Your guide to the biggest events at HNA 2026

By Emma Peterson.

From Mike Holmes' keynote and the National Installer Championship to industry celebrations and Louisville nightlife, HNA 2026 delivers far more than education and exhibits.

This October 21-23, Hardscape North America (HNA) is coming to Louisville, Kentucky! Co-located with the Equip Expo, this show is a can’t miss event for hardscape and landscape professionals. Some of the highlights of the show include targeted education and an expansive trade show floor full of the new products, live demos and latest innovations.

And if the 30+ education sessions and 220+ exhibitors aren’t enough to keep you busy at this year’s show, they also have a variety of events planned! These events are designed to help the over 29,000 hardscape, landscape and industry professionals network, learn and celebrate together. Here’s what you can expect from the week.

Tuesday, October 20

The party gets started the night before the actual HNA show begins with a welcome reception at the Churchill Downs! Sponsored by CAT, the legendary home of the Kentucky Derby will be hosting HNA and Equip attendees and exhibitors for an unforgettable night of networking and fun that starts at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 21

Get your blood pumping for this year's show with the fifth-annual Mulligan’s 5K Fun Run and Walk on Wednesday morning (race begins at 6:30 a.m.). Not only is this a great way to enter the week feeling energized; it also gives you a chance to see Louisville a bit with the route taking participants across the Ohio River on Louisville’s Big Four Pedestrian Bridge.

After you shower off the morning run, make sure to be ready to kick off the day with a 10 a.m. free session featuring Caleb and Brittany Auman! The Aumans own a digital design company and in this session will be sharing how getting clear on their numbers and building better systems helped them grow their company by more than 30%. From there, it’s time to attend the 11 a.m. show keynote! This keynote is presented by GTV star and veteran contractor Mike Holmes and promises to provide attendees with real-world insights into raising standards and demanding quality in our work. And if you still have energy after attending these events, the Propane Education & Research Council is sponsoring an afterparty! The event, Downtown Louisville’s 4th Street Live!, will start at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 22

Need a mid-show pick me up? Make sure to check out Mulligan’s Mutt Madness at 11 a.m. on Thursday! Through a partnership with the Kentucky Humane Society, attendees can meet (and even adopt!) some new furry friends. This is also a great opportunity to learn about TurfMutt, which is a program that showcases the value of family yards and managed green spaces.

Once you’ve gotten your puppy time in, make sure to mark your schedule for the following Thursday events:

• HNA Awards – Celebrate outstanding hardscape projects installed by your colleagues and peers at this ceremony! Running from 1:15 – 2:30 p.m., the award winners and honorable mentions will not only be honored here, but also be featured on HNA’s website and several other industry publications
• Women’s Leadership Reception – For the women making waves in the industry, the 4 p.m. Women’s Leadership event is a must-attend. With special guest Susan Packard (co-creator of HGTV, CNBC and Food Network), this evening promises to be an inspiring and uplifting night of relationship building.
• Paristown Block Party & Concert – And the party keeps going Thursday night with a block party in Old Forester’s Paristown Hall! With live performances, local eats and an exclusive tasting of official show bourbon, you won’t want to miss this!

Friday, October 23

And, as the show winds down, make sure to catch the 2026 National Installer Championship Final! Hosted in the Hardscape House during trade show hours, this contest began with 12 teams who competed in preliminary rounds on Thursday, October 22 from 10:30 am – 4:30 pm.

For the 10:30 a.m. Friday final, the four finalist teams will compete in a 90-minute challenge that tests their skill, dedication and passion. And for the winners, they will take home “home cash, prizes and bragging rights for the next 364 days!”

Learn more about these events and make sure you are registered for the 2026 HNA show!