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HNA will take place October 19-21, 2022.

NSI members will receive discounts on attendee education and/or exhibiting at the show. For the 2022 show, the Natural Stone Institute will organize a natural stone pavilion and jury the HNA natural stone awards entries. The association’s role will be expanded in 2023 to include coordinating educational seminars that will better equip hardscape professionals with natural stone knowledge.

Partnering with the Hardscape North America show provides NSI with an important opportunity to network with hardscape distributors and share information about sourcing stone from members and training sales teams through online education. “This partnership creates a great opportunity for natural stone quarriers and distributors to expand their network with an important customer base for natural stone,” said NSI CEO Jim Hieb. “Many of our North American quarrier members saw the success of the Natural Stone Pavilion at StonExpo this year and encouraged us to pursue this opportunity. We look forward to bringing this concept to a new audience,” Hieb added.

“Hardscape North America has always enjoyed the presence of natural stone suppliers,” said ICPI Executive Director Charlie McGrath. “The addition of NSI as an endorsing partner gives hardscape professionals direct access to the industry leaders for natural stone education and a larger supplier base from NSI’s membership. We are delighted to welcome NSI and their members to our event,” he added.

To learn more, visit www.hardscapena.com.

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About the Natural Stone Institute

The Natural Stone Institute is a trade association representing every aspect of the natural stone industry. The current membership exceeds 2,000 members in over 50 nations. The association offers a wide array of technical and training resources, professional development opportunities, regulatory advocacy, and networking events. Two prominent publications—the Dimension Stone Design Manual and Building Stone Magazine—raise awareness within the natural stone industry and in the design community for best practices and uses of natural stone.

About the ICPI-NCMA

ICPI-NCMA is the authority for segmental concrete products and systems, which are the best value and preferred choice for resilient pavement, structures, and living spaces. ICPI-NCMA promotes the acceptance and use of segmental concrete products and systems in the United States and Canada.

Award winners will be recognized during the 2022 HNA Awards Ceremony on October 20 during the Hardscape North America trade show at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Winners and honorable mention recipients will be featured on the HNA website and in several industry publications.

Eligible projects include residential and commercial projects in the following categories:

• Clay Brick
• Clay Brick – Permeable
• Concrete Paver
• Concrete Paver – Permeable
• Segmental Retaining Walls
• Combination of Hardscape Products
• Porcelain Paver
• Natural Stone
• Outdoor Living Features
• Vintage Installation

“We have been participating in the HNA Awards for years. We won our first HNA Award in 2009 and we’ve participated annually for 12 straight years,” said 2021 HNA Awards Winner Joe Monello of Monello Landscape Industries. “We are extremely proud of our multiple awards received over the years and with the national recognition HNA provides for Monello Landscape Industries. Thank you HNA!”

All entries, except the Vintage Installation category, must have been completed between November 1, 2018, and June 30, 2022. Vintage installation entries must have been installed before 2012. Projects are juried by industry experts for their excellence in design, craftsmanship, construction, and compatibility.  The entry deadline is September 2, 2022.

The HNA Awards are produced by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute and National Concrete Masonry Association (ICPI-NCMA) and endorsed by the Brick Industry Association (BIA) and the Natural Stone Institute (NSI). Sponsors for the HNA Awards include Belgard, iQ Power Tools, Keystone Hardscapes, and Memphis Wood Fire Grills.

Learn more or enter a project.

HNA Awards Sponsors

The HNA Awards are sponsored by Belgard Hardscapes, iQ Power Tools, Keystone Hardscapes, and Memphis Wood Fire Grills. The Awards are produced by ICPI-NCMA and endorsed by the Brick Industry Association and Natural Stone Institute.

Expanded Show Hours, New Exhibitors, and Enhanced Attendee Experiences Add Value to the Industry’s Largest Event

Hardscape contractors, dealers, and landscape professionals can register at www.HardscapeNA.com for the $20 early bird rate through Sept. 9.

“With opportunities for shopping the newest products, test driving, learning installation techniques and business-building tips, attendees can customize their experience to get the best value for their investment,” said Charles McGrath, Executive Director of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI). “We hear from attendees every year that they returned home armed with the knowledge and tools to advance their businesses.”

Popular features include:

• Hardscape House and Outdoor Demonstration Area where attendees can learn from live demos, watch the Installer Championships and get behind the controls of equipment
• The opening keynote, which will feature golf and television personality David Feherty
• Free concerts, including country star Trace Adkins, at Fourth Street Live!
• Education sessions and installer courses that offer certification, business skills and marketing tools
• The Drone Zone where attendees can test their ability on a flight simulator, then fly a drone with an expert trainer

New this year, HNA will open earlier on Wednesday – 9 a.m. for dealers and noon for contractors. The outdoor exhibits will open Wednesday at noon, giving attendees three days for testing equipment. A welcome reception at Louisville Slugger Field in downtown Louisville will kick things off with food and fireworks Tuesday, Oct. 18, 6:30-9 p.m.

Access to the co-located Equip Exposition (formerly GIE+EXPO) is included with HNA registration.

For information, call (888) 580-9960 or visit www.hardscapena.com.

HNA is produced by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute and is endorsed by the Brick Industry Association, National Concrete Masonry Association and Natural Stone Institute.

HNA Sponsors

The 2022 Platinum Sponsors are Belgard Hardscapes, Colmet LLC and Keystone Hardscapes. Gold Sponsors are FORTRESS Engineered Edge Restraints, Nicolock Paving Stones & Retaining Walls, POLYCOR and Probst Inc. The Silver Sponsor is Germans Boada, S.A.  HNA is produced by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute and endorsed by the Brick Industry Association, the National Concrete Masonry Association, and the Natural Stone Institute.

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Editors’ Note: Click here for downloadable HNA photos.

Act now and submit a completed sponsorship form to make sure you have a spot reserved for your team to compete in the 2022 HNA Installer Championship!

Each team that competes will have a sponsor. The team sponsorship fee of $3,750 covers the costs associated with running the national event, including hotel stays for the competitors, and cash prizes for the top four teams. HNA will provide each sponsored team up to three complimentary tradeshow passes, three rooms for two nights (a total of 6 room nights), and registration for the HNA Installer Championship. Promotional perk alert: HNA recommends the sponsor and the team work together to brand the competitors’ attire for sponsor recognition during the competition. 

HNA has 6 team spots remaining for the 2022 competition. It is recommended that companies secure their team sponsorship right away and then determine which team they will support to compete in Louisville. Sponsors will be allowed to register up to two teams until May 8. After that date, sponsors can register to bring more teams, space permitting.

Sponsors can select the team they bring to Louisville using any method or criteria they choose. Want to sponsor a team, but don’t know who to sponsor? HNA will offer a “match-making service” to put teams interested in competing in touch with sponsors.

Have a team that wants to compete, but don’t have a sponsor? Let us know and we can try to connect the team with a sponsor.

Ready to become a sponsor? Review and fill out the linked sponsorship form and return as directed on the form. As noted earlier, only 6 spots are available and they will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The indoor exhibits will open earlier Wednesday – 9 a.m. for dealers and noon for contractors. Show hours for Thursday and Friday will remain the same.

      Wednesday, Oct. 19:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m. for dealers / Noon – 5 p.m. for contractors (indoor only)
      Thursday, Oct. 20:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (indoor and outdoor)
      Friday, Oct. 21:  9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (indoor) / 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (outdoor)

New attendee experiences will include:

• A welcome reception at Louisville Slugger Field in downtown Louisville. All attendees are welcome for food and fireworks Tuesday, Oct. 18, 6:30-9 p.m.

• Mulligan’s 5k Run and Walk, sponsored by Ariens Co. and the TurfMutt Foundation and benefiting the Kentucky Humane Society, will take participants across the Ohio River on the Big Four pedestrian bridge Wednesday beginning at 7 a.m.
• Golf and television personality David Feherty will present the opening keynote Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
• Country star Trace Adkins will headline the free concert series with a Thursday evening performance at Fourth Street Live!
• A new Friday morning networking breakfast and closing keynote will feature National Geographic’s Photo Ark creator Joel Sartore.

HNA will again be co-located with Equip Exposition (formerly known as GIE+EXPO) at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For information, call (888) 580-9960 or visit www.hardscapena.com.

Yoffe Exposition Services Brings Years of Hardscape Industry and Event Management Experience

According to ICPI Executive Director Charles McGrath, Yoffe Expo is a natural fit for HNA, as the company partnered with the New England Concrete Manufacturers Association in 2016 to create the Northeast Hardscape Expo. After selling out the exhibit floor and hosting thousands of attendees the first year, the show has continued to be a success.

“We’re looking forward to working with Yoffe Exposition Services to build on the growth we’ve experienced the past several years,” said McGrath. “Bob brings an extensive event management background. Combine that with his strong relationships in the hardscape industry, and we’re confident HNA will continue to thrive with him at the helm.”

With over thirty-five years of experience as a manager and director of trade and consumer expositions, Bob Yoffe’s career began with the Reed Exhibition Companies in 1985. He later launched Yoffe Exposition Services with a concept to assist industry trade associations by professionally managing their shows while leaving the ultimate control over the event with the association. His client roster includes the Washington Auto Show and the Rhode Island Home, Garden & Flower Show. Both are the #1 public expositions in their respective markets.

Hardscape North America Education Goes Virtual once again in 2022

As we emerge from more than a year of disruption from our in-person learning resources, we have discovered there are many ways to deliver, and take advantage of, valuable lessons from seasoned professionals in our industry. Hardscaping experts are once again offering their knowledge and experience virtually in an interactive two-day event that includes an expanded 5 learning tracks with loads of continuing education credits.

2022 Virtual HNA Learning Tracks will feature:

INSTALLATION TRACK 1
• Installing Landscape Lighting for Hardscape Projects – Jim Frederick
• Top Differences Between ICP and PICP Installation – Robert Bowers, P. Eng.
• Cleaning, Sanding & Sealing Pavers – Jay Krech
• Installing Natural Stone – James Fitzsimmons
• Installing Porcelain in Pool & Spa Applications – Marc Larsen

INSTALLATION TRACK 2
• Installing Raised Patios & Segmental Retaining Walls – Frank Bourque
• Beginners Guide to Construction Math: Areas and Volume – Bryan Horr, P.E.
• Hardscape Installations in Tight Quarters and Challenging Sites – Frank Bourque
• Pedestal Porcelain Installations Demo – Marc Larsen
• Advanced Techniques in Patterns and Borders – Dan Hughes

BUSINESS TRACK
• Business Roundtable: Recruiting and Other Tricks of the Trade – Frank Bourque, Jeremy Martin, Harrison Woytko, Dan Hughes
• Succession Planning – Jerry Gaeta
• Managing for Success: Striking a Balance Between Doing and Managing – Leslie Shiner
• Grow Your Business by Adding Professional Design Services – Frank Bourque
• Estimating Hardscape Projects with Confidence – Jerry Gaeta

MARKETING TRACK
• Marketing Roundtable: Getting Your Word on the Street – Kathy Granger, Sam Gembel, Charissa Farley, Derek Whisenand
• Better Marketing, Better Employees: The Secret Weapon to Recruiting – Corey Halstead • Using Time-Lapse Videos, Drones, and Other Media for Sales and Marketing – Tom Gardocki
• Creating Authenticity in Marketing – Steven Hawkins
• Emotional Marketing for Hardscaping – Kathy Granger

SALES TRACK
• Sales Roundtable: Selling in Today’s Environment – Trevor Fearn, Josh Barnes, Donny Duke, Steve Nelson
• Enhancing Your Customer’s Experience to Build Loyalty – Gary Ross
• Keys to Successful Contractor/Distributor Relationships – Ed Fioroni, PhD
• Selling in a Digital World – Corey Halstead
• How to Make a Compelling Sales Offer – Gary Ross

Registration is now open!

EARLYBIRD and TEAM REGISTRATION options are both available now and can make this rare opportunity even better by reducing already low costs – enabling all team members to participate economically.

Preparing your team for a busy season, regardless of their level of experience, should include best-practice training and timesaving tips from course leaders with many years of project and business building experience. ICPI has assembled a team of instructors for this Virtual HNA event that will deliver precisely that.

Program and registration details are available at https://icpi.org/virtual-hna.