Johnson City, TN-Based Axis Inc. Is Making Its Mark at Venues and Events Across the U.S.

Jeff Adkins

Over the years, the word has spread: Johnson City, TN is an exceptional place for companies of all sizes to call home. One of the nation’s largest event staffing firms has called Johnson City home for 18 years. Across all industry sectors – from technology to health care to agriculture – Johnson City is building a future of economic growth and opportunity. 

The ‘Largest’ Small Business 

For Jon Phillips, founder and president of Axis Inc., establishing his company’s headquarters in Johnson City made perfect sense when he was looking for a place to start his new business in 2006. 

“I was first introduced to Johnson City in 1994 when I was playing baseball at Georgia Southern University, and we played East Tennessee State University in Johnson City,” Phillips says. 

As part of his journey establishing his business, Phillips wound up back in Johnson City in 2005 and decided it was a great place to establish the headquarters for the bourgeoning Axis Inc. What started as a company with only two clients has blossomed to thousands of clients, including national sporting teams, large-scale music concerts, universities and festivals of all kinds. For example, the company works with Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, CMA Fest and Hangout Music Festival. 

In 2023 alone, Axis staffed 15,000 music and special events. Covering events across the country, including dozens in Johnson City, Axis staff provide security, crowd management, ticket taking, ushering, parking services, guest services and consulting. 

Axis Inc.

Small-Town Charm, Big-City Opportunity 

What does Phillips see as the biggest draw that Johnson City offers business owners? 

“It’s just a phenomenal place to live and to be a business owner,” he says. “It’s a small community where people are friendly and understand each other. There’s not a lot of politics. It’s really just a great small-town community where everyone tends to get along. You just don’t have the grind of the big city.” 

Although a national business, Axis’ corporate headquarters in Johnson City is actually one of its smaller offices among the nine Axis offices that dot the U.S., with about 14 employees working and residing in Johnson City. Other locations of Axis offices include San Francisco, New Orleans, Little Rock and Chattanooga. As such, Phillips sees Axis as the “largest small company in Johnson City that no one knows about.” 

Phillips says that Johnson City leaders are focusing on the future and working diligently to position the city to be one of the ideal places to run a company. In addition, the city offers a culturally rich environment and a low cost of living that appeals to young professionals and families. 

“One of the biggest draws of doing business in Johnson City is the low cost of living and the fact that there’s no state income tax. It’s also a very safe place to raise a family, thanks to its low crime rates,” Phillips says. 

He also points to the region’s high-ranking school systems and strong health care network, with several high-quality hospitals located in Johnson City and the surrounding areas. 

In addition to Axis Inc., Phillips and his wife also own three additional companies, including a national touring company that represents three of the largest touring artists in the world. 

“Although we work on a national level, we bring these tax dollars back to Johnson City,” Phillips says. “My wife and I try to bring that money and put it right back into the Johnson City community and into local organizations that help those in the area. We try to give back to the community as much as we can.”