This winter – and what we have had of a spring – has been a remarkable time for the entire Advantage Co.  Not only have our core businesses [the electronics division, TW&Co, and Giancarlo’s] produced the single largest increase in 20 years for Q1, our partnerships have set international and national precedents in IT as well.  The biggest winner of all was certainly our Lifetime Service Center.  Our local and California based service centers have had a run that rivals the pace we had in 2009 [and this time we are doing it right].

Over the past several months, the Walker Center has seen the development of our new Cento Club [with our two new private banquet and meeting rooms], The Beauty Bar [featuring all natural drinks, snacks, raw desserts, and organic juices], and the usual renovations and expansion.  Along with all that, we have partnered with Wellingtin Resources and introduced Bogavia to national accounts.

Recently, we’ve had visits from the founders, creators, designers, and CEO’s of Tata Harper, John Hardy, Roberto Coin, and Sumbody; while later this year we are looking forward to visits from Paige from Paige Denim, Brandy Monique from Fig Yarrow, the creator of DL1961, the creator of Peace, Love, World, the creator of Chaser, the creator of Yarok, the designer of Mackage, and we’re still working on Diane Von Furstenberg [who mentioned to Jules and Alison that she would come visit them soon].

While Tony Walker & Co and Giancarlo’s form our smallest division, it is my personal favorite.  I am looking forward to spending most of my summer on Giancarlo’s patio [and completely renovating the TW&Co store once again].

But all that has been going on pales in comparison to what our Autonomic Resources partnership has accomplished over the past six months.  Not only were we the first to receive the FedRAMP IaaS Authority to Operate, we have now received the Department of Interior’s 10 year ID/IQ Cloud Foundation contract award.  The Wall Street Journal led the story on this award with “Autonomic’s ARC-P Platform Gains Momentum With the 10 Year $1 Billion ID/IQ.”  I’d say we agree.

http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130502-913753.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

I return to town at the end of May, and I am looking forward to an incredible summer.  We’ll be kicking it off on June 6th with our 35th Anniversary Party as we open our new Stereo Advantage Warehouse Sales Center at our international distribution and service center on Wehrle Dr.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in what has been the most remarkable 6 months in the history of the Advantage Co.  Thank you.