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Design Lab is a focused, in-person event built to sharpen your hardscape design skills and decision-making. You’ll learn real-world design tips and tricks, get direct advice from industry-leading designers, and walk away with practical knowledge you can apply immediately in your business.

From layouts and details to materials and current design trends, Design Lab is built to help you create better designs, win better projects, and stay ahead of where hardscaping is headed.

Buy Your Tickets

Sean Collinsgru

Dan Preston

Crux Lon

Greg Crouse

Craig Daniels

Creative by Nature

This event is proudly presented by SEK Surebond, our title sponsor and a trusted leader in hardscape installation products.

 

WHO:

This exclusive event brings together hardscaping professionals for a full day of strategy, education, and networking, featuring presentations from industry leaders:

  • Sean Collinsgru of Premier Outdoor Living
  • Dan Preston of Hardscape Mentor
  • Crux Lon of Crux Lon Hardscape University 
  • Greg Crouse of SEK Surebond
  • Craig Daniels of Prolific Design
  • Jonathan Meas & Dan Conner of Creative by Nature

You’ll learn how better design decisions lead to smoother builds, stronger proposals, and more confident conversations with clients.

 

In this quick podcast, Dan Preston and Luke Parmeter explain what Design Lab covers and why it’s designed to move your business forward.

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Register Now!

 

WHEN

Friday, March 6, 2026

 

Daytime Event

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Full day of presentations, strategy, and networking. Lunch provided.

 

Evening Reception

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and networking
Location to be announced.

 

WHERE

Hardscape Mentor Studios
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

 

LODGING

We have a block of rooms reserved at Hotel Mead in Wisconsin Rapids. Mention THE HERD when booking.

Staying at Hotel Mead is not required, but it is where we’ll meet Friday morning for bus transportation to and from Hardscape Mentor Studios. The evening reception will be held at a nearby local venue. Final details will be shared with registered attendees.

For a full list of recommended lodging and travel options in the area, click here.

 

 

TRANSPORTATION & SCHEDULE DETAILS

  • 8:00 AM — Meet at Hotel Mead for bus transportation

  • We’ll travel together to Hardscape Mentor Studios, head off-site for lunch, and return to the hotel at approximately 4:00 PM

  • 6:00 - 9:00 PM — Evening Reception. Location to be announced.

     

 

HOW:

  • Cost: $497 per ticket

    Availability: First come, first served. Space is limited — once spots are filled, registration will close.

Register Now!

On the Fence About Attending?

These are unfiltered thoughts from contractors who showed up to our last in-person event.

Austin Ryan

"Being here in person, talking with people, seeing things up close, that’s where the value is. You can ask any question here and nobody judges you. People are transparent and actually want to help."

Hunter Goodnight

"I would recommend these events to anyone who wants to take their hardscape business to the next level. The studio is amazing from the layout to design."

Ian Leger

"Being around all these guys, this network, it’s priceless. Everyone wants to see you succeed. With this group around me, I feel like I literally can’t fall."

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