Hardscape North America is produced by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) and endorsed by the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) and the Brick Industry Association (BIA). It is co-located with the Green Industry Equipment Expo. Combined, nearly 18,000 participants were expected this year along with 750 exhibiting companies.

The Deco Dogs, a team representing Decorative Paving from Loveland, Ohio, claimed the $1,000 first prize and an iQ360 14-inch masonry saw plus accessories at the maiden bout for the HNA Installer Championship, which took place Oct. 24 and 25 in Louisville, Ky., at the industry's largest tradeshow for hardscape contractors and distributors/dealers.

The event pitted 8 teams from the U.S. and Canada in a race against the clock as they demonstrated industry best practices, safety, quality and craftsmanship.

The competition had 3 rounds during which each team of two crewmembers and an optional crew alternative was required to work with the provided clay pavers, concrete pavers and wall blocks in a prescribed area, and according to prescribed design details.

In the preliminary round, the teams had to construct an eight-foot by 10-foot patio that included a soldier course and an L-shaped seat wall within 60 minutes.

For the semi-finals, each team was asked to construct an eight-foot by eight-foot patio area that included a seat wall and an inlay of their own design, again within 60 minutes.

During the final round, each team had 90 minutes to construct a patio based on their own design using all three materials provided.

The competition was restricted to hardscape contractors. Each team member had to be a professional installer of segmental retaining wall, and clay or concrete pavers. Cooper Pavers from Mannington, N.J., was the runner-up and received $400 and an iQ360 14-inch masonry saw plus accessories.