Chris Pritchard
Chris Pritchard, 39
Founder, President & CEO
CWP Productions
Now handling nearly every live event for notable Arkansas companies and nonprofits, audiovisual services firm CWP Productions of Little Rock is a name that needs little introduction. But it began as a one-man shop founded by Chris Pritchard when he was 24 years old.
Then, the idea was to break into the entertainment industry, producing concerts. But the doldrums of 2008-10 prompted what Pritchard calls the company's "first pivot," moving into audiovisual work.
Before long, Pritchard and a growing team were handling major corporate events and fundraisers — think CARTI Festival of Trees, the governor's inaugural ball, the Broyles Award and the Arkansas Capitol lighting ceremony. The firm hit high gear in 2020 — the pandemic year — pivoting again to innovative hybrid events: limited in-person gatherings with attendees who logged in remotely.
"Any given week, we'll do … three to four [events] a week," he said. "Our busy season, we'll do up to 12 a week."
The hard work is by design. "My grandfather always said, work hard so you can walk into a room and no longer introduce yourself," Pritchard said. Mission accomplished.