35 Years of Sight & Sound Productions
Author: Becca Nunes
Marketing Coordinator
Celebrating 35 Years of Sight & Sound Productions
Sight & Sound Productions began in 1987 with two guys and a van, fulfilling the AV rental needs to the Jacksonville area. Acquiring Ultimate Events in 1998 allowed us to transition from being a local AV equipment rental service to being a regional event production company with larger capabilities. In 2012, Mugwump Productions joined the team and further extended those capabilities by allowing us to expand our service offerings to include special event décor services.
Sight & Sound couldn’t have grown to what it is today without the support of its amazing team. From administrative roles to our techs out on shows, it takes everyone’s skills to make it all happen.
As Owner & CEO Jon Davis always says, “None of this would be possible without the incredible people we have working here”.
Highlighting our team members of 25 years!
To celebrate our 35 years, we are highlighting four team members that have been with us for over 25 years! They have seen the company grow from a 4-desk office, to the now 43,000 square foot facility. We had them answer a couple of questions about their time with us so far.
Jon Davis
Owner and CEO
- “I started out at a larger production company and came to Sight & Sound to work with the original owner, Kurt. As I moved up in the company and it expanded, I was given the opportunity to purchase it.”
How have you seen Sight & Sound change while being here?
- “I’ve seen it grow from a rental only office to the full-scale production company that it is today. From being in a couple of hotels to producing events all over Jacksonville and beyond.”
Do you have a favorite memory of your time here?
- “I remember the exact date. It was June 7, 2004. That was the day I became the official sole owner of Sight & Sound. After meeting with the lawyers and signing papers, I flew out to Las Vegas where our team was producing a Medtronic event.”
Do you remember your first day?
- “Yes, I do! I came to the office, and they had gotten me a brand-new desk and a phone-in-a-bag.”
What is your favorite part of the job?
- “I would say it’s developing talent. I’m so proud to see so many people that have come through me, excelling all over the country. I enjoy being involved in people’s lives and seeing them grow during their time with me.”
What is one of your favorite firsts at Sight & Sound?
- “The first time I produced a large corporate event. The first one was Vistage, and we continue to work with them so many years later.”
What is something you have learned over the last 25 years?
- “I’ve learned how to relinquish control and trust the management team that I built. They are more than capable of getting things done.”
Kevin Barnes
Operations Manager
- “I’ve seen it change from long sleeved suits to polos which I am very happy about!”
Do you remember your first day?
- “Yes, I do. I spent the whole day walking through the old warehouse learning how to operate slides and overhead projectors.”
What do you like most about working here?
- “It changes daily. There is always something different going on.”
Do you have a favorite event that you have worked on?
- “APT and Springing the Blues. It’s a toss-up between those two. APT is inside and completely video while Springing the Blues was running camera at an outdoor concert.”
Do you have a favorite memory of your time here?
- “Working with André, one of our techs, from the beginning. He is my brother from another mother. He’s the first guy I ever said I loved.”
What is something you have learned over the last 25 years?
- “Treat people how you want to be treated and always be ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work!”
John Gornto
IT Director/Hotel Operations
- “It’s changed 180 degrees. We started as rental and hotels and sat around waiting for the phone to ring for day of jobs and now our only focus is production and it’s become incredibly diverse since getting Mugwump.”
Do you remember your first day?
- “Yes. I walked into the Radisson, which is now the Southbank hotel, and met with the manager. He proceeds to teach me how to loop a VHS to two TVs and then leaves. And I never saw him again. It was apparently his last day as manager!”
What do you like most about working here?
- “Definitely the people. It’s a familial feeling around here that makes a great work environment. I also like that every day is always different!”
What is one of your favorite firsts at Sight & Sound?
- “I got to travel for work for the first time with Sight & Sound!”
Do you have a favorite event that you have worked on?
- “NCVH is the third largest cardiovascular conference in the US. About 13 years ago I developed their speaker ready management system that they are still using today!”
Do you have a favorite memory of your time here?
- “It was when we broke ground on our new office!”
What is something you have learned over the last 25 years?
- “I have learned a lot about TCP/IP and everything that has to do with computer networking.”
Dei Griffin
Business Manager
How have you seen Sight & Sound change while being here?
- “It’s been drastic changes. We have moved from a one room office with 6 desks to a 43,000 square foot facility. We’ve gone from purely rentals and sales to producing full events.”
Do you remember your first day?
- “I remember it as being four buildings ago.”
What do you like most about working here?
- “It’s never a dull moment. Every day is a fire drill.”
What is one of your favorite firsts at Sight & Sound?
- “Getting to fly out with our clients for a job. I came from working in retail to being able to fly to places like Las Vegas and Colorado for my job!”
What is your favorite part of your job?
- “I like being able to know what’s happening at all times!”
Do you have a favorite memory of your time here?
- “I got to travel to different places with our client, Medtronic, and be their photographer for their dinners.”
What is something you have learned over the last 25 years?
- “I’ve learned a lot about payroll and accounting. I’ve also learned to not get attached to things that are subject to change.”