We’re excited to officially open final vendor registration and payment for the event. Below are the details along with the sign-up and payment links.
In partnership with the BODYARMOR State Games Dock Diving Event, Splash Bash on Elm is a two-day outdoor vendor market bringing together pet lovers, families, athletes, vendors, and rescue organizations in downtown Greensboro.
Dates: Saturday, June 27th & Sunday, June 28th
Time: 9AM–4PM
Location: 332 S Elm St., Downtown Greensboro South Elm
Street will be closed to traffic during the event, creating a fun pedestrian-friendly atmosphere for shopping, dock diving, adoptions, and community activities.
Each vendor or rescue will receive a 10x10 booth space.
Rescue organizations may also participate in an Adoption Pop-Up both days from 9AM–1PM.
Vendor Fees
• One Day: $150
• Two Days: $200
Rescue Organizations
Free
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Please complete your registration and payment using the links below:
SPLASH BASH Sign-Up Link [signupgenius.com]
SPLASH BASH Payment Link [shop.allpetsconsidered.com]
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We’re looking forward to a fun weekend and appreciate your participation!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LS3P’S GREENSBORO OFFICE RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING TEAM MEMBERS
May 18, 2026, Greensboro, NC
LS3P congratulates three Greensboro team members who were recently recognized for exemplary efforts.
Higher Education Market Leader Matt Takacs, AIA, LEED AP BD+C was named an Associate Principal with the firm. Takacs joined the firm in 2023 and brings more than 24 years of experience delivering projects across higher education, K–12, healthcare, and commercial markets. His background as an owner’s representative, combined with his architectural experience, allows him to guide projects with a strong focus on collaboration and client goals.
General Accountant Jeanne Christman was recognized as a Senior Associate.
Senior Architect Mark Trull, AIA was recognized as an Associate.
Recognitions were announced at LS3P’s annual meeting on May 7, 2026, which is held each year in May to celebrate the anniversary of its founding.
About LS3P: Founded in 1963, LS3P is an architecture, interiors, and planning firm with regional roots and national reach. Operating from its twelve offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Wilmington, Atlanta, Savannah, and Jacksonville, LS3P is deeply committed to the communities in which it serves and has been honored with over 680 design awards in diverse practice areas. For more information on LS3P, visit www.ls3p.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press contact: Jack Garvey, Executive Director and Chief Development Officer, Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. jack@gdpi.org
Greensboro to Host Festive World Soccer Watch Parties as Team Norway’s Official Base Camp City
May 12, 2026 – The Greensboro Sports Foundation and Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. (GDPI) are thrilled to announce two free public watch parties of FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches in LeBauer Park in Downtown Greensboro. As the official Team Base Camp for the Norwegian National Football Team, Greensboro invites the community to cheer alongside fellow fans on the new, high-definition GMA/FirstPoint Screen at the Price/Bryan Performance Pavilion.
“It is an honor to be a host city for Team Norway as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup,” said Greensboro Sports Foundation President and CEO Richard Beard. “We are thrilled to cheer them on as a community.”
“My most exciting World Cup memories have been public watch parties surrounded by fans,” said Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. Executive Director Jack Garvey, Jr. “We are pleased that everyone can experience that stadium-like atmosphere in their downtown parks.”
These watch parties will be on Friday, June 12th, 2026 at 9:00 PM ET for United States versus Paraguay and on Friday, June 26th, 2026 at 3:00 PM for Norway versus France. Fans can arrive a couple of hours early to enjoy a meal or merchandise from local vendors, including Lawn Service by Little Brother Brewing and Parkside Pull-Up.
There is no cost to attend. Participants can register online and find more information at GreensboroDowntownParks.org/Soccer.
Greensboro is the Team Base Camp city for the Norwegian National Football Team. The Greensboro Sports Foundation leads the local organizing committee in partnership with the City of Greensboro, UNCG, and the Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The watch parties are co-presented by The Greensboro Sports Foundation, GDPI, Carolina Core FC, City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation, Downtown Greensboro, Inc., and Kontoor.
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Note to Editors: Richard Beard and Jack Garvey, Jr. will be available for on-camera interviews or statements at LeBauer Park’s GMA/FirstPoint Square at 208 N. Davie Street in Greensboro on Thursday, May 14th at 10:00 AM. Please RSVP to jack@gdpi.org.
About the Greensboro Sports Foundation
The Greensboro Sports Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to attracting and supporting youth, college, amateur and professional sporting events that drive sports tourism, generate economic impact, and create unique opportunities for youth sports in Greensboro and Guilford County. Working in partnership with local venues, businesses, community organizations, and a committed network of
volunteers, the Foundation helps welcome visitors to the region while using sports to strengthen the local economy and inspire the next generation of athletes. Visit us at greensborosf.com.
About Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that manages and activates Center City Park and LeBauer Park in downtown Greensboro. The organization focuses on public engagement, park maintenance, financial sustainability, and programming that brings the community together.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Greensboro Sports Foundation Names Brad Hecker as Vice President of Events and Operations
GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 6, 2026) — The Greensboro Sports Foundation today announced the hiring of Brad Hecker as Vice President of Events and Operations, a key leadership role responsible for the planning, execution, and delivery of the organization’s expanding portfolio of major sporting events.
In this role, Hecker will lead the Foundation’s event operations strategy and oversee the successful execution of high-profile events that continue to elevate Greensboro’s national and international reputation as a premier sports destination. His responsibilities will include preparations for the 2027 and 2029 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament, as well as the 2029 AAU Junior Olympics, which is expected to bring more than 18,000 young athletes to Greensboro over a two-week period in late July 2029. Also in 2029, Greensboro will play a big role in hosting the 2029 World University Games.
“Brad’s track record speaks for itself—he has operated at the highest levels of collegiate athletics and understands what it takes to deliver complex, high-profile events,” said Richard Beard, President of the Greensboro Sports Foundation. “As Greensboro prepares to host some of the most significant events in our history, including the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament, the World University Games and AAU Junior Olympics, Brad’s leadership will ensure we not only meet expectations, but set a new standard for excellence. His vision and operational expertise will have a lasting impact on our community and our continued growth as a premier sports destination.”
Hecker most recently served as Assistant Commissioner of Women’s Basketball for the Atlantic Coast Conference, where he oversaw conference operations and championship administration for one of the nation’s premier leagues. Originally joining the ACC in 2005 as Assistant Director of Women’s Basketball, Hecker earned multiple promotions over his tenure. In his most recent role, he coordinated women’s basketball operations across member institutions and managed the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament.
In addition to his core responsibilities, Hecker led the development of “Official Hub,” the ACC’s customized officiating services platform supporting 21 sports and nine partner conferences. The platform streamlined officiating assignments, communications, evaluations, payments, and tax processing across multiple leagues. He also played a leadership role in advancing women’s collegiate athletics, helping guide the initiative that led the NCAA to establish triathlon as an Emerging Sport for Women—now a fully recognized NCAA championship sport.
“Greensboro has long been synonymous with championship-level events,” said Hecker. “I’m excited to join the Greensboro Sports Foundation at such an important time and look forward to working with our partners to build on that legacy and deliver exceptional experiences for athletes and visitors.”
Hecker brings more than three decades of experience in sports management, beginning his career in 1995 as Program Director for the Greater New Orleans Regional Senior Olympic Games. He has held leadership roles across event management, athletic administration, and performance training, including serving as Athletic Director for the New Orleans Jewish Community Center and contributing to major international events with Premier Event Management. His event experience includes involvement with U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team Qualifiers, World Duathlon Championships, International Triathlon Union World Cup events, and the Nautica New York City Triathlon.
Hecker began his NCAA career at Campbell University, where he advanced from Operations Intern to Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing & Promotions, overseeing corporate sponsorships and sport programs.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Georgia and a Master of Arts in Human Performance and Health Promotion from University of New Orleans.
About the Greensboro Sports Foundation
The Greensboro Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to attracting, hosting, and supporting sporting events that drive economic impact and enhance quality of life in Greensboro and the surrounding region. With a focus on community engagement and youth participation—particularly among young girls in sports—the Foundation works to position Greensboro as a national leader in sports tourism.
Media Contact:
Richard Beard President
richard@greensboroSF.com
336-202-8383
Triad Goodwill Awarded Economic Development Grant
High Point, NC — February 23, 2026 — Pepper Moon Catering has been awarded a five-year, $975,000 Single-Award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with the North Carolina Army National Guard (NC-ARNG). While Pepper Moon is widely recognized across the Triad for weddings, corporate gatherings, and social celebrations, this milestone reflects a quieter, disciplined growth strategy unfolding behind the scenes, one rooted in operational excellence, compliance rigor, and service to those who serve. This February 10, 2026, award represents the culmination of a deliberate multi-year progression and signals a significant expansion of Pepper Moon’s role in government and military food service contracting.
A Deliberate Journey: From Entry to Single-Award Prime Pepper Moon’s federal contracting journey began in 2020. With steady leadership and a long-term mindset, the company entered the federal procurement space, monitoring solicitations, submitting bids, and learning the complexities of military acquisition processes. At the time, many catering opportunities were often structured as Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) reverse auctions. While competitive, that model prioritized price over performance. Pepper Moon believed something different was possible. From the beginning, leadership held a clear conviction: the men and women serving our country deserve more than the lowest acceptable standard. They deserve quality, reliability, and professionalism. That conviction was tested early. When the NC-ARNG required rapid response support at Camp Butner, Pepper Moon mobilized within 24 hours to provide approximately 1,500 meals over two days. Partnering quickly and executing under pressure, Pepper Moon successfully fulfilled the mission — a pivotal moment that demonstrated operational capability and began establishing direct trust with Guard leadership. Those early moments were more than transactions. They were proof of performance.
2024: Structured Entry On June 26, 2024, Pepper Moon secured a position under a competitive statewide multi-award Master BPA with the NC-ARNG, authorizing response to call orders for meal preparation, delivery, event catering, and specialty dietary services. This phase required meaningful internal buildout, quality assurance systems, compliance documentation, reporting discipline, expanded logistics infrastructure, and strengthened subcontractor relationships. Pepper Moon intentionally focused on performance history, consistency, and operational maturity.
2026: Single-Award BPA On February 10, 2026, Pepper Moon was awarded a new five-year Single-Award BPA as the Sole Prime Contractor. Under this structure, Pepper Moon is the sole awardee under the BPA, allowing for direct task order issuance within the contract scope. Upon exhaustion of the original multi-award BPA, the new agreement will replace it. The new BPA: Maintains a $975,000 ceiling over five years Reflects increased rates Expands geographic responsibility beyond primarily Western North Carolina to now include Central and Eastern North Carolina and select neighboring regions. As geographic responsibility expands, Pepper Moon maintains a structured network of vetted culinary and logistics partners across North Carolina, reinforcing statewide response capability while preserving centralized quality control and compliance standards. The progression from federal registration (2020) to multi-award participation (2024) to Sole Prime status under a Five-Year Single-Award BPA (2026) reflects a deliberate trajectory of disciplined growth and earned trust. “This award represents disciplined growth and earned trust,” said Joe Staehly, CEO and Owner of Pepper Moon. “We are known for creating beautiful celebrations, but behind that is a company built on systems, standards, and accountability. Supporting the North Carolina Army National Guard is both an operational responsibility and a deep honor. Our service members deserve excellence, and our team is proud to deliver it.”
A Strategic Platform for Continued Growth While Pepper Moon’s public reputation is rooted in hospitality and events, this milestone underscores the company’s broader operational capability and disciplined expansion strategy. The Sole Prime designation reflects an expanded level of trust and accountability, providing a meaningful platform for continued growth in military and government contracting.
About Pepper Moon Founded in 1996, Pepper Moon is a North Carolina–based hospitality and food service company committed to raising the standard of gathering. Best known for Pepper Moon Catering, the company serves corporate, nonprofit, government, and social clients across the Southeast. Beyond catering, Pepper Moon curates and manages a portfolio of distinctive venues and culinary destinations, including Kau, Bellemeade Bistro, Southern C’s Farm, Elm & Bain, The Blue Heron, and Revolution Mill Events. The company also provides structured food service solutions for large-scale gatherings, athletic events, and concession-based operations. Grounded in professionalism, compliance-driven infrastructure, and relational partnership, Pepper Moon blends disciplined execution with memorable experience — delivering hospitality that is as dependable as it is exceptional. For more information, visit: www.peppermooncatering.com 4310 Regency Road High Point, NC 27265
Abby Donnelly's best-selling book, 'An Insider's Guide to Succession and Exit', was selected by the Exit Planning Institute, for their 2026 Author's Showcase. This includes a promo display at the Exit Planning Summit in April, and promotion on their website and through social media throughout the year. Abby is with The Leadership and Legacy Group. Congratulations Abby!
