污污禁区

By: Steve Alford
污污禁区 Founder

I鈥檓 often asked, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 most satisfying about working in this industry?鈥� Well, let鈥檚 see, big bucks? No, that certainly wouldn鈥檛 be it. Great hours? Are you kidding? Working with cutting-edge new technologies? Does have its appeal. Getting to work with lots of talented people on many different kinds of challenging jobs? We鈥檙e getting close now. Helping others be more successful than they would otherwise be? Bingo!

In the late 鈥�70s and 鈥�80s, I made a name for myself in what I鈥檒l call the Golden Age of Multi-Image, programming arguably more multi-image slideshows than anyone in the country. I thrived on taking the transparencies afforded me and pushing the edge of the envelope (or at least the limits of the carousel projector) to make cutting-edge slideshows that often thrilled and amazed clients and audience members alike. I took pride in often working around the clock to meet deadlines and keep clients from seeking alternative programming services. Four times I went 鈥渙ver the wall鈥� 鈥� a term we coined for not going horizontal (sleeping) for seventy-five hours. Why did I (and others) submit our bodies to this abuse? I鈥檇 be lying if I didn鈥檛 say it was nice to be paid for my talent and stamina, but the real thrill DID come from helping others succeed and realize their visions.

Fast-forward thirty years. The slide projector is dead, and I鈥檓 lucky to be alive. Computer graphics and video have long since replaced slides and film as the media of choice for corporate events. While the emergence of the widescreen video reminds us of the multi-image days, the technical talent behind today鈥檚 extravaganzas requires vastly different skill sets than those needed three decades ago. Today many of our industry鈥檚 top audio and video engineers are certifiable geniuses who inexplicably ended up in the staging business rather than at a broadcast station, an engineering plant, or an aerospace facility. Yet, while technical skills have changed over the years, what hasn鈥檛 changed is the ongoing need for creative, problem-solving, reliable personnel. A healthy supply of patience and stamina are still valued as well.

For over a decade, I have been contacting all clients for which we staged an event. Along with helping us identify areas where we can improve, the comments I鈥檝e received have been most generous in touting what we鈥檝e done right, and to no one鈥檚 surprise, the highest praise goes to the people we have working for us.

On any given day, we are responsible for the audio, video, and lighting at the most important day in a company鈥檚 year. We take this responsibility very seriously. We (and our clients) are most fortunate to have arguably some of the industry鈥檚 most likable, dependable, and talented technicians in the industry.

Over three decades ago, I decided to put my name above the door. I wanted there to be no doubt about who was accountable for our work and our decisions. The Company has grown more extensively than I ever could have imagined. It鈥檚 been a pleasure to witness the maturation of so many of our employees. It鈥檚 been equally satisfying to sign on 鈥渟pecial鈥� new hires that are gifted technically but possess a work ethic and lifestyle we identify as 鈥渂urgundy.鈥� It is a privilege to have so many incredible men and women representing Alford, servicing our valued clients. People DO make a difference.