Eric Gilbert founded FOH Productions in 2002 after finding himself filling multiple roles in the meeting and event industry. He had a natural talent as an audio engineer and grew a loyal client base using his skills and furthering his experience to help clients coordinate other aspects of their events. This included putting together equipment specification lists and RFPs, referring and hiring other technicians, drafting room diagrams, and assisting with scenic design and meeting themes.
Gilbert launched his firm working out of a small 600-square-foot garage, ultimately growing the company to move into a 90,000-square-foot facility for both FOH Productions and Roadcase.com. Year-over-year, combined, both firms have witnessed revenue up over 55% and net income up 70% with millions in investments in new equipment, including CNC machines, lift tables, hydraulic punches and workstations.
Under Gilbert’s guidance, both companies continue to grow with a team member count of more than 120. Looking forward, Gilbert said the companies plan to propel FOH Productions from $23 million to $50 million and elevate Roadcase.com from $8 million to $20 million in revenue.
“What truly distinguishes Eric is his unwavering dedication to core values and a client-first mentality,” said his staff. “Grounded in the belief that enduring success stems from genuine partnerships, he prioritizes listening to clients and fostering collaboration, understanding that trust is the cornerstone of long-term relationships.”
Gilbert was pivotal in the rollout of CultureWise, a transformative platform aimed at nurturing a high-performing culture within the company. “By emphasizing key behaviors and rituals, CultureWise has empowered team members to autonomously make values-aligned decisions, fostering unity, empowerment and purpose,” said Gilbert.
He has also established a dedicated department focused on growth and learning initiatives. As a result, Roadcase.com was chosen for the ASU Small and Medium Sized Business Lab. Gilbert also takes advantage of sponsorship opportunities to support employees and their community endeavors with partnerships with the Grant Park Barrio Youth Project, AZ OutKast, and Ballet Folklorico de Santa Maria.
As a leader, Gilbert said his secret superpower is bringing people together and helping them see their hidden talents. “I love getting everyone excited about a shared vision and making sure we’re all moving in the same direction,” he said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to help young people realize their potential and develop their skills. And to be honest, I feel like I learn and grow just as much as the people I’m helping – it’s a two-way street.”
