A Deeper Dive With an Awards Writer Awards are rarely urgent. They sit in the background as a feel-good endeavor to get to later. After this job. After the next one. When things slow down. Next year. Without the right processes and mindset, next year often does not come. I have worked with pond builders […]
What Industry Awards Do for Pond Builders and the Industry Read More »
Introducing the Water Artisan of the Year Awards Committee As the water feature and pond industry continues to evolve, so must the standards that define excellence within it. In an effort to further elevate the integrity, transparency and prestige of the Water Artisan of the Year (WATY) Awards, POND Trade is proud to announce the
The Deep End is a hands-on koi pond build workshop running Tuesday through Thursday, leading directly into the All-American Koi Show weekend. This immersive koi pond construction experience is designed for hobbyists, builders, and koi enthusiasts who want real-world pond-building knowledge and meaningful industry connections. Participants will work together to build a functional koi pond
I just want to build ponds. That’s all I want to do. Cool. This is a statement many newcomers to the pond world make — a pure, honest goal that captures the heart of this trade. But anyone who’s been around long enough knows that building ponds is never just about digging holes and filling
An Honest Guide to the Pond Building Profession Read More »
In November, pond professionals from across the country gathered just outside of Memphis, Tennessee, for the 2025 Midsouth Ponds Retreat—an immersive, business-focused event designed to strengthen leadership, sharpen strategy, and foster meaningful industry connections. The retreat welcomed 72 attendees representing 15 states, with participants traveling from California to South Carolina, Maine to Texas, underscoring the
Recap: Midsouth Ponds Retreat Read More »
From our very first meeting, it was clear this project would be something special. The homeowners were a young, enthusiastic couple who had purchased their property, several acres of woodland along the shores of Lake Michigan, a few years prior. Since then, they had been thoughtfully developing the landscape season by season, moving intentionally from
A Promise Set in Stone: Koi Pond with Multiple Streams Read More »
What if I told you the satisfaction of designing a functional pond, placing rockwork, pruning plants and feeding your fish need not diminish with the inevitable change of seasons? What if I also told you there is a hobby so comparable in core principles to ponds and water gardens that the similarities are uncanny, with
Aquascaping: The Indoor Hobby That Mirrors Pond Design Read More »
When Gary Vaynerchuk showed up at his father Sasha’s 400,000-gallon pond build in New Jersey, he didn’t just watch the machines and marvel at the boulders. He spent time with a circle of pond professionals and manufacturers, answering questions and dropping actionable advice. The impromptu Q&A ended up being less about koi and more about
Gary Vee’s Social Media Playbook for Pond Builders Read More »
How Friendship Sparked a Once-in-a Lifetime Build People see the machinery, the 20-foot waterfall, the 400,000 gallons—and they assume the story begins with blueprints. It didn’t. It began with a sales lead that didn’t close, a bottle of wine, and a friendship. This is the story of the Vaynerchuk pond. The Origin of a 400,000-Gallon
Building the 400,000-Gallon Vaynerchuk Pond Read More »
After years of offering personal, local expertise in pond window development, we are proud to introduce Pond Portals to the greater koi community. Pond Portals is a small, family-owned business focused on providing high-quality koi pond viewing windows made in America. Each kit includes a stainless-steel frame, stainless-steel retainer, glass, sealant, fasteners and more. Clear
Introducing Pond Portals: Koi Pond Viewing Windows Read More »