On October 3rd we celebrated Belgard’s 10th Annual Belgard HARDSCAPE HERO of the Year award ceremony at the historic Main Street Station in Richmond, Virginia

When it comes to a partnership, the most important thing is trust. That’s why we’ve spent the last ten years building a program based on community, mutual respect and a shared experience to create a bond of trust with the finest outdoor living professionals in the business. 

The HARDSCAPE HERO Program was designed to celebrate the outstanding work of Belgard’s contractor partners. Every month hardscape professionals submit their most impressive projects for a chance to win awards, promotion and the prestige of being a HARDSCAPE HERO. In the fall of each year we gather all of the monthly winners to celebrate their achievements and crown a HARDSCAPE HERO of the Year. This year we celebrated a decade of the program and ten years of trust and comradery woven between contractors who build one another up through sharing knowledge, inspiration and a love for creating the finest outdoor spaces in the Mid-Atlantic. 

Because this year’s event was such a landmark occasion, we decided to change up the festivities to show our HEROES how much their dedication and partnership mean to us. While we normally begin the day with the Clay Classic, letting the winners take part in some clay pigeon shooting, we went for a different kind of friendly competition. This year marked the first annual Diamond Derby sponsored by Techniseal. The HEROES gathered at The Diamond baseball field, home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, for hotdogs, cold drinks and a spirited game of kickball. After a schoolyard pick the two teams took to the field while two comedians from the Richmond Coalition Theater called the game. Bases were run, pop flies were caught and laughter filled the unseasonally warm October air. After two games and a handful of grass stains, the HEROES returned to their hotel rooms to relax and get ready for the evening’s festivities.

With this year being such a momentous occasion, we decided to move the venue from the historic Altria Theater to Richmond’s historic Main Street Station. Happy hour commenced as trains rolled past the active train stop and the air was electric. The HEROES arrived with fanfare to the sounds of a live jazz band and enjoyed an oyster bar, photo booth, live street magicians and the company of their fellow craftsmen. Tucked in one of the side rooms, our Customer Service Specialist Cole Lineberry conducted interviews for a podcast on the history and success of the program. After everyone had mingled to their heart’s content, they filed into the main room for dinner and the awards ceremony. Blue tones lit the historic architecture as the guests sat and enjoyed a gourmet meal, craft cocktails and a stellar wine selection. VP of Sales and Marketing Matt Kwarta took to the podium to kick off the festivities. In his speech, he looked back on the previous decade at what began as a humble gathering, one that had now grown into a burgeoning community of elite craftsmen whose bonds were as strong and beautiful as the outdoor spaces they build. 

 

One by one each monthly HERO was called to the front to accept their award, the yearly Paves the Good award was presented and then it was time to announce the winner for the year. Tension filled the air and everyone waited in anticipation.

The 2024 HARDSCAPE HERO of the Year is…

Christina Speiden of Pro-Built Construction. Dealer of the Year: Harting and Son’s Building Supply.

While Christina was unable to attend, her father Edward Pacylowski who started the company accepted the award in her place. He spoke about what it means to be a hero, about putting your family, your company and the people who work for you before all of your own needs, and how anyone who starts a small business is a hero. As tears welled up in his eyes he expressed his immense gratitude for Belgard and for his team.

After the ceremony concluded, the HEROES hit the dance floor to party into the night, bringing the tenth year of HARDSCAPE HERO to a close. With a decade of growing success, strengthening bonds and building trust, the sky is the limit for the Belgard HARDSCAPE HERO program, and we can’t wait to see what the next ten years hold in store.