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3 min read

Hardscape North America Education Gives Participants the Competitive Edge

New Presenters, Expanded Content & How-To Demos Make HNA a One-Stop Resource

Louisville, Kentucky, (June 11, 2024)—From interactive demos to business-boosting classroom sessions, Hardscape North America has the real-world content hardscapers and landscapers need to increase sales and build their profits. Owners looking for new ways to market, crew members who want to up their installation game and dealers who want to close more sales will all find take-home value. 

HNA 2024 is set for October 16-18 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Education will begin on Tuesday, October 15 with the Pre-Show Installer Courses taking place at the Hyatt Regency Louisville Downtown,  with exhibits and events continuing at the expo center through Friday.

“This show always has solutions to improve my business, from education sessions to new products or equipment that you can see in person and try,” said Zack Rulli with Dirt and Stone Landscaping in Newington, Conneticut.

Educational content at Hardscape North America

 New Expert Presenters

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from seven new-to-HNA speakers. Their expertise ranges from marketing and social media to hardscape installation.

  • Ken Love, Best Practices and Requirements for Installing a Gas Fire Feature in SRW
  • Kyle Baughman, Social Scapes – Leverage Social Media to Grow Your Business
  • Jim Scocozza, Operating a Successful Clean & Seal Business. Understanding the Misconceptions.
  • Donald Harvey, Sand Set Paver Innovations at the 16th Street Mall in Denver
  • Vanessa McQuade & Robert Murray, 5 Mistakes Landscape Entrepreneurs Are Making in Their Marketing (& What to do about it in 2025)
  • Phil Bahler, Walk on the Block That I Stumbled On

Education Highlights

A new Hardscapes Construction Roundtable will showcase discussions led by industry experts on topics crucial to hardscaping contractors. “This session is not only a valuable learning experience but will give participants the opportunity to connect with and learn from fellow contractors nationwide,” said Bryan Horr, CMHA’s Division Engineer, Segmental Pavements, who will moderate the discussion.

Education Session at Hardscape North America

Contractors who arrive on Tuesday, October 15th can take advantage of a new Pre-show Installer Course on Manufactured Stone Veneer. Participants will gain an understanding of the relevant building code requirements and ASTM standards while learning installation best practices for MSV.

Demonstrations at Hardscape North America.

The session on marketing by McQuade and Murray will use industry-specific examples and data to show hardscape and landscape business owners how they can make small changes to their marketing efforts today and major changes over time to have greater returns on their investments and grow their businesses.

A session about estimating has been expanded to two hours to give participants more in-depth insights on strategies that can maximize your profits. Subject matter expert Donny Duke, Arborgold, brings 40 years of experience as a landscape and hardscape contractor to this session.

The Hardscape Demos are back by popular demand with hands-on how-to sessions about the latest techniques, including software tools to design and visualize hardscape projects in real time to help maximize your profits and image. The team will lead these demos from Local Roots Landscaping.

The VIP Pass Offers More Value than Ever

Attendees find great value in the all-inclusive VIP Pass. Dan Braccio with Inside Out Landscape Design brought his team from Frankfort, Kentucky, and the passes proved beneficial because they were able to attend a wide variety of education and share knowledge. 

“We got VIP passes and could bounce around picking and choosing which event and vendors meant most to us!  We divided and conquered to get the most out of our experience,” said Braccio. “This is the place to be regarding the green industry!  You have to prepare and pace yourself when you attend this show. It is easy to get overwhelmed with knowledge under one roof!”

The VIP Pass includes 15 education sessions, 6 hardscape demos, and 2 hardscape workshops. With a $2,000 value, the cost for the VIP Pass is only $249 or $209 for CMHA/BIA/NSI members. 

See the entire schedule of HNA education at hardscapena.com/education-demos.  

Demos at Hardscape North America

Register Early & Save

The earlier you register the more you’ll save. Hardscape contractors and dealers, landscape professionals, design professionals, and industry students and professors can register at HardscapeNA.com for the $30 standard rate through September 6.* For more information, call (888) 580-9960 or visit HardscapeNA.com

HNA is produced by the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) and is endorsed by the Brick Industry Association and Natural Stone Institute. Platinum Sponsors: Belgard Hardscapes and Colmet. Gold Sponsor: Keystone Hardscapes. Silver Sponsor: Prosoco.

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


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 tradeshow floor demonstrations and offers the latest technology for contractors. To learn more about HNA, visit HardscapeNA.com or call (888) 580-9960.


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

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