Training, Demonstrations Solidify Nashville Agenda

Organizers of the 2008 Hardscape North America (HNA) have added indoor and outdoor project installation demonstrations along with new training sessions

Organizers of the 2008 Hardscape North America (HNA) have added indoor and outdoor project installation demonstrations along with new training sessions for contractors and unit masonry installers. Scheduled for Feb. 27-March 1 at the Nashville Convention Center, the event is produced by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) and endorsed by the Brick Industry Association, National Concrete Masonry Association and North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association.

Featured indoor demonstrations will include raised patio installation, paver installation, step construction and outdoor kitchen construction. The raised patio demonstration will show attendees proper installation techniques and tool selection, plus compaction and drainage measures. Featuring ICPI’s top certification instructors, the paver installation demonstration will show attendees the proper site techniques, sharing knowledge and expertise on installing pavers. The step construction demonstration will feature industry leading instructors showing proper techniques, tools and equipment needed for successful installations. During the outdoor kitchen construction demonstration, leading hardscape installation experts will explain the step-by-step approach needed in this rapid-growth project category.

Outdoor demonstrations include the low voltage lighting and permeable interlocking concrete pavement installation. The lighting demonstration will feature product experts showing attendees how to tackle residential and commercial applications; installation techniques will include what electrical requirements may be needed for different jobs and proper base installation. Permeable interlocking concrete pavement, HNA organizers note, is growing in popularity due to more cities and municipalities looking for sustainable ways to manage storm water and run off. At the show demonstration, industry leading experts will explain how to correctly install a permeable interlocking concrete units and the difference between this pavement type and the typical interlocking concrete pavements.

HNA 2008 will include a larger indoor trade show floor compared to the 2007 event, as well as outdoor exhibits featuring new products and equipment that attendees can see and try in field like settings. To support HNA and the growth of the North American hardscape industry, several sponsorship levels are available for the 2008 staging. Sponsors at the Platinum level are Belgard, Hanson Paver Products, Pathfinder Systems, Pavestone Co., Pave Tech, Pine Hall Brick, Snap Edge Corporation, Surebond, SRW Products, Techni-Seal and Unilock. Gold sponsors include Hess Machinery, Oaks Concrete Products, Paver Systems/Oldcastle, and, Teka North America. Alliance Designer Products, Belden Brick Co., Big Rock Building Products, CTI Inc., Endicott Clay Products, Kobra Molds, LLC; Sebastian Mueller AG and Whitacre-Greer are Silver level sponsors.
Û www.HardscapeNA.com