This October, Upstage Companies proudly celebrated a remarkable milestone — 10 Years Strong. What began as a small side hustle with a laptop and $400 has grown into a thriving, multi-division company recognized throughout the Mountain West and beyond for its grit, commitment to excellence, a deep-rooted culture of teamwork, and giving back to the community.
From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Organization
Ten years ago, Chris and Hilary Martin began what would become Upstage Companies. At the time, Chris was working for the LDS Church as a Senior Sound Engineer, when he started receiving calls in the off season from others in the live events industry looking for stagehands and freelance help in the Salt Lake City area.
In his available time, he began finding and coordinating local talent to fill those labor needs — and before long, the calls kept coming. That’s when Chris realized there was a viable business model behind what started as a small favor to friends. With a relentless work ethic and a “begin with yes” attitude, he built a reputation as a problem solver and a can-do professional who always finds a way to make things happen.
Today, that same spirit defines Upstage Companies, which now operates across three synergistic divisions:
- Upstage Crew Services – Providing expert local labor, trained stagehands, riggers, technicians, and operators for live events throughout the mountain west.
- Upstage Rentals – Offering high-end audio, video, and staging equipment for concerts, corporate events, festivals, and more. This is Upstage’s fastest-growing division.
- Pro Show Logistics – Originally created to haul our mobile stages, this has grown into a full-scale logistics & touring division transporting equipment nationwide for clients and tours industry wide.
Together, these three divisions form a one-stop shop service for full event production — a seamless, efficient operation built on teamwork, trust, and a shared commitment to excellence.
A Celebration 10 Years in the Making
This October, Upstage Companies marked its 10-year anniversary in grand fashion. Hosted at the Utah State Fairpark, the celebration showcased the company’s power, people, and purpose.
On display were one of our SL-100 mobile stages, an L-Acoustics KARA PA system, as well as two polished Pro Show Logistics semi trucks, representing the scale and capability Upstage has achieved in just a decade.
Guests included long-time clients, team members, and friends who traveled from more than 7 hours away to celebrate. Many past employees and customers joined in as well — a testament to the relationships and sense of family that define the Upstage community.
Ribbon Cutting with the Salt Lake Chamber
A highlight of the day was a formal ribbon cutting with the Salt Lake Chamber. Six Chamber representatives joined the celebration to recognize Upstage’s decade of service, growth, and contribution to Utah’s local economy.
They presented a plaque honoring Upstage’s achievements and its impact on the local business community. One Chamber representative shared that she had attended over 200+ ribbon cuttings — yet had never cried at one until ours, saying she felt she was witnessing a genuine company culture of compassion, unity, and purpose.
Giving Back: The Chris and Hilary Martin Family Foundation
At the heart of the celebration was a spirit of generosity. Through the Chris and Hilary Martin Family Foundation, Upstage made three charitable donations during the event:
- Make-A-Wish Utah – The Martins took the time to give back to an organization that many years before gave to their family and their two sons that have a life-changing disease.
- Sleep in Heavenly Peace – We made a donation to this special organization that builds and delivers beds for children who otherwise would go without a proper place to sleep.
- Tyler Thomas – Upstage and its employees have raised more than $2,500 for a valued team member recovering from an injury sustained while working on the job for another organization.
These donations embody the Upstage Way — giving back to the community, caring for those in need, and showing compassion where it matters most.
Honoring Our Team: Core Values Awards & Service Awards
Perhaps the most emotional and inspiring moment of the celebration was our third annual Core Values Awards, where we recognized the men and women who live “The Company Core Value” every day.
Our frontline employees — the technicians, crew members, and leaders who bring events to life — were honored for their excellence, teamwork, and dedication to our core values. Each recipient received a personalized plaque and a commemorative 10-Year Anniversary backpack featuring our “10 Years Strong” logo.
Upstage also gave out three Service Awards to the following full-time employees for their dedication to excellence:
- Scott Martin – 10 Years
- Burke Burkhardt – 7 Years
- Wyatt Owen – 5 Years
Tears were shed, smiles were shared, and attendees could feel the sense of unity and pride that makes Upstage’s culture truly special.
A Celebration of Community and Culture
After the awards, guests enjoyed a taco bar, delicious cookies donated by Twisted Sugar, and custom gourmet donuts from The Other Side Donuts.
DJ Cooper Brown kept the energy high with an incredible set, turning the evening into a true celebration of our people, our partners, and our journey.
There was laughter, music, emotion — and a genuine feeling of family. People described the event as uplifting and moving. The sense of brotherhood, pride, and shared accomplishment could be felt by everyone in attendance.
Looking Ahead: The Next 10 Years and Beyond
As we look toward the future — including the 2034 Winter Olympics in Utah — Upstage Companies remains committed to the same core values that built its foundation: grit, teamwork, passion & expertise.
We are proud to serve our community, strengthen Utah’s economy, and continue delivering WOW experiences for our clients. Our culture is alive and well — and we are only getting started.
Here’s to the next decade of participating in extraordinary events, creating memories that last a lifetime, and growing together as a team and community.