Beginning the week after Equalux 2022, GSBA welcomed Chris Marcacci as the new Director of Marketing and Communications. Marcacci comes to GSBA with more than 16 years of marketing and communications experience, most recently completing 13 years at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theater.
As a marketing and communications professional, Marcacci has been a member of GSBA through his organizations since 2007, and has attended every Equalux since then. He was active with the GSBA Young Professionals with Pride, and having worked in circus arts and musical theater, he has always appreciated the connections to the local LGBTQ+ audiences. It was that connection to the LGBTQ+ community that drew Marcacci to the job at GSBA. “During the lock down, I really started thinking about what I wanted to do with my life professionally and realized that being connected to the LGBTQ+ community in Seattle would be far more fulfilling,” said Marcacci. He continued, “it has been a joy to come to work every day and spend time with likeminded people whose ideals really line up with mine.”
Marcacci has hit the ground running and has some big goals for his time as Director of Marketing and Communications at GSBA. He says, “I am very excited to get the word out about all that GSBA can do for its members, and also spotlight our members even more. Members really are the heart of GSBA , and marketing/advertising can be very tricky for small businesses. I hope I can assist them in any marketing needs they have, especially those who are CHBA members.” He continues with a message for CHBA and GSBA members, “We are here for you! We want to know what you are doing, whether that be job postings or community events, or just fun things you want us to know! Please drop me a line and keep me in the loop about whatever you have going on!”
As far as favorite businesses in Seattle, Marcacci has a soft spot still for his former employer, Teatro ZinZanni. “It was the business that made my drop what I was doing and run away with the circus. All of us who worked there knew it was something very special, and we are all still great friends,” said Marcacci. “I am so excited they are back in town this year, even just for the holidays, and I hope they find a new permanent spot soon. We need that sort of zaniness in this city!” As for the Capitol Hill neighborhood, Marcacci enjoys the karaoke bar, Rock Box. “I have never sung karaoke, but I have some of the most talented friends in the world, and we all like to go there where they can serenade me with musical theater songs and pop hits like it is my own private concert.”
Growing up in Silverdale, Washington since age 12, Marcacci attended Central Washington University with a double major in Housing Design and Sociology, with a minor in Family Studies. He also volunteered for more than 11 years with Market the Arts Taskforce, most recently as co-chair of the organization. When not at work, Rock Box, or supporting local musical theater, Marcacci can be found catching the latest Marvel movie or spending time with his eight-year-old puppy Waffles, a Yorkshire Terrier that Marcacci describes as “the light of my life and my everything.”
Join us in welcoming Chris Marcacci to the GSBA family!
