Jared Wade

Vision

You know those moments when everything just clicks? When a project comes together, a team finds its groove, or an idea sparks something bigger? That's where I live. After twenty-plus years of bringing people together – from government communications to creative project leadership – I've learned that the best opportunities aren't just about what you do. They're about how you transform the everyday into something extraordinary.Let me share where I'm heading next. Each path below represents a sweet spot where my experience meets my passion for making good things great.Project Leadership & InnovationRemember that feeling when you finally solved a puzzle that seemed impossible? That's project management for me. At Vertical Studios, I've turned "we can't" into "we did" – with 100% on-time completion and a 75% boost in client retention. Because projects aren't just about timelines and budgets. They're about building trust, fostering innovation, and creating spaces where good ideas become great solutions.

• Project Leadership & Innovation

Experience Design & Event InnovationSeven hundred and fifty events. Each one a story. From intimate team workshops to full-scale productions for Salesforce and Apple, I've learned that the magic isn't in the agenda – it's in the moments between. Those unscripted interactions where real connections happen. Think of it as choreographing joy. Creating spaces where teams don't just meet – they collaborate.

• Experience Design & Event Innovation

Strategic Communications & Digital EngagementAs Communications Director for Avon, I didn't just manage messages – I transformed conversations. Boosted social media engagement by 25%. Rebuilt digital presence from the ground up. Turned government-speak into human language. These days, it's about more than just getting the message right. It's about creating inclusive, accessible communications that reach everyone.

• Strategic Communications & Digital Engagement

Innovation & AI IntegrationPlot twist: The tech enthusiast who spends weekends geeking out over AI and accessibility isn't just here for the gadgets. I'm here for the human side of technology. The way it can break down barriers, create connections, and make the impossible possible. Because the best technology isn't about replacing human interaction – it's about enhancing it.

• Innovation & AI Integration

Facilitation and Workshopping DesignThink of me as your professional conversation conductor, turning everyday meetings into moments of pure possibility. Fresh from earning my Workshopper Master certification, I create spaces where quiet voices get heard, tough challenges crack wide open, and teams discover their collective genius. Not just managing rooms – orchestrating breakthroughs.

• Facilitation and Workshopping Design

Looking for something more specific? Let's skip the corporate small talk and build something remarkable. Vision isn't just about seeing what's possible – it's about making it real. One lightbulb moment at a time.

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Project Leadership & Innovation

Some people collect stamps. I collect lightbulb moments.You know that feeling when all the pieces finally click? When a team stops just meeting and starts actually creating? That's my sweet spot. Twenty years of turning "impossible" into "done" has taught me that great project management isn't just about spreadsheets and timelines – though trust me, I've got those down to an art.From Entertainment to Innovation
Picture this: It's 2002, and I'm juggling sound equipment while coordinating with vendors, reading a crowd of 500, and making sure the next speaker hits their mark. Fast forward through 750+ events, partnerships with titans like Salesforce and Apple, and countless moments where "Plan B" became the real MVP.These days, at Vertical Studios, I'm still orchestrating those moments – just with bigger stages and higher stakes. That 100% on-time project completion rate? It's built on understanding that every deadline tells a story. That 75% boost in client retention? It comes from knowing that trust isn't just earned in board rooms – it's built in those late-night problem-solving sessions when we refuse to settle for "good enough."The Innovation Toolkit
In my world, project management looks a bit different:- Deadlines matter, but relationships matter more
- Every obstacle is just an opportunity wearing a disguise
- Success isn't just about what we deliver – it's about how we grow along the way
- The best solutions often come from the quietest voice in the roomMy latest passion? Making sure innovation doesn't leave anyone behind. That new web accessibility certification isn't just another acronym for the resume – it's about ensuring everyone gets a seat at the table.Let's Build Something Remarkable
Whether you're facing a complex challenge that needs untangling, a team that's ready to level up, or a vision that needs a path to reality – I'm here to help make it happen. Project management isn't just about getting things done. It's about making sure the journey is just as remarkable as the destination.

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Strategic Communications & Digital Engagement

Ever try explaining quantum physics to a kindergartener?Or getting teenagers excited about tax forms?That's what government communication often feels like. But here's the thing – it doesn't have to.Breaking Down the Bureaucracy
As Communications Director for the Town of Avon, I faced a challenge: How do you turn municipal minutiae into stories that matter? How do you make permit applications interesting? (Yes, really.)Turns out, the secret isn't just what you say – it's how you listen.That 25% boost in social media engagement? It started with understanding that behind every click, like, and share was a person looking for connection. Someone wanting to know how their town's decisions would affect their daily life. Their family. Their future.The Digital Difference
Here's what two decades in communications has taught me: Technology changes. Platforms evolve. But the core of great communication? That stays the same. It's about:- Finding the human story in the data
- Making complex ideas feel simple (but never simplistic)
- Building trust one interaction at a time
- Creating spaces where every voice mattersThese days, it's not enough to just get the message out. You need to make sure everyone can access it. That's why my new web accessibility certification isn't just about checking boxes. It's about opening doors.Let's Talk
Looking for someone who can transform corporate jargon into human language? Build digital strategies that actually work? Make your complex ideas easy to understand (without dumbing them down)?Let's skip the buzzwords and get to the good stuff. Great communication isn't about how loud you shout. It's about how well you listen. How clearly you explain. How deeply you connect.

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Experience Design & Event Innovation

Seven hundred and fifty events.Each one a story. But here's the thing – it was never about the numbers. It was about that moment when a crowded room suddenly feels intimate. When strangers become collaborators. When "just another corporate event" transforms into "remember when we...?"The Art of the Unexpected
Picture this: You're at an event. Could be a workshop, could be a conference. You're expecting the usual – PowerPoints, polite applause, people checking their phones under the table. But something's different. The energy. The engagement. The way ideas aren't just shared – they're sparked.That's my playground.Beyond the Basics
From intimate team sessions to full-scale productions for brands like Salesforce and Apple, I've learned that magic doesn't just happen. You craft it. Engineer it. Nurture it. One thoughtful detail at a time.The science behind the magic:- How the right room setup can turn reluctant participants into enthusiastic contributors
- When to stick to the script and when to let organic momentum take over
- How to make virtual spaces feel as engaging as physical ones
- Why the best events aren't about the agenda – they're about the moments betweenThe New Frontier
These days, at Vertical Studios, I'm taking those lessons to new heights. That 75% boost in client retention? It started with understanding that every event is a chance to build trust. Every workshop an opportunity to challenge the status quo. Every gathering a potential turning point.Let's build something remarkable – whether it's an intimate workshop or a full-scale production. Success isn't measured in attendee numbers. It's measured in stories. In breakthroughs. In those "I never thought of it that way" moments that change everything.

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Innovation & AI Integration

Plot twist: The guy who started out making events less boring? Now he's knee-deep in AI and loving every minute of it. But here's the thing – it's not about the shiny new tools. It's about what happens when technology helps humans be more... human.Beyond the Buzzwords
Let's be real – we're all drowning in AI chatter. Everyone's talking about machine learning this, neural networks that. But here's what two decades of bringing people together has taught me: The best technology isn't the one with the fanciest features. It's the one that makes someone's day a little better. A little easier. A little more wonderful.The Human Side of Tech
At Vertical Studios, I'm not just implementing tools – I'm reimagining how we work together. That 100% on-time project completion rate? It's powered by smart technology choices. That 75% boost in client retention? It comes from understanding that even the best AI needs a human touch.Some recent adventures:- Turning "another boring meeting" into collaborative magic using AI-powered facilitation tools
- Making accessibility the starting point, not an afterthought
- Finding the perfect balance between automation and authenticity
- Teaching teams to embrace new tech without losing their human sparkLet's Build Something Smart Together
Looking for someone who can turn AI buzzwords into real business solutions? Make technology feel less intimidating and more inspiring? Find the sweet spot between automation and human connection?Innovation isn't just about what's possible with technology. It's about what's possible when technology helps humans be their best selves.

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Facilitation and Workshopping Design

You know that moment when a room full of strangers suddenly becomes a team of innovators? When the energy shifts from "here we go again" to "here we go!"? That's my sweet spot. After years of orchestrating everything from intimate brainstorms to full-scale foundation/design/alignment/innovation sprints, I've learned that great facilitation isn't about following a script – it's about creating space for magic to happen.Fresh from earning my Workshopper Master certification from AJ&Smart, I'm taking team collaboration to new heights. Because let's be honest – the world has enough boring meetings. What we need are more moments of genuine connection. More breakthrough ideas sparked by someone who finally felt brave enough to speak up. More "wait, did we just solve that?" victories.To me, facilitation looks a bit different:- Every quiet voice gets heard (sometimes they have the best ideas)
- Virtual sessions feel just as alive as in-person ones
- Complex challenges become exciting opportunities
- Innovation and fun aren't just allowed to coexist – they're requiredWhether you're wrestling with a tough challenge, looking to energize your team, or ready to turn "what if" into "what's next" – I'm here to help make it happen. Because, the best solutions don't come from one brilliant mind. They come from creating spaces where brilliant minds can play together.

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SERVICE

Professional Development & Innovation

Digital Transformation & Leadership

Community Impact & Advocacy

Creative Contributions

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Skills

Hey there! Think of this as my toolkit – not just a list of what I can do, but a collection of ways I can help turn your "what if" into "what's next."

Project & Event Management

Digital & Technical

Communication & Marketing

Leadership & Facilitation

Business Development

Tools & Software

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