The Meaning Behind E.C.C.H.O.

In an industry built on movement, adrenaline, deadlines, creativity, and care for others, Mental Health Awareness Month offers us a chance to pause for a moment and ask an important question: How are we doing?

At ECCHO Live, the meaning behind our name has always been larger than an acronym. E.C.C.H.O. reflects the priorities we hope continue rippling outward through this industry long after the lights go down and the trucks roll out; a human-centered approach to wellness, sustainability, and longevity in live events.

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to take a moment to spotlight the five “lanes” that shape ECCHO:

Education. Community. Connection. Health. Opportunity.

Because lanes matter. Lanes get us from point A to point B. Sometimes they curve. Sometimes they narrow. Sometimes they come with detours, potholes, or unexpected exits. But they keep us moving forward. And when you step onto a multi-lane highway, you realize something important: there can be many lanes traveling toward the same destination. That concept feels deeply connected to the evolution of our organization.

When Chris Lisle and Erik Parker started Touring Career Workshop in 2011, there was one lane: the Fall Workshop. Over time, more lanes emerged: All Access, Networking Nights, Day Off events, All Access On Site, adding mentorship, mental health support, education initiatives, and community outreach. Different lanes, all moving toward the same goal: Supporting the people behind the scenes in live entertainment and helping create healthier, more sustainable careers. The industry continues to evolve, and so do the ways we serve it. And the heart behind the work remains steadfast: We are here to support our peers in an ever-changing industry.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, we invited a few board members who generously donate their time, lived experience, and energy to these lanes in order to share reflections that help reflect each part of E.C.C.H.O. Our hope is simple: That maybe something here echoes back to you. That perhaps it encourages you to seek your own version of balance, connection, support, and purpose within this wild and beautiful industry we call home.

E — EDUCATION

Submitted by Marni Wandner, Coach and Founder of FuturePresent

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” — John Dewey

When we approach life with curiosity, every day becomes an opportunity to learn: from a book, certainly, but also from experience, from another person, from a mistake, from a challenge, or from ourselves.

Education within live events is not limited to technical skills or certifications. It’s also emotional intelligence. Communication. Adaptability. Self-awareness. Learning how to care for ourselves and each other while continuing to evolve in our craft. A sustainable career is built through a willingness to keep learning.

C — COMMUNITY

Submitted by David Schultz, Tour Manager

“Community is much more than belonging to something; it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter.” — Brian Solis

Meaning is what makes experiences matter to us.

In live entertainment, we help create that meaning by bringing people together around music, storytelling, performance, and shared moments. We pour ourselves into curating experiences where connection and belonging can happen for audiences around the world.

At the same time, we ourselves are part of a much larger community: the countless people working behind the scenes to make those moments possible.

ECCHO Live is committed to building community through ideas, shared interests, collaboration, and well-being, because community is ultimately how we make the world better, and how we remind each other we are not doing this alone.

C — CONNECTION

Submitted by Kyler Pastorius, Director of Event Staffing | The Production Collective

“Connection is why we're here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” — Brené Brown

Those of us in live entertainment connect on a different level. Long hours, shared challenges, problem-solving under pressure, loading docks at sunrise, backstage conversations, and unforgettable moments create bonds that often run deeper than ordinary interactions.

Creating experiences for audiences is why so many of us entered this industry in the first place. Our shared passion, resilience, and experiences unite us in a way only this industry can fully understand.

Connection reminds us that even in the busiest seasons, we are still human beings first.

H — HEALTH

Submitted by Stephen Navyac, Therapist and former Tour Manager

“When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.” — Fred Rogers

Our life is a journey. As we embrace each season and do our best to learn, grow, and remain open to what lies ahead, we become more prepared for the next steps in front of us.

In an industry that often asks people to keep moving no matter what, health can sometimes feel like something we will “get to later.” But sustainable careers require us to recognize that caring for ourselves is not separate from the work... it is part of what allows the work to continue.

Mental health. Physical health. Emotional well-being. Rest. Boundaries. Recovery. Support systems. Honest conversations. All of it matters. No one is meant to navigate the road entirely alone. That is why All Access exists, to help create space for support, conversation, care, and connection for the people behind the scenes who spend so much time taking care of everyone else.

 O — OPPORTUNITY

Submitted by Robert Bull, Account Executive Clair Global, Leadership Team Rock Nashville

“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” — Sir Isaac Newton

Opportunity is one of the things that draws many of us into this world in the first place, and the chance to create, travel, collaborate, grow, and contribute to something larger than ourselves. But true opportunity also means creating pathways where people can thrive, not just endure.

As we reflect on opportunity, it’s impossible not to think about the people who helped shape us along the way: the mentors, teachers, crew members, managers, friends, and leaders who offered guidance, encouragement, perspective, or simply believed in us when we were still finding our footing. This industry has always been built on knowledge passed hand to hand.

May we continue creating opportunities to help the next generation through mentorship, by listening well, and by offering kind, honest, and clear guidance. The future of live events depends not only on innovation and talent, but on our willingness to lift others as we climb.

The future of this industry depends not only on what we produce, but on how we care for the people producing it.

Stay Connected

We’ll continue creating opportunities for support, conversation, and connection through program initiatives. Mental health support systems are not built overnight: they are built in moments. In check-ins. In honest conversations. In the choice to show up for ourselves and for each other, even in the middle of busy seasons and long days. This summer, you’ll find AAOS activating backstage at festivals including CMA Fest (TN), Bonnaroo (TN), Governors Ball (NY), and Railbird (KY), just to name a few in June alone. Stop by and see us... whether you need an ear, a quiet moment, a conversation, or simply want to say hello and learn more about what we do!

More than awareness.

Mental Health Awareness month is about creating space for honest conversations in an industry that often teaches people to simply push through. It is about reminding ourselves that wellness is not separate from the work, but it is part of what allows us to keep doing it sustainably. Behind every show, festival, and production are real people carrying stress, joy, exhaustion, passion, and responsibility.

At ECCHO Live, we hope these conversations continue to echo outward: through crews, friendships, mentorships, buses, backstage hallways, and everyday check-ins that remind people they do not have to carry everything alone.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Keep the echo going.

— The ECCHO Live Team

Empowering People. Amplifying Potential.

We simply could not do this work without our Partners. Their support makes everything you see here possible. If you know any of them, please take a moment to say thank you. They genuinely appreciate hearing how their investment is making a difference in real lives and careers. And if you’re interested in becoming a 2026 Partner or learning more about how to support this work, we’d love to hear from you.

And of course, there were multiple votes for Gold Bond, no explanation necessary.

If you’ve got a favorite item that gets you through the heat, the hustle, or the 18-hour work day, send it our way or tag us online. We love seeing what fuels your season.