Zachary Carson Email & Phone Number

Oakland , Ca, Us

Imaginal specializes in crafting transformative campaigns that infuse values and impact into the very core of your entire business ecosystem. Our initiatives are designed to fortify a resilient and unwavering brand identity firmly rooted in the shared values that align your brand, your customers and your employees.Imaginal has spent decades collaborating around the world in the design and production of high-impact, purpose-driven events, political campaigns, boutique festivals, thought leadership conferences and experiential marketing programs. We are experts in crafting extraordinary experiences that educate, inspire and empower attendees, strengthen community, influence culture and become the genesis of lasting legacies. We offer a full range of strategy, design, and event production services that will reinforce a sense of community in your brand.

Oakland , Ca, Us

Oakland , Ca, Us

The Legacy Plane (TLP) is not just a storytelling tool - it’s a catalyst to understand and communicate transformation. Our innovative methods redefine storytelling by demonstrating how individual actions drive systemic change and challenge prevailing biases. By embedding the complexity of relationships and events into every story, we empower our clients to communicate their profound legacies and drive towards a future that truly reflects the systemic changes they are a part of.

Oakland , Ca, Us

Partnered with the venture capital firm, NFX, to develop the brand, concept and ultimately produce SOLSTICE, an annual retreat for their global network of 150 founders and other high-powered minds. The retreats were intended to inspire self-care and awareness, build community and cultivate connections to the planet, an inspiring new approach to leadership training designed in partnership between Imaginal and NFX.These events took place in beautiful, remote nature-based locations, which required a ground-up production consisting of building every element: glamping, kitchens, power, bathrooms/showers, stages, lounges, lighting, tenting, etc. Imaginal managed all aspects including: site design, budget, vendors, venue, staffing, transportation, content, entertainment, scheduling, activities, F/B, legal, etc.

Oakland , Ca, Us

Produced an off-the-grid 6-day retreat for 350 attendees in the desert outside Death Valley, CA. Managed the entire production including: site design, vendor management, power/water/waste systems, operations team, travel, lighting, tenting, etc.

Oakland , Ca, Us

Produced a full-day media event and network Gala in Sonoma, CA for 75 top cultivators and businesses in the Cannabis industry.Managed the entire production including: venue selection and management, site design, vendor management, catering, operations, staffing, lodging, lighting, entertainment, etc

Oakland , Ca, Us

Oakland , Ca, Us

Produced a three-day conference in Denver, CO for 400 of the top marketing executives and brands in the Cannabis industry. The event consisted of three stages for workshops and panels, tradeshow and brand showcase, media center, happy hour celebrations, VIP dinner events, off-site parties and more.Imaginal managed the entire production including: venue selection and management, site design, vendor management, A/V, F&B, operations, staffing, trade-show design and management, entertainment, lighting, etc.

Oakland , Ca, Us

Produced weekly virtual webinar events showcasing a global network of leading attorneys and policy makers in the cannabis industry. Produced a network Gala in Las Vegas bringing together 400 members of the association and additional stakeholders. Responsibilities included: building the organizational structure between all stakeholders, designing and managing systems for onboarding, training, asset intake, and promotions, and designing and managing all online technical components to produce the virtual events; managing all aspects of the Gala event in Las Vegas

Oakland , Ca, Us

For three years, Imaginal organized a global network of sustainability experts across a variety of industries to share their experiences, expertise and visions for the more responsible cannabis industry. In 2020, produced a (5) day virtual symposium with over 150 speakers. In 2021, produced (2) 2-day symposiums with over 40 speakers and a monthly series of panels with over 50 speakers throughout the year. Responsibilities included: content design, talent recruitment, building the organizational structure between all stakeholders, designing and managing systems for onboarding, training, asset intake, and promotions, managing graphic design, and designing and managing all online technical components to produce the virtual events

Oakland , Ca, Us

Managed the launch of various Cannabis certificate programs within university continuing education programs by hosting virtual career fairs in various locations across the country.Responsibilities included: building the organizational structure between all stakeholders, developing and maintaining vendor and sponsor relationships, recruiting speakers, building schedules, designing and managing all online technical components to produce the virtual events, registration, PR, etc.

Oakland , Ca, Us

Working for Willie Nelson’s cannabis and natural products brands, Imaginal developed various immersive environments for trade shows, festivals and political lobbying designed to build culture, educate attendees, showcase products and grow brand loyalty.

Zach helped build the brand and operations for Northern California's newest outdoor venue perfect for corporate retreats, conferences, weddings or any event. Located just over two hours from San Francisco, this 80+ acre ranch is a true hidden gem. With lodging accommodations for 26 in cottages and 80+ in glamping tents, your guests can be fully immersed in their experience. The ranch features various large outdoor areas for gatherings, a historic saloon, a pond for swimming, sweeping views of the valley, vineyards, and more. This private venue is perfect for multi-day events of all types and we are very excited to open our doors and share all its magic.

During the onset of Covid, our government and health systems failed miserably. It was nearly impossible to purchase any PPE supplies, and there was no consistent leadership establishing protocols for safe usage of these materials.In response, Zach sourced PPE supplies direct from manufacturers in China, sold bulk quantities of all necessary PPE, developed operational distribution systems for schools and businesses to safely re-open their facilities. Partnered with the New York Chamber of Commerce and the National Charter School Association, and became a leading voice in safe, efficient and affordable PPE programs, signage and material purchasing.

Redwood Valley, California, Us

At the turn of legalization, as Flow Kana’s Director of Events and Partnerships, Zach led California’s largest cannabis company in their efforts to embrace sun-grown and regenerative practices, support small farmers and fight for more equitable legislation. In this position, Zach was responsible for introducing cannabis, and more-so, sustainable cannabis, into the mainstream by pioneering major event sponsorship, retailer incentive programs, brand launches, political campaigns and farmer awareness programs.Developed and directed the experiential marketing department, including company-wide strategy, team building, budgets, legal processes, SOP’s and acted as executive producer and MC of all experiential marketing activations, trade shows, festivals, private events, conferences, cannabis events and built the creative around the B2C brand identity.Developed high-level partnerships in the entertainment, cannabis and natural food industries to bring main-stream value and exposure to the brand.Built a lean team, processes and infrastructure needed to manage state-wide experiential activations (10-15/month), sponsorship campaigns (3-5 events/month), trade shows (2-3/yr), management of (2) venues (10-20 events/yr) cannabis retail events (3-4/yr) and state-wide budtender campaigns (15-20 events/yr).Developed operations, vendor program, strategy and executive produced events at two company-owned venues: Solar Living Center and Flow Cannabis Institute

Redwood Valley, California, Us

Redwood Valley, California, Us

Developed on online marketplace intended to foster business connections between underutilized nature-based land assets and customers seeking leases or individual bookings on these properties Designed the brand, marketing and communication assets, project managed the technology team from inception to launch, managed all business development and marketing strategy.Cultivated national institutional partnerships with Boy Scouts of America, American Camping Association, Ted Turner Expeditions; created online marketing strategy, all marketing communications, newsletters, sales management, website development and social media marketing.

Irving, Tx, Us

Brought sustainability to the Boy Scouts of America, authoring their first-ever industry-wide Sustainability Report as well as a Sustainable Operations Guidebook for camp owners. Consulted on BSA’s five-year strategy to become more sustainable and relevant to youth.Visited over 40 camps across the US to assess the state of BSA camps and developed internal and external communications on the current state of business at camps.

Founding partner in Inner Mission SF, a fully licensed, multi-use, 15,000 square ft. entertainment venue that hosted live music, DJ, dance, performance, theater, and community eventsLed the campaign to make it the first B-Corp certified music venue in the country while partnering with primarily B-Corp service providers, products and non-profit organizations. Additional responsibilities included: managing pre-production, staffing, bar management, business development, sustainability, city zoning and permits.

Executive Director of the Sustainable Living Roadshow, a touring group of educators, activists and entertainers that toured the country in a caravan of biofuel buses, and set up off-the-grid eco-villages at colleges and festivals. Imagine a dynamic mesh between Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Electric Kool-aid Acid Test - but focused on sustainability! The Roadshow was one of the first platforms that brought regional and national awareness about climate change to the mainstream, while also empowering people with solutions by highlighting sustainability information, technologies, brands, organizations and campaigns in a fun, approachable and inclusive manner. Directed, managed and produced (7) national tours, (5) regional tours and (1) international tour featuring 15-35 people traveling in a caravan to produce 200+ mainstream events and festivals aimed at sustainability education.Responsibilities included: Brand development, business and financial planning and management, sponsorship and fundraising (+$500,000 Annual Sponsorship; +$100,000 donations); production management, tour management, booking, staff management, partnerships, content curation, etc

As the categories for sustainable products, brands and consumer demand emerged, Zach built an experiential marketing agency to support values-driven companies. Worked with leading companies in the Natural Products and Outdoor Retail industries to create regional and national brand and product activations and CSR campaigns within mainstream, influential events. Clients included: Dr Bronners, Organic Valley, Numi Tea, Klean Kanteen, Guayaki, Nature's Path, Mary's Gone Crackers, Living Intentions, New Chapter, Birkenstock, Livity, Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada and more.Consulted with festivals, colleges and organizations to develop their own sponsorship departments, recruit sponsors and develop activation strategies for events, becoming a bridge between mainstream events and conscious consumer brands.

Produced Right2Know March, a 16-day march from Brooklyn, NY to Washington DC. With up to 500 marchers over 320 miles, hosted daily events and culminated with a festival outside the White House. Managed all mini-events in each community along the route, managed march logistics, produced major launch and culmination festivals.Managed the grassroots marketing and event campaigns for CA Proposition 37, California’s ballot to require mandatory labeling for GMOs. Responsibilities included: organizing a grassroots campaign in Northern California, developing and producing 6-7 events per week for the three months leading up to the elections, fundraising and volunteer management.

In the epic political saga of 2008, Obama vs McCain, I was disappointed neither the DNC or RNC were addressing sustainability at their conventions. So, I went to work, and after months of persistence, the DNC granted me three street blocks in Denver adjacent to the convention to host a sustainability street fair and the RNC granted me the capital mall in St Paul for a full-day sustainability festival, both as official partners of the DNC and RNC. Spearheading initiatives at both conventions, I championed the green crusade, turning political platforms into stages for environmental advocacy, emerging industries and leading brands. I was 26 years old, navigated partnerships with both political committees, negotiated permits with riot police and secret service, produced events on the largest stage in the country, and brought sustainability into the national spotlight. It was crazy. If you like wild stories, ask me about Rage Against the Machine at the RNC.

This is the project that launched my career. I converted a 24' Community Transit Bus to run on Recycled Vegetable Oil, converted the interior into an RV, and traveled from Vermont to California, through 25 states, over 15,000 miles on recycled vegetable oil, hosting workshops and presentations at festivals, schools, farmers markets and gatherings. The trip was sponsored by Seventh Generation, Chelsea Green Book Publishing and Dr Bronners.

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Sustainable Management And Leadership

Bachelor'S Degree, Ecological Design And International Sustainable Development

Conservation Biology

Leadership Semester, Leadership And Outdoor Guiding