The celebration was inspired by the 20-year milestone they recently achieved in marketing communications, the completion of their new offices, and a new team structure the companies now employ.

"We're looking forward to the next 20 years," said Joseph Takach, chief executive officer and co-founder of The Meridian Group. "We recognize the need to evolve with advancing technologies and changes in the way companies are doing business. We're committed to offering our clients the most innovative tools and strategies of our time, such as our Why? Process-an exclusive six-step process designed to uncover the core issues of most communications problems. Sometimes doing our job means raising the bar and setting new standards in the world of marketing. That's how we're approaching our next 20 years in business."

The move also allowed for the integration of The Meridian Group and tmg3.com into one location, which was crucial to the new team-oriented approach. "A collaborative effort was crucial in continuing the record revenues and profits tmg3.com enjoyed last year," said Rick Richter, president of tmg3.com. "The integration of our companies in our team approach grants us access to an exhaustive range of strategic marketing, public relations and creative resources and staff. Our clients will have only the best in Web site development and design."

Management within the two companies worked closely with architects to create a space designed to foster a cutting-edge approach to business and visual appeal. The objective was to facilitate the new team structure, which includes a dedicated staff for each industry segment. Similar team structures are currently employed by some of the largest and top-ranking New York agencies, as well as some of the largest agencies worldwide.

"We may not be as large as some of the folks in New York City," said Eric Lackey, president and co-founder of The Meridian Group, "and we may be a little further south, but letting those minor details limit our expectations of what we can do for our clients would be a mistake. We want our clients to know that our 'whatever it takes' philosophy here at The Meridian Group and tmg3.com is something we live and breathe every day." The Meridian Group and tmg3.com, combined, now occupy 14,000 square feet of the Marsh Landing Building at 575 Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach.

The Meridian Group-Marketing Communications is a full-service advertising and public relations agency with offices in Virginia Beach, Va., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Charleston, S.C. The agency specializes in consumer and business-to-business accounts in the financial services, travel and tourism, multi-outlet retail, real estate and industrial/corporate sectors. tmg3.com is one of the region's most experienced Web site definition / design and Internet marketing firms, with Web site projects in diverse market segments such as hospitality, real estate, engineering, financial, internet, manufacturing, media, medical, professional and non-profit services. For more information, go to www.themeridiangroup.com, or www.tmg3.com.