Chris Pickering Email & Phone Number

Family owned and operated, Pickering Events LLC brings together decades of proven experience and international award-winning expertise in facility, events, and fairgrounds management. Pickering Events believes that event attendance is a direct reflection of community inclusion and works with local promoters and community groups to deliver iconic cultural experiences, LGBTQ+ programming, and accessible events.Managing the 91-acre Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio, CA.Producing:• Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival• Indio International Tamale FestivalClients:• County of Riverside• City of Indio• California State Fair & Exposition• Sonoma County Fair

IAFE is an international trade association consisting of more than 1,100 Fairs and Expositions around the world, along with another 900 allied members. The Zone 8 Chair represents Alaska, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Lynden, Washington, United States

• Oversaw day-to-day operations for a 501(c)3 non-profit fair association• Managed 10 year-round employees, 12 Association board members, and 10 Foundation board members• Created annual budget of $4M+, including projecting expenses and revenues• Managed website and all social platforms, creating international award-winning marketing campaigns• Led development of an expanded annual fair from six days to ten• Successfully moved livestock exhibits away from food areas to combat biohazard risks• Developed a new free kids play area during fair, including interactive exhibits and stage performances• Expanded alcohol service areas, introducing a wine garden and speakeasy• Created two all-day music festivals featuring classic rock and country• Transitioned to online-only ticket sales during the pandemic• Instituted promotional First Responders Day and Kids Free Day to supplement existing Military Day• Introduced affordable Season Pass to encourage repeat visits based on survey data• Implemented a mobile app, using BlueTooth beacons to track guest movement and push sponsor messages• Submitted RFPs and reviewed bids for sound, stage, lighting, and ticketing providers• Booked national acts including Old Dominion, Eli Young Band, and Nelly• Designed implementation for a contactless RFID payment system for food and beverage• Oversaw construction of a $1M+ agriculture exhibit, connecting design team, architect, and contractors• Conducted long range strategic planning, including new pathways, recovered green space, and stormwater runoff mitigations• Collaborated with city officials to receive state ecology grant

Lynden, Wa

Train in all duties and responsibilities of the Manager. Assist in planning of annual event (August 12-17, 2019) and management of year-round events. Coordinated 142 commercial vendors and 41 food concessionaires.

Visit Bellingham, Washington and the surrounding Whatcom County for abundant nature, outdoor adventure and sweeping scenery from the Salish Sea to Mt. Baker and North Cascades National Park. Enjoy farm to table menus, craft brews, family moments, a vibrant arts scene and charming historical treasures.

Sacramento, California Area

• Created promotional flash-sale strategy resulting in 119% increase year-over-year• Organized California fair CEOs to successfully support the passage of new funding legislation• Collaborated with legislative coalitions to successfully promote voter approval of a new bond• Planned and successfully executed 4-day annual conventions, including programming, developing marketing timeline, and addressing issues as they arose during the event• Increased member engagement through ‘#FairFace’ promotion and implementation of a mobile app• Participated in annual Board of Directors strategic planning sessions, conducting SWOT analyses,reviewing the budget, recapping convention, and determining goals for the year• Provided monthly reports to 16-member California Fairs Alliance Board and 11-member Service Member Board, with quarterly reports to 21-member WFA Board• Responsible for all communications including magazines, newsletters, directories, website, advertising, and social media presence; increased ad sales and won industry awards for website

Sydney, Australia

Served in the Rozelle office handling ambulance customer billing inquiries.- Limited Work Visa

San Francisco, Ca

• Identified challenges of 60-100 small business owners per day• Demonstrated value of product offering and overcame objections• Sold software as a service subscriptions to dental offices nationwide via telephone• Managed schedule to accommodate potential customers across various time zones• Regularly exceeded sales targets; promoted from Lead Development Representative after 3 months

Pleasanton, Ca

Evaluated consumer and small business clients’ financial health through in-person interviews and recommended appropriate products and services, including external referrals as necessary.

Vallejo, Ca

• Served as Platoon Sergeant, managing twenty soldiers including medical readiness, fitness, technical expertise, and basic soldiering tasks; coached several soldiers to promotion and selection for higher service• Responsible for over seven million dollars of equipment, including vehicles, laboratories, and consumable items• Participated on Commander’s Counsel, offering subject matter expertise and guidance on company-level (100+ soldiers) operations• Obtained expertise in chemical, biological, radiological & nuclear defense

Middle East

• Led a team of satellite communications soldiers in 24-hour operations, maintaining over 98% “up time”throughout mission in a combat zone• Operated three mobile satellite dishes simultaneously in conjunction with US Air Force, US Navy, andcivilian contractor personnel; facilitated tours for visiting Generals• Held Secret level security clearance throughout Army career, regularly handling classified information• Awarded Army Commendation Medal for exemplary service

Palo Alto, Ca

• Began career as a Seasonal Sales hire, promoting to a permanent sales position, promoted again to a higher volume sales department, then promoted to Assistant Customer Service Manager; took over as Interim Customer Service Manager until called to active service for a combat deployment• Directly managed eleven staff; responsible for sales performance of 60-100 employees (varying by season)• Trained all new-hires on Nordstrom's famed customer service standards• Organized annual customer appreciation night, hosting highest-level customers by providing entertainment, food and beverage, and unparalleled service from invitation to follow-up• Created unique ranking system, achieving the store-wide annual credit card sales goal by the end of Q3• Completed the prestigious Future Nordstrom Leader program• Oversaw store-wide technology upgrades, from education to implementation• Regularly exceeded sales goals

Mountain View, Ca

• Led 120 soldiers to graduation at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School as Student FirstSergeant; responsible for timeliness, accountability, and personal presentation• Served as a Psychological Operations Specialist, excelling in persuading target audiences• Recognized as ‘best soldier on team’ during Joint Operation Key Resolve/Foal Eagle in Korea

San Mateo, Ca

Founded and developed the Guest Services Department, drafting standard operating procedures for guest services principles, lost and found procedures, lost child protocols, and responses to common inquiries. Managed staff of 28 while handling highest level customer concerns. Designed and implemented an innovative digital experience to educate and entertain guests. Guest presenter at national conference on the use of technology to enhance guest experiences.

Pleasanton, Ca

Managed a team of 26 in day to day operations, including addressing guest inquiries, lost and found, and lost child operations. Performed staffing and scheduling duties while handling highest level customer concerns.- Summer position; began in Youth Ambassador program

Management, With Honors

Education record

The International Association of Fairs & Expositions' Institute of Fair Management is designed to enhance the professional development.

Master Of Science - Ms, Integrated Design, Business, And Technology

Conceived as an educational startup, the USC Iovine and Young Academy is not just a home for disruptors but a disruptor itself. Its model.