More than 2,300 industry professionals attended the 2009 Hardscape North America (HNA) trade show held Jan. 14-17 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Ga.
The event featured large outdoor and indoor exhibit areas filled educational sessions, hands-on courses and product installation demonstrations. It also provided contractors the opportunity to network with manufacturers and suppliers of hardscape products, construction equipment, vehicles and services.
Additionally, more than 120 exhibitors displayed state-of-the-art products, tools and equipment. This year's expanded outdoor exhibit area allowed contractors to try tools and equipment as well as exhibitors to showcase their equipment in typical site conditions. The outdoor demonstrations included low-voltage lighting and permeable interlocking concrete pavement installations. In the indoor area raised patio, paver installation, step construction and outdoor kitchen construction installations were the featured demonstrations.
"HNA is the single hardscape show for successful hardscape contractors and their employees," said program committee chairman Chuck Beckman, vice president of sales and marketing for Site Technologies. "During tough economic times, hardscape contractors with the best training, knowledge and management practices will not only survive, but prosper while contractors too busy to continue their education and training will certainly struggle."