual General Meeting and Convention Sept. 24 through 26 at Muskoka Rosseau Resort & Spa in Minett.
Tom Bellis, RMCAO’s marketing and communications director, said the association introduced its new brand-Concrete Ontario – at the conference. “We will be soft launching the brand in the coming weeks with a full launch in time for the World of Concrete Pavilion at Construct Canada in December”.
He said more than 180 guests typically attend the conference and that this was the fifth year it had been hosted at this location. “The venue is ideal for a number of reasons. Being away from the daily chaos of an urban center allows our members to be more engaged with one another and also provides our guests the ability to enjoy some well-deserved down time and to enjoy the amenities provided by the Rosseau or just enjoy all the nature offers up in Muskoka.”
Bellis says each year the association’s AGM organizing community has the task of choosing a theme. This year it was the 80’s. He says having a theme that spans a decade opened up costume ideas for this year’s costume dance to a lot of options.
The three-day event always features several key speakers and presentations. “We were excited this year to have Michael “Pinball” Clemons as our keynote speaker. His boundless energy and emotion with everything he gets involved in ensured our members got excited and energized about their future goals and objectives.”
He says Lou Schizas, a commentator with the “Happy Capitalism” segment on AM640 Toronto Radio, has been a staple at the AGM for a number of years now, always providing entertaining insights into the business and economic world. Other speakers included guests from MTO (Ministry of Transportation Ontario) and IO (Infrastructure Ontario).
“For our companions we had some great speakers as well. Jane Lockhart, principal and owner of Jane Lockhart Interior Design, shared interior design ideas that are sure to add flare to any space.”
This year RMCAO members where again invited to enter canoes in the concrete canoe races. Bellis said among the teams participating this year where last year’s winning team – the University of Toronto. The University of Western Ontario, the University of Waterloo and Ryerson University also took part. “We also had BASF Canada entering a new canoe this year and also giving up their canoe from last year for auction, to be raced by highest bidder.”
All proceeds from the canoe race where dedicated to Camp Ooch, a summer camp for children with cancer that the association regularly supports.
Since 1959 the association has also encouraged all active members to participate in the annual Safety Contest. This year’s awards, presented at the conference, recognized 19 members with no lost time accidents.
Other awards went to Parry Sound Ready Mix Limited, Category 1 (0-15,000 Hours); Spartan Ready Mix, Category 2 (15,001-50,000 Hours); Hogg Fuel & Supply Ltd., Category 3 (50,001-100,000 Hours); Miller Concrete, Category 4 (100,001-250,000 Hours); Inncocon, Category 5 ( 250,001+500,000 Hours); and Lafarge, Category 6 (500,001 + Hours).
For more information, visit www.rmcao.org/news-events/rmcao-agm-convention