The 2023 Hardscape North America (HNA) Conference was a milestone celebration, marking 25 years of bringing industry professionals together and fostering connections. Hosted annually in Louisville, Kentucky, HNA is a great time for industry professionals to get together to introduce new products and initiatives, and Belgard was proud to be a sponsor again this year.
See Belgard’s highlight video below and continue reading for more from behind the scenes of the hardscape industry’s top show of the year.
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Showcasing the Oldcastle APG Family of Brands
HNA 2023 kicked off on October 18, where Belgard introduced the new Oldcastle APG booth, which is strategically designed to cater to the needs and interests of both outdoor professionals and customers. The indoor booth highlighted both Belgard and the Oldcastle APG family of brands. The booth also introduced Oldcastle’s Live Well Outside philosophy that drives home the benefits of being outdoors.
Belgard also introduced the new Papyrus paver, which was a big hit among booth visitors! Joe Raboine, VP of Design for Belgard, and several other industry leaders also hosted educational sessions in the Pro Solutions Center, aimed to help hardscape professionals in their growth and development.
Day 2 of HNA 2023 boosted the atmosphere as groundbreaking technology stole the limelight. A collaborative effort between Belgard, Pave Tool, and Optimus showcased state-of-the-art tools employing advanced vacuum technology in Belgard’s outdoor booth. These ‘back-saving’ tools revolutionize heavy lifting, making it effortless for both single and double-person operations. The advancements showcased innovation and addressed the physical strain associated with hardscaping, ultimately saving time and resources on job sites. Check it out in the video below.
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The HNA Installer Championship
One of my favorite events during HNA is the Installer Championship, a highly anticipated competition in which teams show off their installation skills. HNA 2023 witnessed an impressive turnout from Belgard, with more than half of the participating teams proudly representing Belgard Authorized Contractors.
Among a roster of skilled and determined teams, two exceptional Belgard teams emerged triumphant landing in the top 3: Mike Darling Contruction, who took second place, with Epic Pavers Inc. taking third. Their exceptional teamwork, meticulous planning, and adept delegation during the completion of two advanced paver pads solidified their positions as industry leaders.
The HNA Installer Championship brings together the best of the best to showcase their skills. 
Teams compete at the HNA 2023 Installer Championship 
One of the team members hard at work during the HNA Installer Championship! 
During the championship, teams must construct their project in the allotted amount of time and are evaluated on a variety of criteria. 
These professional teams represent the best in the hardscape industry at HNA. 
This year’s challenge required teams to construct a full concrete paver pad. 
Teams in the HNA Installer Championship are vying for a prize package worth several thousand dollars. So precision is key! 
These skilled teams work tirelessly for the chance to place in the HNA Installer Championship. 
Belgard Authorized Contractor Mike Darling Construction takes second place. 
Belgard Authorized Contractor Epic Pavers earns third place.
As the curtains drew on the 2023 competition, the industry is already abuzz with anticipation for the upcoming year. The promise of continued education and the prospect of witnessing the return of winning teams only add to the excitement surrounding the 2024 HNA event.
The HNA 2023 Awards
In addition to the HNA Installer Championship, the HNA Awards are an exciting time to celebrate the achievements of outdoor professionals.
Belgard and Oldcastle APG are proud to have received 11 recognitions during the HNA 2023 Awards ceremony. Belgard and Oldcastle APG received wins for projects in the following categories:
- Concrete paver – residential
- Concrete paver – commercial
- Concrete paver – permeable
- Combination of hardscape products – residential
- Combination of hardscape products – commercial
- Porcelain – commercial
- Outdoor living features
In addition to the winning categories, Belgard and Oldcastle APG also received several honorable mentions:
- Concrete paver – commercial
- Combination of hardscape products – residential
- Porcelain – residential
- Porcelain – commercial
Check out the gallery of winning projects below!
Mica View Winner – Outdoor Living Features Category Mica View – Spokane, WA Contractor: Elevated Concepts Producer: Belgard Designer: Elevated Concepts 
Winner – Porcelain Paver Category – Commercial Morgan Post North Rooftop – New York, NY Contractor: Let It Grow Producer: Belgard Porcelain by Mirage Designer: HMWhite 
Honorable Mention – Porcelain Paver Category – Commercial Imagine Clearwater – Splash Pad – Clearwater, FL Contractor: Brightview Producer: Belgard Porcelain Designer: Stantec 
Honorable Mention – Porcelain Paver Category – Residential Vegas Oasis – Las Vegas, NV Contractor: Richard Lusk Construction Producer: Mirage Designer: Richard Lusk Construction 
Winner – Concrete Paver Category – Residential (size more than 3,000 sf) Hardscape Haven – Virginia Beach, VA Contractor: Solid Structures Producer: Belgard Designer: Scott Prunty 
Winner – Concrete Paver Category – Permeable Winter Park Library – Winter Park, FL Contractor: PaverScape Producer: Belgard – Eco Holland Permeable Paver Designer: LandDesign 
Winner – Concrete Paver Category – Commercial (size more than 15,000 sf) Par 3 Golf Course At the Sandhill Crane Golf Club – Palm Beach Gardens, FL Contractor: The Decorative Surfacing Group Producer: Oldcastle Designer: Cotleur Hearing 
Honorable Mention – Concrete Paver Category – Commercial (size more than 15,000 sf) Harrison Ave Phase 1 – Panama City, FL Contractor: Prestige Pavers of Bay County Producer: Belgard Designer: Jessica Bloomfield – Metric Engineering Inc 
Winner – Combination of Hardscape Products Category – Residential (size less than 4,000 sf) Telgenhoff – Menomonee Falls, WI Contractor: Wirth Services Producer: Belgard Designer: Jon Schultz 
Honorable Mention – Combination of Hardscape Products Category – Residential (size less than 4,000 sf) My Old Kentucky Oasis – Lexington, KY Contractor: Redmond’s Garden Center & Landscaping Producer: Belgard/GMS an Oldcastle Company Designer: Redmond’s Garden Center & Landscaping 
Winner – Combination of Hardscape Products Category – Commercial Texas A&M Commerce Lakeside Pavilion – Commerce, TX Contractor: Red River Outdoor Living Producer: Jewell Concrete Designer: Ross Moore / Bradley Morrison 
Winner – Clay Brick Category– Commercial University of Tampa Ars Sonora – Tampa, FL Contractor: Standard Brick Pavers, LLC Producer: Old Castle Coastal Coloroc Designer: TVS Florida, Inc., Architecture
Why You Should Attend HNA 2024
HNA is a great platform for networking and learning but also is a testament to the continuous evolution and innovation within the hardscaping industry. HNA continues to be an event of progress and inspiration for professionals and enthusiasts alike, driving the industry forward with each passing year.
We hope to see you there next year so you can see what Belgard and Oldcastle APG have in store!
