2025 EDUCATION CLASSES
Wednesday March 19 – Area A
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Title: Hardscaping and Running Your Company
Speaker: Michael Tous
Description: TBD
Presented In Spanish
Bio: Michael Tous is a bilingual instructor of hardscape techniques and good landscape business guidelines. He is co-owner of Grass Masters, a complete landscape, hardscape, and lawn maintenance company. He has ICPI and NECMA certifications in paver and segmental retaining wall construction.
Who should attend: Landscape, hardscape, and lawn maintenance crews, company leaders, and owners.
Time: 11:00 AM -12:00 PM
Title: Basic Base Installation Options
Speaker: Greg Ambrose
Description: It all starts with the right base. Greg will present the benefits of open-graded, dense-grade, permeable and flow-able fill bases.
Presented in English and Spanish.
Bio: Greg Ambrose founded Fairlawn Consulting Co. in 2007 to enhance hardscaping techniques throughout the industry. He has certified over 3,000 installers of pavers and segmental retaining walls as a CMHA instructor and has taught in 27 states and Canada. Greg began in the industry in 1984 as a hardscape contractor in the Cleveland, Ohio area.
Who should attend: Company owners, foremen, estimators, and designers.
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Title: 2025 Trends: Designing Small Outdoor Living Spaces
Speaker: Joe Raboine
Description:With average new home lots shrinking to just 7,000 SF in many markets—half the size of yesteryear—outdoor living design must adapt. In this session, Joe Raboine explores how to maximize any outdoor footprint, from backyards to side and front yards. Learn innovative tips to create beautiful, functional spaces that redefine outdoor living. Discover how smaller lots can inspire creativity, proving that outdoor living can thrive anywhere when we rethink what’s possible.
Presented in English
Who should attend: Company owners, architects, crew leaders, estimators, and crew members.
Bio: Joseph Raboine is vice president design for Old Castle APG. He has been a hardscape contractor and a hardscape, outdoor component manufacturer, in his current position Joe is passionate about helping others create outdoor living spaces utilizing efficient designs and processes.
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Title: Raised patio construction” Be prepared for your next raised project
Speaker: Greg Ambrose
Description: Elements of this class include the proper base, materials and design.
Presented in English and Spanish
Bio: Greg Ambrose founded Fairlawn Consulting Co. in 2007 to enhance hardscaping techniques throughout the industry. He has certified over 3,000 installers of pavers and segmental retaining walls as a CMHA instructor and has taught in 27 states and Canada. Greg began in the industry in 1984 as a hardscape contractor in the Cleveland, Ohio area.
Who should attend: Crew members, designers, company owners, estimators and team leaders.
Wednesday March 19 – Area B
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Speaker: Corey Halstead
Title: AI in Action: Game-Changing Workflows for Hardscape Contractors
Description:
Explore how Generative AI technologies, including ChatGPT, can transform your hardscape business. Uncover practical applications to optimize your operations, supercharge your marketing, and elevate customer service. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to deepen its impact in your outdoor living business, this session is packed with actionable insights tailored for hardscape professionals.
Key Takeaways:
- Customer Service Reimagined: Improve response times, personalize client interactions, and deliver exceptional service with AI tools.
- Operational Efficiency: Automate repetitive tasks, optimize workflows, and free up time for what matters most.
- Marketing Amplified: Leverage AI to streamline in-house marketing efforts, create impactful content, and get more done in less time.
Bio: With over 25 years of landscape industry experience fueling every educational session, Corey shares insights and proven strategies garnered from his extensive marketing work with industry leading contractors, dealers, and manufacturers. His content is regularly featured by leading organizations, brands, and events such as NALP, ICPI, HNA, Unilock, SynkedUp, Buildertrend, CallRail, iLandscape, Ohio Landscape Association, and GIE+ Expo.
Presented in English.
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Speaker: Corey Halstead
Title: Mastering Social Media: The Proven Playbook for Hardscape Pros
Description: Get the Most out of your social media efforts. Promote effectively and secure more jobs and even secure new employees.
Bio: With over 25 years of landscape industry experience fueling every educational session, Corey shares insights and proven strategies garnered from his extensive marketing work with industry leading contractors, dealers, and manufacturers. His content is regularly featured by leading organizations, brands, and events such as NALP, ICPI, HNA, Unilock, SynkedUp, Buildertrend, CallRail, iLandscape, Ohio Landscape Association, and GIE+ Expo.
Thursday, March 20
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Speaker: Greg Ambrose
Title: Construction Details Every Contractor Needs to Get Right On Every project
Description: If you make your clients beam with ownership pride, they will be salesmen for your company with their friends and family.
Who should attend: Company owners, installation crew members, foremen, designers and estimators.
Bio: Greg Ambrose founded Fairlawn Consulting Co. in 2007 to enhance hardscaping techniques throughout the industry. He has certified over 3,000 installers of pavers and segmental retaining walls as a CMHA instructor and has taught in 27 states and Canada. Greg began in the industry in 1984 as a hardscape contractor in the Cleveland, Ohio area.