Ryan Kruger Email & Phone Number

Toronto, On, Ca

Edmonton, Alberta, Ca

Proud to be part of the incredible team at the Edmonton Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) as Vice President, Festivals & Events. It's an honor to collaborate with such talented professionals, building world-class events that bring people together and create lasting memories. Excited for what’s ahead as we continue to innovate and elevate the live entertainment experience!

I founded and lead Canada's premier entertainment and lifestyle consulting agency, specializing in innovative event production and strategic business operations.Key Consulting Achievements:Event Creation and Management:Created and oversaw the Snow Magic and Northern Lights events at Ontario Place and Exhibition Place during COVID-19 shutdowns in Toronto, generating over $2M in revenue and attracting 75,000+ attendees.Interim Leadership:Served as Interim CEO of a hemp cigarette company during its IPO, successfully leading the executive search for a permanent CEO.Business Operations and Development:Held the Head of Business Operations and Development position for The MRG Group, a company with 16 entertainment venues and 1,000+ concerts annually across Canada.Impact:Through visionary leadership and strategic execution, I have established my agency as a leader in the entertainment and lifestyle sector, driving significant revenue growth and delivering exceptional event experiences.

Las Vegas, Nevada, Us

I directed the ideation, design, and construction of the entertainment and event components of a 200,000 sq. ft. immersive entertainment complex, establishing AREA15 as a premier destination in Las Vegas.Key Achievements:Leadership and Vision:Directed the ideation, design, and construction of the entertainment and event components of AREA15, transforming it into a top-tier immersive entertainment destination in Las Vegas.Budget Management:Managed a comprehensive build and operational budget exceeding $20M, ensuring fiscal responsibility and strategic allocation of resources.Team Leadership:Recruited and led a multidisciplinary team across marketing, sales, talent & event management, and food & beverage operations, driving cohesive collaboration and operational excellence.Strategic Planning:Developed and executed strategic plans integrating innovative entertainment concepts to enhance visitor experiences and increase revenue streams.Impact:By combining visionary leadership with strategic financial and operational management, I successfully established AREA15 as a groundbreaking entertainment complex that delivers unique and engaging experiences, while driving significant revenue growth.

I helped lead the multi-million dollar development and launch of the exclusive Further Future Music Festival in the Mojave Desert in 2015 and 2016. This invitation-only event catered to senior executives and founders from the tech and entertainment industries.Key Achievements:Leadership and Vision:Helped spearhead the creation and execution of the Further Future Music Festival, managing all operational aspects from inception to completion.Core Principles Development:Helped develop and instill the core principles of Stewardship, Mutual Respect, Exploration & Discovery, Intellectual Curiosity, Creative Expression, and Diversification, fostering a unique and impactful event culture.Operational Excellence:Ensured seamless execution of all festival operations, delivering a high-quality experience that aligned with the event's ethos and attracted top-tier participants.Impact:By combining strategic vision with meticulous execution, I helped create an unparalleled festival experience that resonated deeply with industry leaders and set a new standard for exclusive, high-caliber events

Beverly Hills, California, Us

I spearheaded the creation and launch of Live Nation Canada’s electronic dance division, with a mission to deliver world-class electronic music events in major Canadian markets, focusing particularly on Toronto.Key Achievements:Digital Dreams Music Festival:Launched and expanded the festival from 25,000 attendees in its inaugural year (2012) to 75,000 by year three. Achieved a 100% annual revenue increase, with the festival becoming profitable in its second year.Event Creation and Execution:Developed and executed large-scale events, securing over $500,000 in government grants and over $1 million in annual sponsorships. Strategically planned, booked performers, and managed events with attendance reaching up to 75,000. Successfully executed over 30 large-scale events annually, including major tours and one-off events.Additional Festivals:Created the Brrrrr! Winter Music Festival in Toronto (2013).Co-created the IleSoniq Music Festival in Montreal (2014).Notable Events:Organized major events such as The Swedish House Mafia One Last Tour, AVICII, and Armin Van Buuren's Armin Only Tour. Managed events at prominent venues including The Rogers Centre, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Canadian National Exhibition, and The International Centre.Impact:Under my leadership, Live Nation Canada's electronic dance division became a powerhouse in the industry, consistently delivering top-tier events and significantly growing our audience and revenue base. My strategic vision and execution capabilities have ensured the sustained success and expansion of our festivals and events.

I founded Destiny Event Productions in 1993, the largest and longest-running independent producer of electronic music events in Canada, renowned for its legacy and impact on the electronic music scene.Key Achievements:Event Production:Produced over 800 concerts, club nights, and festivals with attendance reaching up to 20,000 people.Festival Founding:Founded the World Electronic Music Festival (wemf.com) and The Cutting Edge Music Festival (cemf.com).International Expansion:Co-founded the Vujaday Music Festival in Barbados, expanding Destiny's influence to the international stage.Impact:Through its innovative approach and dedication to the electronic music community, Destiny has solidified its position as a pioneering force in the industry, continuously delivering memorable and high-quality events.

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

Breakaway was Canada's largest student leisure travel company, serving over 22,000 student travelers annually. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of TUI Travel PLC, the largest travel company in the world, Breakaway played a significant role in the student travel sector.Key Achievements:Leadership and Growth:As President, I drove a 30% increase in revenue and a 20% increase in passenger count, leading the TUI Student Travel sector in year-over-year revenue and passenger growth.Team Management:Led a team of 30 full-time employees and a sales force of over 500 student sales representatives across the country.Strategic Excellence:Successfully managed a division comprising more than 10 companies with combined revenues exceeding $200M.Impact:Through strategic leadership and effective team management, I propelled Breakaway to the forefront of the student travel industry, achieving significant growth in both revenue and passenger numbers and setting new benchmarks within the TUI Student Travel sector.

I Developed and account managed national brand marketing programs and special events for two of the firms largest clients, Labatt Breweries of Canada and Sony Canada. Labatt projects included Labatt Blue, Budweiser, Bud Light, Kokanee, Abosut Cut, Stella Artois and Shok while Sony projects covered the MP3 Walkman and Vaio. Both clients required creation of new and unique strategies for both brand growth as well as launch strategies for brands not yet on the market targeting the 16-35 age segment.Most programs required hiring, training and management of multiple project teams in all provinces for simultaneous program operation as well as direct responsibility for overall program budgets, media planning and supplier negotiations. I exceeded margin targets for all programs in 2004 and 2005 by an average of 50% and had direct budgetary oversight of $2M+ each year.

Mba, Marketing And Entrepreneurial Studies

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Arts & Media Marketing