08.21.2008 — Not surprisingly, CEDIA chairman Utz Baldwin says the association is a part of AD systems' company culture.

"We require everyone who touches clients to become certified, and we utilize those designations in our marketing," he says. "CEDIA really is so much more than a trade show."

He says that programs, like the finder service and the Registered Outreach Instructor program, have generated business for AD systems that "have paid for our membership 100 times."

Each year, the company brings all its employees to CEDIA Expo for education and the overall experience of the show.

"We all come home more engaged and with new ideas and best practices," he says. The company does that by creating a "passport" for every employee with specific areas of focus, such as particular vendors they need to visit or a technology to investigate.

To make it fun, the company has a "Treasure Hunt" contest in which employees are asked to come back with different pictures, such as the largest flat panel display at the show or a picture with Sam Runco.

The employee that comes back with the most complete passport wins a prize.

All of this is part of AD systems' employee-retention strategy, which includes investing in education, flexible schedules, good benefits and an open, team-based environment.

"My people are the key to our success," says Baldwin bluntly.

"My field technicians are far more aware of current situations, best practices and process failures on the job site than I or my project coordinator; therefore, my techs are directly involved in the process development when it comes to execution."

Baldwin adds that there is a great deal of communication within the company.

"I purposely designed the office in an open manor (no offices) to promote interaction. Most importantly, I understand that every individual truly wants to grow, learn and succeed."