Crowd rocks out at Best Places to Work event

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Krystle Morey | Albany Business Review

Megan Rogers

Reporter- Albany Business Review

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Tina LaPoint and her co-workers at Auto/Mate Dealership Systems wore their company's philosophy on their sleeves at the Albany Business Review's Best Places to Work event Friday afternoon.

Employees wore Hawaiian shirts, leis and bright colors to symbolize the company's focus on Ohana, the Hawaiian word meaning 'sense of family.'

"We're fun," says LaPoint, who has worked at Auto/Mate Dealership Systems for four years. "We work hard, but we try to have fun."

Part of that fun are the barbecues (even in November), Hawaiian-themed lunches, and weekend events (like a wine tour and trip to New York City). Employees are also there for their co-workers during tough times. When Hurricane Irene flooded some houses, co-workers teamed up to help with clean-up and raise money for repairs.

Auto/Mate Dealership Systems, which develops software for car dealerships, was one of thirty companies recognized as the area's Best Places to Work. All thirty companies can be found here.

The companies are selected based on responses to survey from Quantum Workplace of Omaha, Nebraska, that asks about employees about their relationship with co-workers and senior leaders, manager effectiveness, and whether they feel valued.

More than 550 people gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn Friday to celebrate their companies. A majority identified their coworkers as the top reason their company is the best place to work.

"All my life experiences -- weddings, births, deaths -- that family went through with me," says Karen Curry, who has worked at CAP COM Federal Credit Union for 29 years. "They actually care. I love getting up in the morning and going to my job."

Megan reports breaking news and covers education.