Thirty years ago today, my father, Ray Butterfield, had already set out on his journey to open a full service exhibit house. March 17th marks the date of his official corporate filing within the state of Florida.
Ray Started his business in our small garage and it grew from one small building to the next. Exhibits were built a bit differently back then – primarily wood, laminate and paint. There was no such thing as CNC machines and SEG printed fabrics. In the late 1980’s, with my mother aboard as CFO, he moved to 5454 W. Crenshaw St where he would fabricate his first two story exhibit for Nutmeg Mills (now VF Corporation). The following years would include much growth and innovation, many craftsmen, designers and account executives. As an immigrant from the UK he was creating his own american dream!
Over the years he would create many projects for such companies as Nokia, Raytheon and Harbor Brach Oceanographic institute. He branched out into museum interior and gallery construction. This would lead to a whole different kind of client base, museum clients included The Government House in St. Augustine, Tampa Museum of Art and St. Petersburg Museum of History.
I joined the company in 1991 to work alongside my mother and father. I never had some grand vision of taking over the business; I just simply enjoyed working with them. Shannon Bennett joined us a year later and the ADM family was complete. Years flew by and we continued to grow and develop innovative 3D experiences. I don’t think we ever thought we would still be here! And now we’re in a 40,000 square foot facility servicing long term clients back on Crenshaw Street!
Please join us in celebrating our 30th anniversary and honoring our founder, Ray Butterfield. He has inspired us all to keep working and never give up!
