Among the many awards Sweetwater keeps winning is the Upstate Indiana Business Journal's award for the "Best Place to Work" in our ten-county area. The 2008 awards ceremony took place here in our Performance Theatre, where Sweetwater was repeatedly praised as "the Gold Standard, the ultimate example" of what a best place to work should be. In this video, Sweetwater employees discuss the unique experience of working at the most respected retailer in the industry.

From its 1979 beginning as a mobile recording studio, Sweetwater has grown to more than 350 employees, all dedicated to provide customers with "The Sweetwater Difference." The company was built from the ground up to be a great place to do business, with a knowledgeable sales staff, affordable prices, and dependable after-the-sale support that's second to none. The Sweetwater Difference is also the driving force behind its treatment of employees, who enjoy the combined benefits of a small, "family-style" environment with amenities that are above and beyond any retailer in the industry.

The Sweetwater Difference

Sweetwater Founder and President Chuck Surack receives the "Best Places to Work" award from Upstate Indiana Business Journal Publisher Richard Cummins and Philip Laux, President, Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce.

More than 100 companies in the region completed a rigorous, multiple-survey process to compete in this recognition program, with Sweetwater winning best overall in the 100-500 employees category. The process, according to competition guidelines, included "an internal and external audit of company policies, compensation and benefit packages, diversity in hiring practices, community involvement, employee retention, overall best hiring practices and family-friendly environment."

Sweetwater also received top honors for "Most Innovative Corporate and Business Culture" and "Best Employee Satisfaction."

The "Most Innovative Corporate and Business Culture" award was given, according to competition guidelines, based on "open workplace, job-sharing, flextime, employee fitness and wellness programming, advancement opportunities, and other quality of life initiatives, retention and compensation."

The "Best Employee Satisfaction" award was determined by an anonymous online survey filled out by Sweetwater employees.

Sweetwater founder and president Chuck Surack received the three awards at a luncheon hosted by the Upstate Indiana Business Journal and the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. After the presentation, he participated in a panel discussion with the winners in the small and large company categories. He credited Sweetwater's success to "excellence from each and every one of the great employees that make up our winning culture."

Later, he remarked, "I'm particularly gratified to see Sweetwater recognized for 'Best Employee Satisfaction.' We work very hard as a company to provide the best workplace possible for the fine professionals who come from all over the country to work here."