Christopher dela Cruz

About Christopher dela Cruz

I believe the next era of Event Marketing isn\'t about the logistics, it\'s about intelligent experience design. I combine 15 years + of global production and turn $5M+ budgets into measurable growth enginesFrom global conference programs to multi-city roadshows, I specialize in building experiences that bring together marketing, community, and brand storytelling. My work has supported Fortune 500 Tech companies, delivering events ranging from executive experiences to large-scale conferences serving attendees. What drives me most is the intersection of strategy and experience design. Events aren’t just logistics; they’re one of the most powerful ways companies connect with customers, launch products, and build community.Throughout my career, I’ve managed event programs with budgets exceeding $5M, led cross-functional teams of 15–50 stakeholders, and delivered global conference initiatives across North America, Europe, and Latin America. Today I’m particularly interested in the future of AI and event technology, exploring how automation and intelligent workflows can improve how events are planned, executed, and experienced.I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Event Management at San Diego State University, while also developing new ideas around AI-powered workflows that reduce operational friction for event professionals.If you’re building bold experiences or rethinking how events can drive marketing impact, let\'s connect!Notable Skills- Event Marketing Strategy- Global Conference Programs- Experiential Marketing- Integrated Marketing Campaigns- Event Technology Platforms- Event Operations Leadership- Sponsorship Activation- Cross-Functional Program Leadership- Vendor & Production Management- Event Analytics & ROI Measurement

Experience

1. Conference Program Manager

   Type A Events

   Jan 2025 — Present

   Leading conference and marketing event programs for large-scale technology clients, supporting large-scale global conferences, executive programs, and multi-city roadshows designed to drive brand engagement and customer growth- Lead cross-functional planning and execution for major tech conferences and executive programs, collaborating with marketing, production, and executive leadership teams- Directed conference operations and logistics for complex multi-stakeholder environments involving marketing, executive leadership, production teams, and venue partners- Oversee large-scale conference program development, including speaker programming, executive sessions, attendee experience design, and operational execution- Partner with client marketing teams to align event programs with campaign objectives, translating brand strategy into conference programming, executive experiences, and attendee engagement initiatives- Leveraging Generative AI tools to streamline stakeholder management and operational logistics for efficiencies- Building repeatable event blueprint playbooks for global roadshows and multi-city tours- Implementing AI-powered operational layers to reduce burnout.

Education

• San Diego State University

  Master of Science, Meeting and Event Management

• Coursera

  Google Project Management Certification

  2025

• Colorado State University Global

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Marketing