New this year at Hardscape North America, the first HNA Installer Championship will test and recognize the skills, dedication and passion of hardscape contractors from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Up to 12 teams will be tested on their application of industry best practices, safety, quality and craftsmanship in a race against the clock and other top installers.

Hardscape North America Installer Championship open for registration

New this year at Hardscape North America, the first HNA Installer Championship will test and recognize the skills, dedication and passion of hardscape contractors from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Up to 12 teams will be tested on their application of industry best practices, safety, quality and craftsmanship in a race against the clock and other top installers. The HNA Installer Championship will be held Oct. 24-25 in Louisville, Ky., during Hardscape North America, the industry’s largest tradeshow for hardscape contractors and distributors/dealers. 


The teams will compete for $1,000 for the champion and $400 for the runner up, the HNA Installer Championship Cup of the Year, bragging rights, free tools and tons of free PR, including recognition on the Hardscape North America and ICPI websites and certain industry publications. This HNA Installer Championship will determine the best of the best in the hardscape industry!


Fred Adams, Jr., chair of the HNA Steering Special Committee and president of Fred Adams Paving Company, commented, “Other industries have championships; now it’s time to spotlight skilled segmental concrete and clay installers. This event promises to be a very exciting addition to our industry’s top tradeshow.”


 


Eligibility


The championship is restricted to hardscape contractors. Each team member must be employed in the hardscape industry in North America as a professional installer of segmental retaining wall, and clay or concrete pavers. This championship is not for amateurs or do-it-yourselfers! 


Each team must have two crew members and may choose to register not more than one crew alternate.  The team will be required to attend a pre-event meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 4:00 p.m. at the Kentucky Exposition Center.  


 


Entry Requirements


The championship is limited to the first 12 teams to submit a complete registration. Each team member, including any alternates, must be registered to attend the Hardscape North America tradeshow. Registrations can be completed online at www.HardscapeNA.com. In addition, one of the team members must pay the $200 HNA Installer Championship registration fee, which will be listed as an optional item during the online registration process. Each team must also provide proof of their general liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage for each team member, complete the team registration form and have it signed by each team member. These documents need to be submitted by fax to (703) 657-6901 or scanned and emailed to lgarcia@icpi.org.


Registration is not complete until 1) all team members are registered to attend HNA, 2) the Installer Championship fee is paid and 3) the completed and signed team registration form is received by ICPI. To register visit www.HardscapeNA.com.


 


Materials and Tools


All materials to be used in the construction will be provided. Only materials provided by the event organizers and placed in the team’s designated area may be used in the construction. Teams cannot supply their own materials. Each team is expected to bring their own small hand tools and personal safety equipment (team will be disqualified if safety equipment is not used). The following larger tools will be supplied for use during the championship: Weber CR3 vibratory plate compactor, iQ320 14″ masonry chop saw with integrated dust collection, long-handled round shovel and long-handled lute rake.


 


Format over Two Days


During each round, a team will be given 60 minutes to complete their construction in the designated construction area, according to the design details of the 15 x 10 foot area provided at the beginning of the competition. Three teams will compete during each round. Each team will be judged on their installation technique and final product. The team with the highest score in each round will advance to the next level.


The preliminaries will have up to 12 teams competing in four rounds. Judging of the preliminaries will be based on technique, compliance with ICPI guidelines and delivering the specified design. Each team with the highest score from each round will automatically advance to the semi-finals. Additionally, the two teams with the highest scores from all the preliminary rounds, which did not automatically advance to the semi-finals, will advance to the semi-finals as wild-card selections.


The semi-finals will have six teams competing in two rounds. Judging of the semi-finals will be based on technique, compliance with ICPI guidelines and delivering the required elements. Each team with the highest score from each round will automatically advance to the finals. Additionally, the team with the highest score from the semi-final rounds, which did not automatically advance to the finals, will advance to the finals as the wild-card selection.


During the final round, the team with the highest score will be declared “champion”, and the team with the next highest score will be declared “runner up”. Judging of the finals will be based on technique, compliance with ICPI guidelines and delivering a creative design. The awards presentation will be Oct. 25 at 3:30 p.m. outdoors in the Hardscape Installer Championship area.


 


To register for the tradeshow and find details about the Installer Championship and other events, go to www.HardscapeNA.com.