ICPI and Hardscape North America Add New Dimension To GIE+EXPO 2010

Louisville, KY, USA – America’s 14th largest trade show, GIE+EXPO, has announced the co-location of Hardscape North America (HNA) to Louisville in 2010 to coincide with GIE+EXPO, October 28th – 30th. The new addition will not only offer new education and business growth opportunities to the thousands of lawn and landscape professionals that attend the GIE+EXPO, but also new attractions for over 2,400 design-build contractors, architects and engineers that regularly attend Hardscape North America annually.

Hardscape North America, sponsored by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), is the hardscape industry’s premiere event for those who manufacture, specify and install segmental pavement systems, segmental retaining walls, water features, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces landscape environments for residential and commercial applications.

“Having the addition of HNA at GIE+EXPO next year literally adds a number of new dimensions to the show”, states Warren Sellers, GIE+EXPO Show Director. “HNA will bring thousands of new attendees to Louisville from their own show with the buying power for on-the-job equipment as well as exposure to all of the educational opportunities that will be available throughout show week.”

The combination of the green industry, power equipment and permeable concrete pavers all together in one place exemplifies the movement towards integration of softscapes and hardscapes in sustainable environmental designs.

Ed Fioroni, ICPI Chairman recognizes the benefits of bringing their show to GIE+EXPO. “It’s a great marriage for attracting new contractors, landscape designers and irrigation professionals to our show while providing our attendees with all there is to see on the equipment side. Today we see our industry expanding beyond residential into much larger projects for cities and greener environments and this is the perfect venue for providing the latest tools and training needed to help contractors grow.”

HNA will be offering valuable certification, certificate and hands-on educational sessions for hardscape and landscape professionals two days before the start of GIE+EXPO covering topics ranging from segmental retaining wall installation to permeable interlocking concrete pavement construction. “We’re looking forward to helping the landscapers learn the proper installation guidelines to take advantage of all that the combined shows have to offer”, adds Bill Schnieder, President of Advanced Pavement Technology. “Here they see the tools they need while learning from in-depth sessions as well as seeing hands-on installations in progress at the outdoor demonstration area.

“As an HNA exhibitor, we are looking forward to being in Louisville”, says Craig Willike, general manager of Pavestone®. “It’s an exciting destination for the contractors we want to see at the show and it’s easy to get to from a multi-state area.”