Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Haddad
Hi Chris, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My love for the event industry kicked off in college, thanks to St. Edward’s digital media program. Back then, they had classes focused on the music, film, and gaming industries, which was basically a dream lineup. I was taking event management courses where the whole class revolved around creating and hosting an actual event. We landed on Momos on West 6th as our venue, pulled in some awesome local sponsors and bands, and even threw in a silent auction for good measure. It was the kind of hands-on experience that gave me the passion and fire to keep an open mind that producing events could be an actual profession after college. At 19, trying to figure out life, it was a refreshing and fun thought.
After college, I jumped into the industry as a Junior Talent Buyer for Direct Events and later took on talent buying for Maggie Mae’s on 6th St. for a couple of years. Talent buying is way harder than perceived. Competing with other venues and having restrictions on larger artists. Working around minimum margins and needing to hit those ticket sales. A lot of it is calculated gambling, where losses can and will happen. These challenges helped me to see the event industry’s true colors. It’s an absolute grind and a lot of the time, it isn’t pretty. I launched Evidence Entertainment with my now best friend Ben Losasso, specializing in event production for F1 clients. We learned so much with that company. How to collect bids, how to properly network and get equipment vendors on your side, how to work 20 hours a day without complaining. Heads down, just getting the job done. Austin in those early F1 years? Absolute madness. The energy was insane, the scene was fire, and we were right in the middle of it all.
A few years later, I teamed up with my current business partner, Sean Krenek who was in the same digital media program with me at St. Ed’s — to start HK Stages. Did we know exactly what we were doing? Absolutely not. But we did know one thing: owning our own event gear instead of outsourcing was the way to go. So we dove in, and we’ve been reinvesting in gear ever since.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been anything but a smooth ride. The event industry is brutal. You need to remain super competitive while at the same time staying cordial and professional with your competitors. It’s a very small group of event professionals in Austin. Everyone knows each other. Keeping those bridges built is paramount.
COVID devastated the industry. Those 2 years were so rough. We had zero work. And when I mean zero, I mean zero. We got lucky and were able to bunker down and survive. A lot of companies didn’t make it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We specialize in event equipment rental and production. We are known to have a great crew and quality gear. I am most proud of owning a small business and being able to maintain and operate that business for the past decade. What sets us apart? Loyalty. Be good to us, treat us with respect, and we will have your back for life.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Grind harder. Retire early. Love each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hkstages.com
- Instagram: @hkstages
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hkstages
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-haddad-03751520/
