Hardscape North America
Daniel Pfannenstein has been with Coldspring for 19 years. He has been involved in the stone industry all of his career. Daniel has worked within the Architectural/Commercial markets and now is currently the Domestic and International Block Sales Manager. Daniel loves the stone industry and the people that it serves. Daniel is based out of the Coldspring Headquarters in Cold Spring, MN.
Please Note there has been a time change for this session.
Most contractors start their businesses because they’re good at the work. But building a profitable company requires something very different: knowing your numbers, building systems, and learning to lead.
Caleb and Brittany Auman have done exactly that. Over the last several years they’ve grown their design-build company by more than 30% — not by just getting busier, but by getting intentional. Their north star? $270 in revenue per field hour. Once they knew that number, everything changed: how they priced work, how they ran their crews, how they made decisions, and how they planned for growth.
In this session, they’ll share the real story of that shift — including the mistakes, the hard conversations, and the leadership growth required to move from reacting to operating with clarity and control.
Attendees will leave with:
• A framework for understanding the key numbers that drive a profitable contracting business
• Practical strategies for pricing design-build work to hit your production targets
• Systems that create consistency in both the office and the field
• Leadership habits that help your team take ownership and perform at a higher level
Whether you’re at $500K or $5M, this session will challenge how you measure success — and give you a clearer picture of what it actually takes to run a company that performs.
$FREE Members /
$FREE Non-Members
Unlock the power of strategic planning by beginning with the end in mind. This session explores how defining a clear three-year vision—from sales goals to team structure and key metrics—can transform your organization. Learn how to link your annual, quarterly, and weekly plans to that vision, ensuring every action drives long-term success and meaningful growth.
Learning Objectives:
$69 Members /
$99 Non-Members
Kenneth Deemer is a co-founder of Local Roots Landscaping, a hardscape and landscape design, build, and maintenance firm in Pittsburgh, PA with $9 million in annual revenue. His passions lie in building teams, maximizing efficiencies, and empowering individuals to be the best versions of themselves in work and in their personal lives. Patrick is actively involved in the leadership of their own firm and speak nationally to share their combined experience and facilitate meaningful growth and change in green industry organizations.
The prelim rounds of competition wrap up with the remaining 4 elite teams going head-to-head in a high-pressure, 60-minute timed challenge—each working from the same detailed drawing. Precision, speed, and skill will be put to the ultimate test!
Come cheer on your favorite teams, experience the excitement up close, and pick up valuable installation techniques you can use yourself.
Don’t miss the action—this is where the best installers prove their craft!
The competition continues with the 5th-8th (of 12) elite teams going head-to-head in a high-pressure, 60-minute timed challenge—each working from the same detailed drawing. Precision, speed, and skill will be put to the ultimate test!
Come cheer on your favorite teams, experience the excitement up close, and pick up valuable installation techniques you can use yourself.
Don’t miss the action—this is where the best installers prove their craft!
The competition kicks off as the first 4 of 12 elite teams go head-to-head in a high-pressure, 60-minute timed challenge—each working from the same detailed drawing. Precision, speed, and skill will be put to the ultimate test!
Come cheer on your favorite teams, experience the excitement up close, and pick up valuable installation techniques you can use yourself.
Don’t miss the action—this is where the best installers prove their craft!
Who knows your yard best? Our dogs. On Thursday, attendees can adopt rescue dogs, through a partnership with the Kentucky Humane Society. From TurfMutt’s humble beginnings, the program, which showcases the value of family yards and managed green spaces, has grown into an educational juggernaut. The TurfMutt program has reached 70 million kids, teachers and families and is featured in the U.S. Green Building Council’s prestigious Global Learning Lab.
The National Installer Championship Event takes place at Hardscape North America each year. Twelve (12) team spots are available for the taking – will you be one of them in 2026? Here are some important dates and information about what to expect if you compete in the National event: