Sources: National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.; CP staff

During a recent two-day session in Chicago, NCMA and Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute representatives discussed how their groups could jointly promote paving stones and segmental retaining wall units, and support development of hardscape unit contractors/installers. Noting a successful open dialogue, both groups acknowledged the facilitated session as a first step in pinpointing the best methods for advancing hardscape markets; coordinating member or customer meetings and events; and, serving the interests of member companies, a number of which are affiliated with NCMA and ICPI.

The early-June meeting followed the February debut of NCMA’s International Concrete Exposition in Indianapolis, where ICPI served as a sponsoring organization and staged its 2009 convention. ICPI has recently parlayed its own annual gathering, Hardscape North America, geared for producers and contractors.