Top Workplace HBG Design celebrates 40 years as a top hospitality industry architecture and interior design firm.
See full article – The Commercial Appeal
A memorable experience. A sense of arrival. The engagement of senses – smell, sight, touch, sound, taste. All are characteristics that an exceptional design firm endeavors to craft in the spaces it creates. These are also the principles on which Memphis-based HBG Design has established a 40-year tradition of success.
Today, HBG Design is much more than a nationally-ranked architecture and interior design firm. A successful partner for its clients in the hospitality industry, HBG Design also enjoys the distinction of being one of the Memphis area’s top workplaces. At HBG Design, professionals are empowered to approach their work with confidence, creativity and vision.
“You don’t maintain that level of strength by chance — it takes the right mix of strategy, talent, passion and alignment,” says Rick Gardner, AIA, Principal and HBG Design’s Practice Leader. “As a firm, we have a shared vision that is aligned in a very positive way, and as leaders, we support one another and hold each other accountable. Vision and commitment are symbiotic…one cannot thrive without the other; and vision is worthless without a talented team to bring it to life – and we are surrounded by such exceptional talent here! This group collectively is the best I’ve worked with in 33 years of practice.”
In its 40 years, HBG Design has grown to become a Top 10 hospitality design firm nationally. More than 100 professionals work from the Memphis office, which continues to grow. Whether their role is in architecture, interior design, client management, project management or business operations, the firm’s employees are all committed to finding creative solutions that engage consumers and bolster their clients’ brands.
In the office, HBG Design’s employees enjoy a positive culture that rewards creativity and provides opportunities for growth and professional development. The firm offers a generous benefits package which includes vacation time based on the number of years served, an expansive health insurance program, a 401(k) program with a generous company match, a performance-based bonus program, and company-paid dues for professional organizations, among other perks and programs.
“It is definitely a challenge for young professionals today to find a work environment that truly values employees and supports their career goals. I think what we have here at HBG Design –that mix of exciting and challenging design opportunities inside an organization that is committed to being a ‘top workplace’ – is rare,” said Shawn Hobbs, AIA, a senior architectural designer with the firm who was recently promoted to Principal.
At HBG Design, employees are encouraged to broaden their reach, challenge themselves and aim for excellence. Junior employees benefit from coaching and mentorship programs, in addition to a broad professional development program. The firm’s Sponsor Program matches Principals, Senior Associates and Associates with employees, establishing relationships that assist in developing technical skills as well as individual career development. Ultimately, the firm benefits from these relationships as well, as employees are more likely to grow, advance in the firm, and give back by mentoring future employees in the coming years.
“We value high-performers and invest in developing talent,” said Terri Struminger, Principal and COO. “Because we are very intentional about instilling firm values and strategic direction as part of every employee’s vocabulary, I think our employees today have a greater understanding of how they can contribute, lead and share in our success. They have more of a mindset that’s focused on how we can do things differently, innovate and improve processes that help everyone become better, together.”
Through its 40 years, HBG Design has proven that a positive employee experience can help foster a positive customer experience.