ICPI-NCMA announced on February 22 during their Annual Meeting in Columbus, Ohio, that they will now operate as one entity after co-founding the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association.

The new CMHA namesake nods to the rich heritage and expertise of each predecessor, whose origins date back more than 100 years. “Where we’ve been absolutely informs where we’re going,” said CMHA President and CEO Robert Thomas. “Already having a solid foundation in place allows our next chapter to be written from a position of strength. Bringing together the best of both worlds…our members are really going to benefit from that synergy.”

On paper, the unification of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute and the National Concrete Masonry Association officially took effect July 1, 2022. The unified association assumed an interim moniker of ICPI-NCMA. Since then, an appointed branding task group has been working diligently to navigate the intensive rebranding process.

Matt Lynch, who leads the new association as chair of its board of directors, stressed the importance of ensuring that existing members of both organizations felt seen and heard every step of the way. “We took every imaginable measure to invite members to share their perspective through surveys, interviews and a series of hands-on workshops,” Lynch said. This collaborative approach culminated in the recommendation of “CMHA” by the Board of Directors, which general membership voted to approve in December with an overwhelming majority.

As 2023 unfolds, CMHA will look to enhance its platforms across the board, including the launch of a new website, CRM and LMS systems, ensuring a best-in-class user experience.