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Private events contractor with over 13 years experience in the planning and facilitation of intimate and large-scale projects. I have been responsible for the leadership of departments with budget sizes up to $5M annually, and have led everything from intimate, 24hr summits with budgets exceeding $500k to music festivals for over 18k attendees. Having worked closely with internal teams and private contractors, I have also negotiated union agreements with values up to $10M. I am deeply adept at developing RFPs and analyzing responses, have worked deeply within the nonprofit and education sectors, and have a person background in the artistic world.…Private events contractor with over 13 years experience in the planning and facilitation of intimate and large-scale projects. I have been responsible for the leadership of departments with budget sizes up to $5M annually, and have led everything from intimate, 24hr summits with budgets exceeding $500k to music festivals for over 18k attendees. Having worked closely with internal teams and private contractors, I have also negotiated union agreements with values up to $10M. I am deeply adept at developing RFPs and analyzing responses, have worked deeply within the nonprofit and education sectors, and have a person background in the artistic world.

Chris Merkle

Production Manager, Project Manager, Music Producer, +6

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Private events contractor with over 13 years experience in the planning and facilitation of intimate and large-scale projects. I have been responsible for the leadership of departments with budget sizes up to $5M annually, and have led everything from intimate, 24hr summits with budgets exceeding $500k to music festivals for over 18k attendees. Having worked closely with internal teams and private contractors, I have also negotiated union agreements with values up to $10M. I am deeply adept at developing RFPs and analyzing responses, have worked deeply within the nonprofit and education sectors, and have a person background in the artistic world.…Private events contractor with over 13 years experience in the planning and facilitation of intimate and large-scale projects. I have been responsible for the leadership of departments with budget sizes up to $5M annually, and have led everything from intimate, 24hr summits with budgets exceeding $500k to music festivals for over 18k attendees. Having worked closely with internal teams and private contractors, I have also negotiated union agreements with values up to $10M. I am deeply adept at developing RFPs and analyzing responses, have worked deeply within the nonprofit and education sectors, and have a person background in the artistic world.

Available to hire

Private events contractor with over 13 years experience in the planning and facilitation of intimate and large-scale projects. I have been responsible for the leadership of departments with budget sizes up to $5M annually, and have led everything from intimate, 24hr summits with budgets exceeding $500k to music festivals for over 18k attendees. Having worked closely with internal teams and private contractors, I have also negotiated union agreements with values up to $10M. I am deeply adept at developing RFPs and analyzing responses, have worked deeply within the nonprofit and education sectors, and have a person background in the artistic world.

Skills

Set Design

Experience Level

Set Design

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Professional Leave

December 1, 2024 - February 1, 2026

Professional leave of absence due to personal medical issues.

Manager, Event Logistics at Atlanta Botanical Garden

May 1, 2024 - November 1, 2024

Led the process of translating the vision of external and internal clients into reality; trained and oversaw the production team responsible for facilitating all events; updated operational strategies to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Senior Associate, Member Experience at World 50 Group

February 1, 2024 - May 1, 2024

Led the planning and facilitation of networking summits for worldwide C-suite level executives; managed high-stakes 24-hour events with budgets up to $500k; identified and collaborated with top contractors nationwide.

Assistant Team Supervisor at Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)

July 1, 2023 - February 1, 2024

Worked with local partners to plan and facilitate vaccination events; identified trusted local individuals and institutions to maximize turnout; assisted families in signing up for government benefits.

General Manager at Oklahoma City Philharmonic

September 1, 2020 - November 1, 2021

Led a six-person team in planning and facilitating nearly two dozen large-scale projects with budgets over $100k; drafted and tracked the nearly $5M annual production and education budget; led pandemic safety adaptations; developed Education & Community Engagement program reaching 350,000+ individuals; coordinated staff, venue personnel, contractors, guest artists, volunteers, and a unionized musician body; negotiated complex contracts including a three-year union contract valued at nearly $10M.

Associate Director, Programming & Operations at Kennesaw State University, College of the Arts

October 1, 2019 - August 1, 2020

Facilitated day-to-day operations for the School of Music, including classes, lessons, rehearsals, performances, outside rentals, and a professional performing arts series; identified, negotiated with, and contracted major artists for a professional performance series; managed budgets for department productions, rentals, and presenting series with public/government funding considerations.

Director of Artistic Operations at Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus

July 1, 2015 - December 1, 2018

Planned and facilitated a professional orchestra season with ~20 performances; produced Picnic in the Park, a large outdoor production involving ~300 musicians and staff; managed fundraising and budgeting narratives; advised on nonprofit and artistic best practices.

Manager of Orchestral Operations (Seasonal Role) at Aspen Music Festival & School

May 1, 2015 - August 1, 2015

Trained and oversaw festival staff responsible for planning and facilitating over 300 events in three months; collaborated with premier faculty and guest artists; designed work assignments for 700+ artists.

Production Coordinator (Seasonal Role) at Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

April 1, 2013 - September 1, 2013

Advanced and facilitated nearly 45 large-scale performances; coordinated internal and external production needs, including labor, contractors, and rentals; ensured compliance with federal restrictions; negotiated and managed artist contracts.