Revolutionizing content, connections, community and commerce

When Rajiv and Hima Jain founded a2z in 1999, they sought to develop a comprehensive and easy-to-use web-based event management system. Now an industry-leading company, their technology powers over 1,200 events and supports planning and logistics for nearly half of the top 250 trade shows each year. Despite the inevitable change that comes with such growth, a2z has remained fully committed to its core principles. Their culture is based on an unwavering commitment to customer service and each employee is empowered to do whatever it takes to deliver on this promise. Rajiv continues to lead the daily responsibilities and works alongside his staff each day, actions that reinforce the company’s commitment to their team and customers.

The company’s workplace also reinforces this commitment and plays an essential role in fostering collaboration among employees and clients. After nearly 20 years of impressive growth, Rajiv realized that his 60-person team was quickly outgrowing its office near Columbia Town Center and turned to JLL’s Brad Crosley to navigate the complex office search process. Rajiv knew that he needed a space to accommodate the company’s growth, but it was imperative that a new office not affect the culture. By the time Rajiv met Brad, the company had come a long way since its early startup days working out of a townhouse and an incubator space. Its physical space had come to represent its progress and growth and now it was time for its office to reflect the company’s future growth.

Brad worked closely with Rajiv and his team throughout the entire search process. They surveyed employees, conducted quantitative analyses and toured all viable options within Columbia, MD. Through this effort, a2z learned its employees loved the current location and frequently took advantage of the nearby amenities, including Whole Foods, Merriweather Post Pavilion, and downtown Columbia. It was not lost on Rajiv that this location played a key role in recruiting and retaining his best talent. After an exhaustive market search, Brad realized that a2z’s current location was, in fact, the best option. Instead of helping a2z find a completely new space, he helped a2z uncover an opportunity in its existing one.

Available space within the building presented an opportunity for a2z to keep employees together on one floor while adding communal meeting space and shared amenities (including a coveted bike rack) on another floor. Brad engaged JLL’s project management experts to design, construct and manage the build-out process from start to finish. This collective effort resulted in the creation of a workplace that continues to support a2z’s rapid growth and strengthen employee dynamics.