CONCRETE MASONRY CHECKOFF
Updated: 1 day ago
The Concrete Masonry Checkoff funds programs that put design assistance, education and marketing support in the hands of the people who specify and build with concrete masonry units. Three flagship programs carry most of that work, and all three are free to use.
BEAUTY OF BLOCK
NATIONAL MARKETING PROGRAM
Beauty of Block is the national marketing developed platform to increase demand for concrete masonry by influencing the architects, designers and decision-makers who shape tomorrow’s projects. Grounded in industry research, the campaign provides a unified story that highlights the beauty, resiliency, sustainability and performance of CMU while challenging outdated perceptions of what block can achieve.
Beyond raising awareness, the program equips regions with campaign tools, marketing resources and a shared framework that help generate leads and turn interest into opportunities at the local level. Through ongoing content, project storytelling and design inspiration, Beauty of Block moves concrete masonry from consideration to specification.
RESOURCES INCLUDE
Beauty of Block campaign content
Project Profiles
Inspiration Gallery
Regional marketing framework
Marketing resources and campaign assets supporting resiliency, sustainability, efficient design, cost savings and aesthetics
BLOCK DESIGN COLLECTIVE NATIONAL DESIGN ASSISTANCE NETWORK
The Block Design Collective (BDC) is a centralized design assistance resource created to support architects, engineers and contractors working with concrete masonry units. Whether you are exploring CMU for the first time or refining complex project details, the BDC provides fast, reliable guidance to help teams move forward with confidence.
Supported through industry funding, the BDC offers complimentary project assistance that helps project teams evaluate masonry systems, solve technical challenges and make informed design decisions early in the process. Users also have access to Regional Technical Directors who provide localized expertise and hands-on support at every stage. From code compliance and detailing to constructibility and performance, the BDC helps teams determine if, where and how CMU can improve a project’s performance, aesthetics and bottom line.
RESOURCES INCLUDE:
Block Bites
Continuing education
Design calculators
Details and specs
Guides and manuals
Technical notes
BLOCK LEARNING HUB
NATIONAL EDUCATION PLATFORM
The Block Learning Hub is the concrete masonry industry’s online education and learning platform, providing architects, engineers and contractors with resources to better understand the design, construction and performance of concrete masonry units. It brings together education content from across the industry, covering concrete masonry design, materials, construction, building codes and standards, and real-world applications.
The Hub offers continuing education and professional development, including AIA-approved courses and both live and on-demand learning. Its Train the Trainer program extends that education into local markets by preparing sales teams to lead Hub-based learning events and engage professionals in their regions.
RESOURCES INCLUDE:
AIA continuing education courses
On-demand learning modules
Live educational webinars
Technical education focused on concrete masonry
WHY THESE PROGRAMS ARE FREE
None of this costs a design team or a contractor anything, because the Checkoff is funded by the concrete masonry industry itself. It was authorized by the Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2018 and is overseen by a board of industry members appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, the first checkoff program ever established at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Producers fund it through a per-unit assessment; at least half the money collected in a region stays in that region.
WHY IT MATTERS IN NEW YORK
Every program above is available to a New York practitioner today: a design team in Albany can open a Block Design Collective project assistance request, a firm can run AIA courses from the Block Learning Hub, and a contractor or producer can pull Beauty of Block materials for a regional push.
WHERE TO START
beautyofblock.com — the Beauty of Block campaign, project profiles and the inspiration gallery
blockdesign.org — the Block Design Collective: complimentary project assistance, calculators, details and specs
beautyofblock.com/learn — the Block Learning Hub: AIA and PDH courses, on-demand courses and live webinars
concretemasonrycheckoff.org/programs — program explorer, spotlights and how to submit a program
