Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Douglass.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started Cybis in 1995 while I was still in high school. I attended my first Future Business Leaders of America conference as a freshman in high school and I was completely overwhelmed by the energy in the room. I remember standing in the back thinking, I want to produce this.
That spark launched everything. In the beginning I was teaching myself video editing, Photoshop, After Effects and doing computer work and small multimedia projects. Over the late 1990s and early 2000s that grew into real live shows – seven years after that first FBLA conference, I produced that exact same FBLA show with college friends (a young Team Cybis), and we’ve produced it for Florida FBLA for 23 years. That was the moment Cybis Productions became what it is today.
From those early student events we expanded into corporate meetings, conferences, award galas, fundraising events and national leadership programs. We’ve grown from me doing everything – sales, creative, truck loading – to a national team of creative and technical extraordinaires. In 2025 we’re celebrating 30 years; to date we’ve produced hundreds of events across 107 cities and have impacted over two million people in live audiences.
What’s kept me motivated all these years is seeing the impact we make – when the lights go up, the sound hits, and the audience feels something real. That’s what drives us every single time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey has had its share of challenges. In the beginning, I wore many hats – sales, creative, logistics, and technical direction. As the company has grown, I had to learn to delegate, build systems, and trust a team. Transitioning to leading a full production company has required a shift in mindset and structure. Also technology in our industry shifts fast, and you either adapt or fall behind – that’s a continuous challenge that our team embraces.
The other challenge has been maintaining the same level of excellence as we’ve scaled. Every event is unique, every client has different needs, and our work is live – you only get one chance to get it right. That constant demand for precision keeps us sharp but also means there’s no margin for error. That can create a lot of stress, which is why rehearsal, planning, and staffing the right experts is non-negotiable. Through it all, we’ve learned to embrace planning, rehearsals, and communication as the foundation of our success.
Looking back, every obstacle – whether logistical, creative, or operational – helped us strengthen the company’s foundation and evolve for the long term.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Cybis Productions?
Cybis Productions is a total show management company specializing in live event production, creative media, and audiovisual excellence.
We provide everything needed to execute a live show: projection, sound, lighting, LED video, cameras, teleprompting, drapery, scenic, and stage management. But beyond the equipment, what truly defines us is our team – professionals who bring expertise to every production.
We also offer creative services such as motion graphics, show openers, event branding, and scriptwriting. Our approach blends the technical and creative elements so that every part of the show – visuals, sound, staging, and messaging – works together seamlessly.
What sets us apart is that we take total ownership of the event. Our clients trust us to manage every detail, so they can focus on their people and their message. We’ve served Fortune 500 companies, national non-profits, and even the White House, and many of our clients have partnered with us for over two decades.
I’m proud of the culture we’ve built. Our team genuinely loves what we do, and it shows in every event we deliver. After 30 years, our legacy is built not only on technology and creativity, but on relationships and trust.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that success in this business comes from people and preparation. No amount of technology replaces the value of a strong, unified team. When you invest in people who care as much about the work as you do, everything else follows.
I’ve also learned that growth requires evolution. Every few years, we refine our systems, rethink how we operate, and improve our processes to prepare for the next stage. That willingness to adapt – while holding onto our values of excellence, innovation, and integrity – is what keeps Cybis strong decades later.
Finally, I’ve learned that live production is about more than perfect execution – it’s about impact. When an audience walks away inspired, that’s when we’ve truly succeeded.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thinkcybis.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thinkcybis
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/thinkcybis
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/thinkcybis
- Twitter: https://x.com/thinkcybis
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thinkcybis
