Christopher Farago

Experience

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  Florida Blue

  Feb 2001 - Apr 2007

  Site Leader

  • Managed proprietary 24/7 staff responsible for maintaining the safety and physical building security of approximately 5,000 employees housed in the Enterprise Data Center and ten satellite offices throughout the state of Florida.• Planned, organized and delegated the work of 6 subordinate leaders and 40 safety and security employees.• Responsibilities included conducting staff evaluations, performance reviews, corrective actions, and coaching.• Lead various two-way communication meetings and training classes. • Completed monthly and quarterly reports for budget and auditing purposes. • Maintained personnel payroll time and labor records. • Created and implemented departmental standard operating procedures and policy. Show less

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  The MIR Group

  Apr 2008 - May 2013

  Event Operations Director / Marketing Strategist

  • Plan and implement housing and marketing events to include college and university housing fairs, off campus marketing campaigns, and on site tenant appreciation events• Conducted formal presentations to companies, organizations, potential tenants, and employees for temporary and extended housing for special events• Develop strategies to generate interest and increase company client volume through strategic event marketing and brand positioning• Targeted both offline and online consumers by designing a multi-pronged and comprehensive marketing strategy• Managed project deadlines and monitored milestones through completion stage• Boosted website traffic by 54% by creating an integrated social media strategy.• Created and implemented a company marketing campaign to include web, print, and advertising media.• Managed project deadlines and monitored milestones through completion stage.• Boosted website traffic by 54% by creating an integrated social media strategy.• Created and implemented a company marketing campaign to include web, print, and advertising media• Responsible for workforce preparation and management for events• Implemented, managed, and executed transition change of operations and systems to include training through roll-out• Manage operational and cost risks • Improve operational performance through Six Sigma strategies Show less

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  Scuba Extreme Adventure Sports & Travel

  May 2008 - Apr 2010

  Events Director

  • Create marketing campaigns to meet or exceed retail and travel sales goals• Coordinate travel and vendors for domestic and international events • Produce marketing and sales events to attract business clients and customers• Manage staff responsible for event coordination activities• Coordinate details of events such as international conferences, trade shows • Hire, train, and educate staff on proper event procedures• Calculate event budgets and adjust when necessary• Book venues and negotiate fees• Drive attendance to the events• Promote the event using flyers, cold calling, and social media as examples of ways to spark attention.• Analyze event performance and prepare metrics presentation.• Provide final event approval. Show less

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  Ripple Effect Foundation

  May 2010 - Jan 2013

  Executive Director

  • Responsible for the implementation of policies and programs as established by the Board of Directors. • Discover member service activities, such as training and outreach services. • Identify and implement revenue-generating activities, as appropriate prepare proposals including scope of work, negotiate services and execute contracts. • Conduct oversight of managing directors to include volunteer services, events, and finance.• Provide final approval on financing and events process.• Plan prepare and manage events to include concert production, volunteer management, vendor management, and marketing coordination. - Produced benefit resulting in over $7000 going to regional charities 2010- Dress A Girl Around the World Program 2012- Assisted displaced fire victims 2011 - 2012 Show less

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  One Spark, Inc.

  Feb 2013 - Apr 2014

  Leadership Council - Group Volunteer Coordinator

  • Leadership Council for the 2013 and 2014 festivals•. Responsible for securing group volunteers from various companies and organizations for the 2014 One Spark Festival• Initiate contact and continue on-going communications with company and organization leadership responsible for volunteer groups.• Manage group accounts and remain as point of contact. • Coordinate group volunteers during festivals• Manage and coordinate Technical Crew during festivals

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  Elance

  Mar 2013 - Apr 2015

  Freelance Event Marketing Consultant

  • Tiered in the top 1% of business writers, top 20% in advertising, and top 30% in customer service on Elance.com.• Consult in areas focusing in marketing, social media, live events, business development, and nonprofit. • Contract work included copy writing, market research, policy and procedure, and corporate improvement consulting, and promotions• Produced marketing campaigns based on client needs to include print and social media as well as target advertising• Individual bidding process. Show less

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  Jacksonville Jaguars

  May 2013 - Dec 2015

  Fan Services Supervisor

  • Responsible for maintaining high quality fan services and game day operations. • Supervise staff of sixteen Jaguar employees in premium areas and field management.• Monitor and ensure production of contractors in catering, security, housekeeping, and hospitality staff in the premium club areas to meet guest needs.• Maintain a high level of customer service and problem resolution. • Respond accordingly to emergencies and issues as needed.• Manage Special Events teams

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  Sight & Sound Productions

  Sept 2014 - Jun 2019

  Assists the Director of Project Management to build best in class customer experiences by guiding and leading members of the Project Management team and the operations that support the customer experience. This includes coordinating overall event operations from conception to completion by partnering with all departments and support staff, managing communications, and directing the appropriate teams. Responsibilities: Deploy customer experience best practices and recommendations to our business partners and colleagues to ensure continuous improvement.Create a listening infrastructure between internal organizational groups that includes an end to end customer journeys, customer feedback, and other customer data resources. Partner closely with production, sales, and operations teams to implement best practices as well as supporting communications Continually support innovation and creativity to stay relevant and competitive in the industry. Attend and direct meetings that provide an open dialogue for process improvement. Implement strategic customer service initiatives to enhance the production of our event and the overall client experience. Event Management:Oversee all team members, vendors, and freelancers for the assigned event.Assist with booking all events including issuing contracts and collecting fees.Provide client consultation to ensure the goals and expectations of an event are enacted during the logistical planning stages.Work with the department heads and leads through the various event stages. Personally attend or schedule Project Managers or Project Coordinators to be present for all events scheduled during or outside of normal work hours. Key Relationships: Direct reporting responsibility to the Director of Project Management Dotted line leader of Operations and Production. Reports-out improvements and performance to the leadership team. Functional areas including Production, Marketing, Operations, and Sales teams Show less Production Management • Successfully plan, coordinate, and deliver client’s event vision from initial planning to execution• Manage all field operations to include production crews, union techs, and vendor operators• Communicate and fulfill requirements of talent technical and hospitality riders• Produce and manage all aspects of corporate meetings, awards banquets, festivals, concerts, television, and other various national live events• Maintain positive open communication with venue CSM, event planners, and in-house AV contacts at various venues internationally• Attend/oversee meetings and production teams precon and during events• Maintain strong relationships and collaborate with production teams • Recommend the appropriate production elements in meeting client vision.• Showcase innovative and creative ideas and push the standards of the industry• Maintain clean driving and background for access to various military and special security venues Account Management • Develop and maintain collaborative long-term relationships with clients • Drive event and rental opportunities through successful lead generation • Drive volume growth by meeting and exceeding quarterly goals• Maintain open and continuous communications with client base Vendor Management and Relationship • Influencing vendor performance and execution within assigned accounts • Coordinate and align with vendor organizations to meet client needs• Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendor managers • Build active account mediation with vendors for repeat clients and events • Leverage account knowledge and relationships with vendors Fiscal Responsibility and Planning • Commitment to fiscal discipline including adherence to company guidelines pertaining to company credit card and purchase orders• Maintain fiscal discipline and adherence corporate guidelines• Create positive profit opportunities through upsell offers while providing appropriate production requirements Show less

  • Assistant Director Project Management

    Apr 2018 - Jun 2019

  • Project Manager/Event Producer

    Sept 2014 - Apr 2018
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  Stage Creations Events

  Aug 2019 - now

  Director Event Operations | Managing Partner

  Client Engagement: Act as the primary point of contact for clients, understanding their needs, objectives, and vision for each event. Build and maintain strong client relationships by providing exceptional service and addressing client concerns promptly.Project Management: Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of all aspects of events, including budgeting, timeline management, and resource allocation. Develop and manage project timelines, ensuring all milestones are met and deliverables are of the highest quality.Creative Direction: Collaborate with creative teams to develop innovative event concepts and themes that align with client goals. Oversee the creative development process, from event design to content creation and entertainment selection.Production Oversight: Manage all logistical aspects of event production, including vendor selection and negotiation, IATSE contracting and onsite management, site selection, artist booking, and equipment procurement. Ensure that all technical and production elements run smoothly, including lighting, sound, staging, and AV. Conduct festival and concert planning to include solidifying touring artist tech and hospitality advancements. Maintain current working knowledge of constantly changing industry standards in the AV, decor', and entertainment sectors Budget Control: Develop and manage event budgets, tracking expenses, and making necessary adjustments to ensure profitability. Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising the quality of the event.Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of event professionals, fostering a collaborative and creative work environment. Delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively, ensuring that team members are motivated and productive.Quality Assurance: Implement quality control measures to ensure that all aspects of events meet or exceed client expectations. Conduct post-event evaluations to identify areas for improvement and implement changes accordingly. Show less