Tag: HNA

Hardscape North America Opens Official Hotel Room Block for HNA 2026

Hardscape North America (HNA) has opened its hotel room block for HNA 2026, taking place October 21-23 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

The Hyatt Regency Louisville will once again serve as the HNA Headquarters Hotel, offering convenient access to the trade show and after-hours events, as well as downtown restaurants and attractions. A limited number of rooms are available at the HNA group rate: $240 single occupancy and $250 double occupancy. Reservations and additional details are available at HardscapeNA.com/hotel.

In addition to hosting HNA exhibitors and attendees, the Hyatt Regency will also be the site of CMHA’s Installer Courses on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 20-21. These courses and certification exams give hardscape professionals the opportunity to build essential skills and earn industry-recognized credentials.

Course offerings cover a wide range of areas, including concrete paver installation, segmental retaining walls, permeable pavement systems, and manufactured stone veneer. From foundational techniques to advanced residential wall construction, each course is designed to boost technical expertise, ensure quality craftsmanship, and help professionals stand out in a competitive market.

Additional Louisville Hotels
Thanks to HNA’s co-location with Equip Exposition, attendees will also have access to pre-arranged rates at additional Louisville hotels. For assistance booking any Louisville hotel other than the Hyatt Regency Louisville, contact Louisville Tourism Housing at 502-561-3100 or 800-743-3100, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Book Early
With HNA and Equip Expo drawing record attendance in 2025, demand for hotel rooms is expected to remain strong in 2026. Attendees are encouraged to book early to secure preferred accommodations and group rates.

Register to Attend HNA
The HNA registration fee is only $25 through May 31, 2026. Registration at the show is $120.* HNA’s co-location with Equip Exposition offers attendees access to both shows with one badge and more than 1,000 total exhibits, extensive outdoor demo areas, and unmatched networking opportunities. Register today at HardscapeNA.com.  

HNA is produced by the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) and is endorsed by the Brick Industry Association (BIA) and Natural Stone Institute (NSI).  

*Registration for non-exhibiting vendors, manufacturers, suppliers, ad agencies, consultants and media sales is $450.

Record Crowds Gather in Louisville for a Hands-On Hardscape North America Experience

The hardscape and landscape industry came together in Louisville, Kentucky October 22-24 for a record-breaking Hardscape North America (HNA). Nearly 30,000 people from all 50 states and 52 countries filled the Kentucky Exposition Center to see what’s new and next for products, equipment, and technology at HNA and the co-located Equip Exposition.


Together, the two shows featured more than 1,000 exhibits spread across indoor and outdoor spaces. HNA alone included 3,699 attendees (a 10% increase) and 226 exhibitors covering 61,100 sq. ft. in the North and West Wings of the expo center. With 47 companies that had not exhibited in HNA previously, attendees saw a wider variety of products, including more software solutions and swimming pool equipment and products. Just outside, the 42,000-sq.-ft. Hardscape House and the 30-acre Outdoor Demonstration Yard provided attendees a chance to learn new installation techniques and test-drive equipment.


A team from Back To Nature Landscaping traveled from Blacksburg, Virginia. “I had an excellent time at the show this year,” said Mickey Quesenberry. “I spent most of my time researching a new system to help our company grow in the future while my guys that I brought were able to test and learn about new equipment and tools. Back To Nature Landscaping tries to go to this event every year and every year we are not disappointed.”

Matthew Deffer of Sierra Summit Landscaping LLC brought his crew from Reno, Nevada. “We had a great time at HNA 2025! It was easy to find the products we were interested in. The opportunity to meet and discuss the industry with other professionals and get a glimpse of the future of landscape and hardscape is unparalleled. Anyone looking to learn and grow in the business should definitely attend.”


Education at HNA

Learning opportunities filled the week, from Tuesday through Friday. Attendees explored new technology, installation techniques and business strategies. Many of the sessions qualified for continuing education hours.


New this year were sessions on integrating utilities into hardscapes, CDL driver information, stewarding faith in business, and more. Savannah Bananas founder Jesse Cole delivered a high-energy keynote on Wednesday that drew a packed room. This session was included with HNA trade show registration.

  • 64 attendees participated in the Pre-Show CMHA Installer Courses, which were held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown.
  • 348 attendees upgraded their registration to include six hands-on Hardscape Demos led by Local Roots Landscaping.
  • 342 contractors and dealers purchased a VIP Pass, gaining access to all 15 of the education sessions, the six Hardscape Demos and two hardscape workshops for up to a 50% discount. 

HNA Competitions and Prize Winners

With more than $18,000 in prizes on the line, 12 teams competed in the annual HNA Installer Championship in the Hardscape House. The top four teams from Thursday’s preliminary rounds advanced to Friday’s finals. Each team was sponsored by a hardscape industry organization.

  • First Place: Pavers by Porter, sponsored by Outdoor Living Supply
    This marks their third consecutive championship win. Under event rules, Pavers by Porter will retire from competition, opening the door for a new champion in 2026.
  • Second Place: Authentic Willow, sponsored by SHS Distributors
  • Third Place: Epic Pavers, sponsored by Whiz-Q Stone and Keystone Hardscapes
  • Fourth Place: 9 Trees Landscape Construction, sponsored by Keystone Hardscapes

Ready to compete in 2026? Fill out the interest form to let us know.


The HNA Awards celebrated excellence across the U.S. and Canada, drawing 192 project entries. Winners and honorable mentions were recognized in 18 hardscape categories during the awards ceremony on October 23. The list of winning entries, along with a link to photos, is available at https://bit.ly/43U1P8n.

    
The always-popular HNA Cornhole Tournament brought together 32 teams, with daily cash prizes for the top performers. On Wednesday, two teams from Vincent Lawn Care and the team from Lovell took top honors. On Thursday, Vincent Lawn Care, Lovell, and TVA were the winners. 


In the West Wing Giveaway area, six lucky attendees walked away with HNA-branded RTIC coolers or StoneBench Systems seat backs. The RTIC Cooler winners were Devin Keiper, Kick Mowing and Landscaping LLC; Peter Scoville, McGuire Seasonal Services, Inc.; and Logan Moore, Lil Pros Mow and Snow. StoneBench Systems seat back winners included Andrew Jager, Sollos Landscaping & Lighting; Noah Seymour, The Standard Lawn & Landscaping; and Sarah Van Meeteresh, Jeff’s Lawncare.


HNA Sponsors

HNA is produced by the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) and is endorsed by the Brick Industry Association (BIA) and Natural Stone Institute (NSI). Platinum Sponsors: Belgard and Colmet; Gold Sponsors: iQ Power Tools and Nicolock Paving Stones & Retaining Walls; Silver Sponsor: Keystone Hardscapes.


HNA 2026

HNA 2026 will be held October 21-23 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Registration is already open – only $12.50 for a limited time.Visit HardscapeNA.com for information or to register. Details about education will be available in March and can be added to your registration at that time. For information: (888) 580-9960 or info@hardscapena.com

2025 HNA Awards Celebrate Excellence in Hardscaping: Winners and Honorable Mentions Announced

Winners were honored during the HNA Awards Ceremony in Louisville

LOUISVILLE,KY – October 24, 2025 – The annual Hardscape North America (HNA) Awards Ceremony returned to the Kentucky Exposition Center on October 23, 2025 to honor the year’s most outstanding residential and commercial hardscape projects. Contractors, producers, and designers from across North America were recognized for their creativity, craftsmanship, and contributions to advancing the industry.

This year’s competition drew an impressive 192 project submissions, highlighting excellence in walkways, patios, pool decks, outdoor living spaces, commercial plazas, streets, retaining walls, and more. Projects showcased a wide spectrum of materials, from concrete pavers, clay brick, and natural stone to porcelain, permeable pavers, and adhered thin veneers, while demonstrating the artistry and technical expertise that continue to elevate modern hardscaping.

“The HNA Awards shine a spotlight on the extraordinary talent and dedication within our industry,” said Robert Thomas, Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) President and CEO. “Each year we see projects that raise the bar in design, functionality, and installation quality. The 2025 winners are a testament to the passion and progress that define today’s hardscape professionals.”

The HNA Awards program is produced by the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) and endorsed by the Brick Industry Association (BIA) and the Natural Stone Institute (NSI). The 2025 event was proudly sponsored by iQ Power Tools, a leader in dustless, high-performance equipment for the construction industry.

Editors’ Note: View the winning project images

2025 HNA Awards Recipients:

Adhered Thin Veneers

Adhered Thin Veneers – Residential

  • Winner – Crafting Through Stonework – Cicero, IN
    • Contractor: Vive Exterior Design
    • Producer: Halquist
    • Designer: Ryan Coyle
  • Honorable Mention – Private Residence – Emerald Hills, CA
    • Contractor: Black Diamond Paver Stones & Landscape, Inc.
    • Producer: Eldorado Stone & Lyngso Garden Materials
    • Designer: Steve Turner

Vintage Installation

  • Winner – Founders Way Renovation – Greenville, NC
    • Contractor: Hudson Brothers Construction Company
    • Producer: Pine Hall Brick Company
    • Designer: ColeJenest & Stone
  • Honorable Mention – RidgeGate Commons – Lone Tree, Colorado
    • Contractor: Slaton Bros, Inc
    • Producer: Basalite Concrete Products

 Natural Stone Pavement

  • Winner – Helix Park at TMC 3 – Houston, TX
    • Contractor: Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd.
    • Producer: Cold Spring Granite
    • Designer: Mikyoung Kim Design
  • Honorable Mention – Industrial Elegance with Purpose – Indianapolis, IN
    • Contractor: Vive Exterior Design
    • Producer: Oakville Stone
    • Designer: Ryan Coyle

Outdoor Living Features

  • Winner – Best Outdoor Living – Valley, NE
    • Contractor: BCL Landscaping LLC
    • Producer: Unilock
    • Designer: Patrick Burkhart- Burkhart Consulting & Design
  • Honorable Mention – Ultimate Backyard Lancaster – Manheim, PA
    • Contractor: Willow Gates Home & Landscape
    • Producer: Techo-Bloc
    • Designer: Jeremy R. Martin

Clay Brick Pavement

Clay Brick Pavement – Residential

  • Winner – Tudor Terrace Retreat – Canton, OH
    • Contractor: Hippley Landscape
    • Producer: The Belden Brick Company
    • Designer: Hippley Landscape and Bradley Belden

Clay Brick Pavement – Commercial

  • Winner – Cedar Falls Downtown Streetscape and Reconstruction – Cedar Falls, IA
    • Contractor: Matthias Landscaping Company
    • Producer: The Belden Brick Company
    • Designer: Snyder & Associates
  • Honorable Mention – Dodge City Streetscapes – Dodge City, KS
    • Contractor: Heartstone Inc
    • Producer: The Belden Brick Company
    • Designer: LK Architecture

Porcelain Paver Pavement

Porcelain Paver Pavement – Commercial

  • Winner – Hyatt Scottsdale – Scottsdale, AZ
    • Contractor: European Pavers Southwest, Inc.
    • Producer: Belgard, Mirage
    • Designer: Renee Boyer

Porcelain Paver Pavement – Residential

  • Winner – GeoCeramica, LEE Building Products Turf, MagnumStone Wall – Bowling Green, KY
    • Contractor: GeoCeramica
    • Producer: GeoCeramica, Lee Building Products, MagnumStone
  • Winner – French Grey Pool – College Grove, TN
    • Contractor: Kingdom Pools
    • Producer: Mirage Granito Ceramico
    • Designer: Kingdom Pools
  • Honorable Mention – Richmond Pool – Richmond, VA
    • Contractor: Glen Allen Grounds Management
    • Producer: Daltile

Retaining Walls

Retaining Walls – Commercial

  • Winner – Little Round Top’s Infrastructure Upgrades – Gettysburg, PA
    • Contractor: Structural Engineering Group (SEG)
    • Producer: York Building Products
    • Designer: ELA Group
  • Honorable Mention – Eldorado Springs Apartments – Colorado Springs, CO
    • Contractor: Rousch Retaining Walls
    • Producer: Keystone Hardscapes
    • Designer: Rousch

Retaining Walls – Residential

  • Winner – Giordano Project – Pottstown, PA
    • Contractor: A Plus Landscaping
    • Producer: Techo-Bloc
    • Designer: Corey Dodd & Joe Esch
  • Winner – Medina Residence – Medina, OH
    • Contractor: Rock Bottom Lawn & Landscaping
    • Producer: Rosetta & Unilock
    • Designer: David Hemme
  • Honorable Mention – Niantic Dream Project – Niantic, CT
    • Contractor: Torrison Stone & Garden
    • Producer: New England Silica
    • Designer: Tyler Gerry

Segmental Concrete Pavement

Segmental Concrete Pavement – Permeable

  • Winner – Ultimate Backyard Lancaster – Manheim, PA
    • Contractor: Willow Gates Home & Landscape
    • Producer: Techo-Bloc
    • Designer: Jeremy R. Martin
  • Honorable Mention – Lakeside Living – Petersburg, IL
    • Contractor: Knob Hill Landscape Company
    • Producer: Techo-Bloc
    • Designer: Knob Hill Landscape Company Design Team

Segmental Concrete Pavement – Commercial (more than 15,000 sf)

  • Winner – North Central – Phoenix, AZ
    • Contractor: European Pavers Southwest, Inc.
    • Producer: Wausau Tile
    • Designer: Renee Boyer
  • Honorable Mention – Quarry Oaks Golf Club – Ashland, NE
    • Contractor: Linhart Construction
    • Producer: Belgard
    • Designer: Clark & Enersen & PHX Architecture

Segmental Concrete Pavement – Commercial (less than 15,000 sf)

  • Winner – Woodlands Plaza – The Woodlands, TX
    • Contractor: Paver Connection
    • Producer: Keystone Hardscapes
    • Designer: LJA Planning & Landscape Architecture
  • Honorable Mention – Canticle Gardens – Waukesha, WI
    • Contractor: Pro Hardscape and Lawn
    • Producer: Belgard
    • Designer: Jon Schultz

Segmental Concrete Pavement – Residential (less than 3,000 sf)

  • Winner – The Quarry – Clarksville, MD
    • Contractor: Absolute Landscapes
    • Producer: Techo-Bloc
    • Designer: Absolute Landscapes – Jackie Davis
  • Honorable Mention – Prairie View – River Falls, WI
    • Contractor: Earthworks Landscaping
    • Producer: County Materials Corporation
    • Designer: Earthworks Landscaping

Segmental Concrete Pavement – Residential (more than 3,000 sf)

  • Winner – Baddest Home Kansas Has Ever Seen – Shawnee, KS
    • Contractor: Green Lawn, Inc.
    • Producer: Unilock
    • Designer: Craig Hawkins and Corinna Fell Napolitan
  • Honorable Mention – Light It Up – St. George, UT
    • Contractor: TEAM Pavers
    • Producer: Belgard
    • Designer: Samuel Vianna

Combination of Hardscape Products

Combination of Hardscape Products– Commercial

  • Winner – Amphitheater at Camp Lutherlyn – Butler, PA
    • Contractor: Gargiulo Landscape
    • Producer: R.I. Lampus
    • Designer: Gargiulo Landscape
  • Honorable Mention – Heartwood Preserve – Omaha, NE
    • Contractor: Kasota Stone
    • Producer: Kasota Stone

 Combination of Hardscape Products – Residential (more than 3,000 sf)

  • Winner – Backyard Resort – Medina, OH
    • Contractor: Rock Bottom Lawn & Landscaping
    • Producer: Unilock
    • Designer: David Hemme
  • Honorable Mention – Muriel Lake – Muriel Lake, Ontario
    • Contractor: Gellers Design | Build | Landscape
    • Producer: Belgard
    • Designer: Caila Sveinson

 Combination of Hardscape Products – Residential (less than 3,000 sf)

  • Winner – Natural Materials Meet Modern Living – Zionsville, IN
    • Contractor: Vive Exterior Design
    • Producer: Unilock
    • Designer: Mike Broge
  • Honorable Mention – Luxurious Grandeur – Elmhurst, IL
    • Contractor: Premier Outdoor Environments
    • Producer: Pennsylvania Bluestone and Eden Natural Veneer Stone
    • Designer: Jordan Smith

Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners and honorees for setting new standards of excellence in hardscaping! Stay tuned for more details on how to enter your work in the 2026 HNA Awards.

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About Hardscape North America

Hardscape North America (HNA) is THE hardscape show for contractors and dealers/distributors. Its focus is to bring top-notch education including certification courses, products and technology to contractors and installers who build segmental pavements and retaining walls and to provide networking opportunities. HNA features indoor and outdoor exhibits displaying state-of-the-art tools and products and trade show floor demonstrations and offers the latest technology for contractors. To learn more about HNA, visit HardscapeNA.com or call (888) 580-9960. The show is produced by the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association and co-located with Equip Exposition.

About CMHA
The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) is the authority for segmental concrete products and systems, which are the best value and preferred choice for resilient pavement, structures, and living spaces. CMHA promotes the acceptance and use of segmental concrete products and systems in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit MasonryAndHardscapes.org.

Press Contact: Kristen Garman, kgarman@masonryandhardscapes.org