If you attended the Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA) conference this year, you likely saw the usual sights: impressive booths, creative giveaways, and rows of industry experts.
But for our team, the highlight wasn’t a spectacle. It was the quiet, genuine conversations over a piece of chocolate. It was the realization that in an industry as rugged as paving and concrete, what facility managers crave most isn’t just a contractor. They want a partner they can trust.
Relationship-First Paving
We went into RFMA expecting to have meaningful conversations about our services, and we did. But beyond that, we built genuine connections through personal conversations and shared interests.
While we are experts on the technical side of the Southeast’s terrain, we found that our most valuable equipment at the conference was our ability to listen. By connecting on a personal level, we stood out in a sea of vendors. We showed up as real people, laying the groundwork for long-term partnerships within the industry.
“What stood out to me at RFMA is how much clients value partners they can trust to handle their needs. Paving isn’t something they want to think about; it’s something they want done right the first time, with no disruption to their business.”
– Abe Awad, Owner of Crown Paving
The “White Glove” Difference
One of the most frequent topics at our booth was our emphasis on communication and service as a professional contractor. People understood the value of working with a team that takes full ownership of the paving process. The team discussed our promise to turn around estimates in five days, our fast response time, and the higher standard that enables us to self-perform and deliver what clients are really looking for: peace of mind.
At the conference, we showcased our identity as a service provider. In an industry where costs are high and stakes are higher, we believe the experience should be exceptional from start to finish. We call it “White Glove Service,” a rarity in the world of paving, but a necessity for restaurant professionals who have enough on their plates.
What We Learned From Restaurant Leaders
Every conversation reinforced what matters most to facility teams when it comes to paving and site work:
- Facility managers don’t want to worry about paving. They want it handled so they can focus on their guests.
- Because of our founder’s background in the restaurant space, we were able to understand the critical importance of zero business disruption.
- The difference between a headache project and a successful one is keeping the client in the loop.
Looking Forward in 2026
We’re leaving RFMA with more than just a stack of business cards. We have validated our commitment to making paving the easiest part of a facility manager’s job. To everyone we talked with, we say “thank you.” We’re looking forward to turning those real conversations into long-term partnerships, one square foot of pavement at a time.
About The Author
Abe Awad
Owner/CEO
Abe Awad studied Finance and Political Science at American University before launching a career on Wall Street and later owning a successful restaurant business. But his passion for paving started much earlier, sparked at age seven while watching a driveway get sealcoated and cemented through countless job-site moments growing up. In 2021, after learning the trade from the ground up as a shovel man, Abe founded Crown Paving with a simple vision: elevate the paving industry through professionalism, precision, and white-glove service. Today, Crown Paving embodies that vision, blending craftsmanship with high standards to deliver a new benchmark for what clients can expect from a paving contractor.