John Garberson

Bio:

I’ve spent more than 34 years in the live event industry, and it’s been an incredible ride filled with innovation, creativity, and unforgettable moments. Back in 2003, on July 4th, I founded Creative Backstage in Tempe, Arizona with a simple vision: bring excellence and fresh ideas to live event production in Arizona. What started as a spark grew into a full-service, award-winning production company handling lighting, staging, sound, video, and labor for some of the biggest shows in the region. Though out of career, I had the privilege of helping introduce moon balloons, Avolites controllers, LED screens and other elements to Arizona, pushing the boundaries of what we could do. From lighting mountain cliffs to designing a festival stage in the largest pool in the U.S., from working with Presidents to A-list entertainers and national artists, each project taught me something new and left a lasting mark. Beyond the productions, I’ve always believed in giving back to the community that shaped me. I started the Arizona Stagehand Group as a space for connection, built the Stagehand 101 Training Program to help new techs find their footing, and founded the Arizona Live Event Coalition to support our industry through its toughest times during the shut downs. Mentoring young talent and watching them grow into successful professionals and even business owners has been one of the greatest honors of my career. In 2017, I sold Creative Backstage to Pride Group, but I stayed on as Director to continue leading the team. After 21 years at the helm, I made the decision to step back on July 4th, 2025. While I’ve retired from the day-to-day grind, I’m not gone—I still freelance, design, and consult on major productions whenever I can.