Creative EconomY
career day

GET

CREATIVE

October 27th, 2026

McCaw Hall

About CECD

Creative Economy Career Day connects public high school students with the people and possibilities behind creative careers. Through conversations with working professionals, hands-on workshops, and opportunities to meet local organizations, students can explore paths in art, music, design, film, technology, and more. There’s no single way into a creative career. Some people build businesses, some work behind the scenes, and others bring creative skills to industries students might not expect. By hearing how professionals found their way, students can begin to imagine what their own path could look like. Held at McCaw Hall in Seattle, CECD is a free day of learning, making, and meeting people who work across the region’s creative economy. Students leave with new connections, practical insight, and a wider sense of what’s possible.

AUDIO

The audio industry offers a wide range of professional opportunities including vocal and music performance, management, production, composing, promotions, festivals, retail, licensing, broadcasting, sound technicians, and more. Come network with peers and professionals who share similar interests, engage directly with industry mentors, and learn about the extensive variety of local music-related organizations and their cross-connection with other creative industries.

VIsual

Behind the camera or in the director’s chair, writing content or editing a commercial, animation or lighting design, painting or performing or graphic design, the visual industry offers a wide range of professional creative and technical opportunities. Learn how these disciplines connect across the creative industries. Network, meet mentors, and connect with technical, educational, and businesses across the local visual and creative industries.

BUSINESS

Have a great business idea but don’t know where to start? All the complex business license, legal formation, and tax planning needs can be daunting, when starting your business. Want to get that first step into a creative economy career? Learn from start-up and legal professionals, small and big business owners, entrepreneurs, and union leaders about how to get started, and what things to do (and to avoid) as you get your great ideas and work off the ground.

TECHNOLOGY

Tech is not just about writing code. Gaming, AI, and emerging technologies span from code-writing, to content creation, to designers, programmers, sound artists, voice actors, and marketers. Washington is leading the global gaming industry, contributing more than $12 billion to the local economy. Learn from local professional leaders and gaming and tech companies, network with peers who share similar interests, and learn about the cross-connection of tech across all the creative industries.

Oct 27th

Seattle, 2026

McCaw Hall

Join us in Seattle, WA for a full day of inspiring keynotes and new connections at the premier conference for Film, Business and Technology

2025 Creative Economy Career Day
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Share your talents and build new skills and connections through volunteerism. We aim to find the right role for each member of the team to make events sing. Apply today to start your journey.

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Oct 27th

Seattle, 2026

McCaw Hall

Join us in Seattle, WA for a full day of inspiring keynotes and new connections at the premier conference for Film, Business and Technology

2026 Schedule

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2026 Schedule

09:30 - 10:30
Registration

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
All
Where
Main Lobby
10:35 - 10:40
Opening Remarks

10:35 AM - 10:40 AM
All
Where
Theater, Allen Room, Norcliffe Room
10:40 - 11:15
Building Worlds: Careers in Games
By Nicole Hendrix Executive Director/Co-Founder of BRIC Foundation, Amy Madden Senior Talent Acquisition Partner @ 2K, Josh Herman Head of World Building @ Dungeons and Dragons, Jackie Jones Vice President - Creative Magic @ The Gathering at Wizards of the Coast, Jennifer Wallace Wilson Senior Technical UX Designer @ EX-Bungie, Adam Wilson Technical Audio Designer @ iRacing

10:40 PM - 11:15 PM | What does it take to build a game? Hear from experts on how these interactive worlds are crafted on and off screens.
All
Where
Theater
10:41 - 11:15
Somewhere Between Artist, Engineer, and Storyteller
By Ross Monroe Creative Technologist and Experience Designer

10:40 AM - 11:15 AM | Ross Monroe is a Seattle-based creative technologist who builds large-scale experiences for brands around the world, from a drive-thru photo booth for Taco Bell that landed in a Super Bowl commercial to a racing game built with Google and McLaren F1. None of it started with a clear path, and in this session he’ll share how he got started, what he’s learned, and why AI means you no longer need to be an expert to begin. What you do need is curiosity, a willingness to try, and the one thing no tool can do for you: human connection.
All
Where
Allen Room
10:42 - 11:15
How Creative Minds Shape Big Business
By Kevin Nash Principal Designer @ Bellevue Lighting, Ian Gardner Technical Director @ Seattle Theater Group, Leilani Balais Special Events Manager @ Pike Place Market Foundation, Seth Geiser Manager, Urban Planning + Design @ Downtown Seattle Association, David Levitt Lighting Designer @ Delta E Consulting

10:40 AM - 11:15 AM | Want to make a living being creative? Corporate companies also need artists, designers, and creative thinkers in more ways than you might expect. Hear from industry professionals about their jobs, how they got started, and how working for a company can help you build skills, make connections, and support your own creative projects.
All
Where
Norcliffe Room
10:43 - 11:15
Make Any Gig A Union Gig AFM 76-493

10:40 AM - 11:15 AM | With one of the American Federation of Musicians simple contracts, just about any work a musician does can be covered by a contract! Join President Nate Omdal and organizers Joel Johnson and Kelly Clingan as they explain how to access and fill out a couple of very simple forms, and make sure that any gigs or recording that you do is safe and protected. The presentation will include an opportunity to see what you’d need to be looking out for and a step by step guide to completing everything that you’d need to do.
All
Where
1st floor foyer
10:44 - 11:15
IATSE: The Union Behind Entertainment

10:40 AM - 11:15 AM | With so many parts to play including stagehands, front of house workers, hair and makeup artists, camera operators, designers, animators, and more; we have something for everybody. From live theater to sports broadcasting, concerts, movies, and trade shows; we are the more than 170,000 entertainment industry professionals across the United States and Canada making it all come to life. We are thrilled to have you with us. Stronger together—we invite you to join our journey.
All
Where
1st Floor Cafe
10:45 - 11:15
Inside SAM: The People Who Make a Museum
By Cristal Seda Santiago Youth Programs Manager @ Seattle Art Museum

10:40 AM - 11:15 AM | Go behind the scenes at Seattle Art Museum to discover the different departments and careers that bring a museum to life. Through a hands-on group activity, step into a museum role, solve problems with your team, and see how your ideas contribute to a shared project.
All
Where
2nd floor foyer
11:15 - 11:30
Break / Move to Next Session

11:15 AM - 11:30AM
All
11:30 - 13:05
Beyond the Stage: Dance, Content & Creative Careers
By Kinsey Flores Co-Founder + Director of PopRox, Julia Kassel Director of Operations + Social Media Manager @ PopRox, Akoiya Harris Movement Artist, Lindsay Thomas Videographer and Social Media Content Creator @ Pacific Northwest Ballet

11:30 AM - 12:05 PM | What does it actually take to build a career in dance today? Hear from professionals working across dance performance, social media, content creation, and creative entrepreneurship, including Pacific Northwest Ballet and PopRox Dance. We'll talk about how they built their careers, how they turn creative skills into income, and what it takes to build opportunities.
All
Where
Theater
11:31 - 13:05
Reel Pursuits
By Kyle Seago Director of Seabreeze Studio, Oliver Dickson Filmmaker, Director of Roll Modelz, Chezik Tsunoda Founder of Visually Inspired Productions

11:30 AM - 12:05 PM | Do you have a story to tell, enjoy collaborating on creative projects, or just love the thought of working on a film? This session offers a chance to hear from three local artists who have forged their own path in the Washington film scene and built careers on their own terms.
All
Where
Allen Room
11:32 - 13:05
5 Teaching Artists / 5 Creative Careers
By Anabelle Quintero Curriculum Developer @ Mambo 2 Hip Hop, Eileen Jimenez Community artist and Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Science @ South Seattle College, Paul Saunders Executive Producer @ Gravity Proof Media, Olivia Thomas (LIVt) Musician & Filmmaker @ CUT and LIV free media, Deanna Martinez Education & Community Programs Director @ Seattle Rep

11:30 AM - 12:05 PM | This fast-paced session will feature five Teaching Artists representing five disciplines (music, theatre, visual arts, dance, and media). Each TA will have 5 minutes and 5 slides to discuss and share their professional and creative journey. They will conclude with a short and accessible prompt connected to their discipline or practice.
All
Where
Norcliffe Room
11:33 - 13:05
Make Any Gig A Union Gig AFM 76-493

11:30 AM - 12:05 PM | With one of the American Federation of Musicians simple contracts, just about any work a musician does can be covered by a contract! Join President Nate Omdal and organizers Joel Johnson and Kelly Clingan as they explain how to access and fill out a couple of very simple forms, and make sure that any gigs or recording that you do is safe and protected. The presentation will include an opportunity to see what you’d need to be looking out for and a step by step guide to completing everything that you’d need to do.
All
Where
1st floor foyer
11:34 - 13:05
IATSE: The Union Behind Entertainment

11:30 AM - 12:05 PM | With so many parts to play including stagehands, front of house workers, hair and makeup artists, camera operators, designers, animators, and more; we have something for everybody. From live theater to sports broadcasting, concerts, movies, and trade shows; we are the more than 170,000 entertainment industry professionals across the United States and Canada making it all come to life. We are thrilled to have you with us. Stronger together—we invite you to join our journey.
All
Where
1st Floor Cafe
11:35 - 13:05
Inside SAM: The People Who Make a Museum
By Cristal Seda Santiago Youth Programs Manager @ Seattle Art Museum

11:30 AM - 12:05 PM | Go behind the scenes at Seattle Art Museum to discover the different departments and careers that bring a museum to life. Through a hands-on group activity, step into a museum role, solve problems with your team, and see how your ideas contribute to a shared project.
All
Where
2nd floor foyer
12:05 - 12:20
Break / Move to Next Session

12:05 PM - 12:20 PM
All
13:20 - 13:55
From A to Release
By Talaya Audio Engineer/Multi-Disciplinary Artist/Choir Director @ Ruby Room Studios, The Residency, DJ Tremenda Diosa DJ, organizer, and cultural curator, Maia Gaiia CEO @ Maia Gaiia Entertainment, Bekah Flynn Senior Publicist, International Promotions Manager, and A&R Representative @ Sub Pop Records, Bunnie Moore Sound Engineer @ Bunnie OnTheBoard

12:20 PM - 12:55 PM | Follow the journey of a song from its first spark, all the way to the dance floor. Hear from an artist, a DJ and other industry insiders about the creative process and the many careers that help music reach an audience.
All
Where
Theater
13:21 - 13:55
Built From Passion: Creative Entrepreneurship
By Brian Rauschenbach President / CMO @ ADD3, Shibuya Hifi, Seattle Interactive Conference, Gloria Connors President & CEO of Connors and Co, Marcus Lalario Hometeam, Darkalino's, Lil Woody's of Alive and Well

12:20 PM - 12:55 PM | How do you turn a creative passion into a business? Hear from local entrepreneurs about how they got started, developed their ideas and brands, and navigated risk along the way. Get an honest look at what it takes to build a sustainable business and a community around what you love.
All
Where
Allen Room
13:22 - 13:55
Behind the Mic: Careers in Modern Broadcasting
By Everett Fitzhugh Kraken, Kennady Quille Host of Audioasis @ KEXP

12:20 PM - 12:55 PM | What does it take to build a career behind the mic? Hear from voices in music, sports, and media about how they got started, how broadcasting is evolving, and the skills they use to connect with audiences. Explore the creativity, preparation, and personality that go into bringing a story, a song, or a game to life.
All
Where
Norcliffe Room
13:23 - 13:55
Make Any Gig A Union Gig AFM 76-493

12:20 PM - 12:55 PM | With one of the American Federation of Musicians simple contracts, just about any work a musician does can be covered by a contract! Join President Nate Omdal and organizers Joel Johnson and Kelly Clingan as they explain how to access and fill out a couple of very simple forms, and make sure that any gigs or recording that you do is safe and protected. The presentation will include an opportunity to see what you’d need to be looking out for and a step by step guide to completing everything that you’d need to do.
All
Where
1st floor foyer
13:24 - 13:55
IATSE: The Union Behind Entertainment

12:20 PM - 12:55 PM | With so many parts to play including stagehands, front of house workers, hair and makeup artists, camera operators, designers, animators, and more; we have something for everybody. From live theater to sports broadcasting, concerts, movies, and trade shows; we are the more than 170,000 entertainment industry professionals across the United States and Canada making it all come to life. We are thrilled to have you with us. Stronger together—we invite you to join our journey.
All
Where
1st Floor Cafe
13:25 - 13:55
Inside SAM: The People Who Make a Museum
By Cristal Seda Santiago Youth Programs Manager @ Seattle Art Museum

12:20 PM - 12:55 PM | Go behind the scenes at Seattle Art Museum to discover the different departments and careers that bring a museum to life. Through a hands-on group activity, step into a museum role, solve problems with your team, and see how your ideas contribute to a shared project.
All
Where
2nd floor foyer
13:55 - 14:00
Closing Remarks

12:55 PM - 1:00 PM
All
Where
Theater, Allen Room, Norcliffe Room
15:00 - 15:30
Lunch Break

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
All
15:01 - 17:30
Creative Connections: Meet, Explore, Discover

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
All