Chris launched his career in the event industry in 2006 by volunteering at events such as Ookfest and the Big Valley Jamboree. After graduating from the Digital & Interactive Media Design program at NAIT with a 4.0 GPA, he further earned the ‘Jimmie Condon Scholarship’ for his volunteer work with the NAIT Hockey Team in his years there. More recently in 2014, Chris was celebrated as a “Sizzling 20 Under 30” by Edmontonian’s Magazine. The Sizzlers represent the best of the best of young adults who are as dedicated to causes as they are to careers. They are the products of Edmonton’s colleges, universities and life’s experiences – driven by the need to succeed and to give back.
As one of the ‘founding fathers’ of Trixstar, Chris has produced and managed many nationally acclaimed events such as the Big Valley Jamboree, Grey Cup Festival, Soundtrack Music Festival, Red Bull Crashed Ice, Jasper Dark Sky Festival, nation-wide tours with William Shatner, Kenny vs Spenny & Dog the Bounty Hunter, and much more! His expertise on event marketing and social media was also put to use in starting up Jackalope Creative; a festival marketing agency.
Always one to put others before him, Chris was a volunteer at the Connect Society from 2009-2016 as a teacher’s aide and mentoring pre-school children with disabilities as a big brother. He now sits on the Make-A-Wish Medical Outreach Committee and helped host monthly Workshops at both the Ronald McDonald House and the Stollery Children’s Hospital while in Edmonton, as well as put on milestone events for Make-A-Wish like World Wish Day and the annual Halloween party for the kids and families at RMH. Through Make-A-Wish he also created Craft Kits full of inspirational craft ideas and materials encouraging kids stuck in isolation at Childrens Hospitals to think creatively and with an open mind.
Since moving to Calgary Chris has joined up with 100 Men Who Give A Damn, and is volunteering as an Assistant Coach with various sporting programs with the Special Olympics.