Chip Wade is the Marketing Director for the Koger Center for the Arts.  Chip is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he earned his undergraduate degree in graphic design and his M.S. in Sport and Entertainment Management.  His professional career began in 1995 at Carolina Retail Packaging as a graphic designer and then an art director where he led a group of four designers and a print department with a staff of six.  In July of 2000 he shifted his career focus to marketing when he became the marketing coordinator and designer for the Koger Center for the Arts and the Carolina Coliseum at the University of South Carolina. Within six months he was promoted to marketing director for the two venues where his responsibilities included promoting both venues and the events presented by them as well as operating an in-house advertising agency for promoters bringing tours and events to the arena and the arts center.  He is responsible for creating marketing plans, media buying, public relations, web maintenance, social media management and working in a management position during events.  Additionally, Mr. Wade has been teaching as an adjunct faculty member of the Sport and Entertainment Department at the University of South Carolina for several years.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mr. Wade has been an active volunteer throughout his career.  He served on the board of the AIDS Benefit Foundation of South Carolina for twelve years, four of those years in executive positions.  ABFSC was a non-profit organization with the purpose of raising and distributing money to those who serve and educate others dealing with HIV/AIDS.  During his tenure with ABFSC the organization raised and donated more than $750,000.  He served as treasurer of the South Carolina Pride board for four years and was responsible for an average budget of $100,000.  During his time on the board, the annual pride parade and festival grew from hosting 40,000 to more than 80,000 attendees.  In 2016 Mr. Wade co-founded The Midlands Men’s Chorus: The Gay Men’s Chorus of Columbia.  The chorus, a non-profit organization is a performance-oriented group with the goal of providing the members and audiences with musically rewarding and enjoyable experiences.  He served on the board as marketing director for six years. He is currently on the board of the Vista Guild Association in the roll of Vice-President and head of the marketing committee.