What does it take to grow a one-man AV setup into a multi-million-dollar production company serving some of the biggest stages in America?
In this episode of NWA Founders, we sit down with Cameron Magee, founder of avad3 Event Production, to explore how he went from running tech for church services to producing high-stakes corporate events across the country. Cameron shares the full behind-the-scenes story starting in high school with nothing but passion, gear, and grit.
What began with simple lighting and sound setups grew into a business that now handles everything from live streams to large-scale conferences for Fortune 500 clients. And it all started in Northwest Arkansas. If you're an entrepreneur building a service-based business, or just love stories of creative people scaling impact through systems and excellence, this episode is packed with wisdom and insight.
Summary
Cameron’s entrepreneurial journey began at age 14, helping churches with AV setup. He founded avad3 while still in college and slowly scaled the business by prioritizing reliability, client service, and doing the little things right. His approach wasn’t flashy - it was intentional. And that commitment to quality is what set avad3 apart from day one.
Instead of chasing flashy growth or big marketing campaigns, Cameron focused on refining process, building team culture, and empowering his crew. By creating systems and building trust, he turned avad3 into a company that could operate at a national scale without losing its human touch. Cameron discusses how discipline, delegation, and documentation have been essential to sustainable growth.
Today, avad3 serves clients coast to coast, yet remains proudly based in Northwest Arkansas. Cameron talks about why he chose to stay rooted in the region, how his team continues to innovate with gear and training, and what it means to elevate the entire experience—not just the event itself.
Highlights
00:00 – Early beginnings: high school gigs, gear collecting, and church events
15:00 – Founding avad3
30:00 – Building credibility, hiring a team, and learning how to lead
45:00 – Developing systems and the philosophy behind quality control
57:00 – When the White House calls
1:15:00 – Staying rooted in NWA while growing a national client base
Nick's 3 Key Takeaways
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NWA Founders is a voice for Founders, Owners, and Builders driving growth in Northwest Arkansas, and is hosted by Cameron Clark and Nick Beyer.