Pacific Office Automation (POA), the largest independent office equipment reseller in the U.S.—and perhaps the world—brought more than 1,000 employees and guests to Portland, OR, for its annual sales kickoff on January 18. As one of the few resellers that invite outsiders to witness their high-energy, no-nonsense sales meeting, POA once again delivered a clear message: the company is stronger than ever.
A New Era Under Adam Pritchett
This year’s event was particularly significant as it marked Adam Pritchett’s first company-wide meeting since being named CEO earlier in January. Adam carried himself with the same quiet confidence that has made his Arizona region one of POA’s most successful, driving it past $100 million in revenue each year.
Adam is reserved, polished, and deliberate, but with a sharp sense of humor and a self-deprecating charm. He’s also a serious golfer, having won a pro-am tournament, and he brings that same precision and discipline to POA’s leadership. His message to the team was clear: stability, focus, and continued growth. If anyone in the audience had concerns about the transition, Adam’s presence and approach surely put them to rest.
Big Numbers and Big Expectations
POA came close to hitting $500 million in revenue this past year after their 48th straight year of growth, and judging by the energy in the room, they’re ready to smash that milestone in 2025. The crowd—comprised of employees from across the western U.S. and from as far as West Virginia, as well as a few hundred more watching via live stream—was fully engaged as branch performance was reviewed in detail. Accountability is a core part of POA’s culture, and every team was measured against their goals.
The company’s commitment to sales is so strong that these meetings are held on weekends—ensuring not a single business day is lost to anything other than selling.
E-Automate Standardization Excites the Crowd
One of the most unexpected moments of the day came when leadership announced that e-automate from ECI would be fully rolled out across all POA locations this year. While the system was already in use at most branches, the decision to standardize company-wide was met with cheers from the audience. It’s clearly a project the team has been waiting for, and the enthusiasm in the room made that obvious.
Industry Leaders in Attendance
POA’s strength and influence were on full display, with an impressive lineup of industry executives in attendance. Konica Minolta President & CEO Sam Errigo addressed the audience during the main conference, while Sharp Electronics President & CEO Mike Marusic spoke at the gala dinner.
Senior management from Canon USA, Ricoh, ACDI, GreatAmerica, RISO, Lexmark, and many others were also present, underscoring the level of respect POA commands in the industry.
A POA Tradition: Getting Comfortable with the Uncomfortable
One of the highlights of POA’s annual kickoff is watching top sales performers step out of their comfort zones. Past years have seen ballroom dancing in full costume, water ballet, and this year, in keeping with the presence of Portland Trail Blazers personalities, the theme was basketball. Whether it was shooting hoops or taking part in team challenges, the event kept things fun while reinforcing the competitive spirit that defines POA’s sales culture.
A First-Class Event from Start to Finish
The weekend kicked off with a welcome dinner for out-of-town guests, setting the stage for a high-energy day of meetings, followed by a formal gala at the convention center. Unlike last year, where a brutal snowstorm nearly shut the city down, this year’s event went off without a hitch.
When the dust settled, POA had once again proven why it’s a dominant force in the industry. The leadership remains strong, the numbers speak for themselves, and the energy in the room made one thing clear: POA isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
SOURCE Industry Analysts Inc.