Every year, Solutionz, Inc., AV industry manufacturers, and end-user customers take a few days to step back from their daily routines and come together with intention and purpose during Solutionz's annual sales kick-off event.
At the beginning of March, the Solutionz team gathered alongside some of the AV industry's top professionals at the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort for the 21st Annual Sales Kick-Off and the 11th Annual Golf for Hope, benefiting City of Hope.
What began as an annual business conference has expanded into a multi-day event each year focused on setting the tone for how we work, lead, and support our customers, all while giving back to a vital cause – finding a cure for cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses through the research and care at City of Hope.
Guided by this year’s theme, Balance of Power, the week encouraged us to see performance from a more well-rounded perspective.
The theme encouraged attendees to consider how we show up not only as individuals but as a unified organization.
Power in Action
Our teams advanced professional development across sales and support services, all with a shared commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our customers and partners. Throughout the event, we explored the core fundamentals that drive success, while reflecting on key wins from the past year and identifying opportunities for improvement. Attendees also exchanged actionable strategies designed to elevate performance and drive even greater impact in 2026.
Balance in Practice
Several sessions examined the realities of working in a fast-moving industry. Conversations flowed on energy management, creating healthy routines during busy cycles, and building systems that support sustainable momentum across the year.
Community at the Heart
Connection remained at the heart of the week. Many attendees shared that their most meaningful takeaways came from the conversations in between sessions. Reconnecting with colleagues and partners reinforced why this gathering has become such an important annual touchpoint.
Travis Askew, Chief Operating Officer at Solutionz, Inc., said:
"The moment that stood out most to me was the level of alignment across our teams. People from every region and discipline were focused on the same goal. Winning together by working smarter, collaborating more, and executing at a higher level. That kind of alignment is exactly what will carry Solutionz into 2026.”
We kicked off the week with an evening at Culinary Dropout, providing an opportunity for attendees to connect, reconnect with colleagues, and welcome new team members ahead of the formal program. The warm, engaging atmosphere set a positive, professional tone for the days that followed.
For early risers on Monday morning, the conference began with a rejuvenating sound bath led by Melodic Meditations. It created a grounding moment of presence and reflection that connected naturally to our Balance of Power theme before the week picked up pace.
The week centered around general sessions on our shared direction for 2026 and how we will continue to move forward together. Leadership provided perspective on evolving industry dynamics and the opportunities ahead, reinforcing the importance of staying agile in a changing environment. A consistent theme throughout these discussions was the value of alignment, collaboration, and effectively leveraging available resources to enhance customer experiences and drive continued progress.
Our sessions reinforced the importance of staying ahead in an increasingly complex technology landscape. From strengthening security awareness to advancing proactive support strategies, the goal remained on equipping teams with the insight needed to better support customers and anticipate challenges before they arise. As AV solutions continue to evolve, ensuring our teams are informed, adaptable, and prepared remains a top priority, with ongoing investments in knowledge, tools, and support services playing a critical role in delivering consistent, high-quality experiences.
Dr. Rebecca Heiss, behavioral scientist and author of Springboard, delivered an energetic and memorable keynote exploring instinctual behavior and how intentional decision‑making shapes performance. Her mix of science, humor, and interactive activities challenged the team to be more fearless in reframing stress and habits that hold us back.
As she shared with the group:
“Stress is not the enemy. It is information. When we understand what our instincts are trying to protect us from, we stop reacting and start leading with intention.”
Her message tied directly into the Balance of Power theme and reminded the room that sustainable performance begins with understanding how we respond under pressure.
Monday evening, our leaders recognized the outstanding achievements of 2025. The awards program celebrated individuals whose performance and dedication stood out this past year, followed by a casino night that brought the team together for a fun, relaxed evening.
One of the most valued parts of this annual event is the engagement with our AV manufacturing partners. Partner sessions and the Vendor Fair were packed with product updates, technology demos, and hands-on opportunities to explore new solutions for upcoming projects.
These interactions help our teams stay current on what is possible in modern AV system design and strengthen the relationships that support our customers throughout the year. Many attendees said the fair remained one of the most beneficial parts of the entire week.
The week concluded with the 11th Annual Golf for Hope, a charity tournament that has grown into a meaningful tradition within the AV community. This year, the event raised a record-breaking $201,000 for City of Hope, a leading research and treatment center committed to advancing care for cancer, diabetes, and other life‑threatening illnesses.
The group heard a moving message from patient speaker Arpi Hamilton, a triple-negative breast cancer survivor and former Mrs. Arizona. Her story added perspective to the day and reminded participants why this event continues to matter year after year.
A day of perfect weather, friendly competition, shared purpose, and a fun raffle thanks to all of our sponsors, made the event both memorable and impactful.
The 21st Annual Sales Kick-off and 11th Annual Golf for Hope reinforced what sets Solutionz apart. This is a company that shows up for its customers, its people, and the work itself.
We leave Phoenix with sharper strategies, stronger relationships, and a clear sense of what the future can be if we pursue it with the same intention, balance, and community focus that defined this week.
“What I felt this week was something I hear from our partners and customers all the time: this team is special. You could see it in the way people showed up, the way they learned from each other, and the energy in every room. We were challenged, inspired, and reminded of the impact we get to make together. It is a privilege to work with this team and an honor to lead them. After a week like this, it is impossible not to feel excited about where we are headed in 2026.”
— Bill Warnick, CEO at Solutionz, Inc.
This week would not be possible without the generous support of our industry partners. We are incredibly grateful for your commitment to the AV community and to the mission of Golf for Hope, benefiting City of Hope alongside Solutionz, Inc.
Almo Pro AV, Crestron, Legrand AV
ADI, Biamp, HP Poly, LG, Logitech, Samsung, Shure, Sony, TD Synnex
Silver
Covid, Extron, Liberty, Peerless AV, Q-SYS, Sharp, ScanSource, Wesco, Planar, ViewSonic
Bronze
Audio-Technica, Jabra, Nureva, Panasonic, Sound Control Technologies, Televic, ViewSonic, Windy City Wire
Visuals