Leadership / 06.12.24
Ticketing Hearts: 4 INTIX Members, 1 Passion
Christine Payne
As patrons and fans enter a venue, an undeniable joy of anticipation always fills the air. Inside, the dedicated professionals, bound by their shared love of ticketing, are already hard at work. For it is they who made it possible for attendees to buy a ticket and enjoy an unforgettable experience.
Over the years, we have interviewed many members for our popular “Getting to Know You” series. They are all passionate about our industry and INTIX's role in elevating ticketing as a profession.
After decades in ticketing, Joe Carter still appreciates being connected to work that inspires so many people. “[I love] that we provide access to these live events that so many people remember for the rest of their lives. I also love when my team is clicking and makes crazy ideas happen that change how we do things and improve the experience of our customers. They make me so proud.”
Joe currently holds the position of Senior Director of Sales and Customer Experience with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and works with his favorite venue, the iconic Hollywood Bowl. He was INTIX Board Chair and Director for a few years during the association’s move from brick-and-mortar to virtual and during the executive leadership transition when Maureen Andersen joined as President and CEO.
Joe at the Hollywood Bowl.
“I have gained so much over the years as a member [of INTIX, including] lifelong friends and colleagues, career skills, ideas and inspiration,” Joe says. “I use my connections to help myself get through tough situations and new challenges. And I get inspiration for how to do new things at work and in life … [It is great to know] that I can turn to a community that understands what I do and in turn share ideas, vent and connect as people.”
INTIX friends at the 2019 conference in Grapevine, Texas. L-R: Shawn Robertson, Mardi Dilger, Joe Carter, Alison Barry. Back row L-R: Brian Butler and David Winn.
Derek Palmer got involved with INTIX back when it was BOMI (Box Office Management International). He was encouraged to do so by the company he worked for at the time. While he was not as active in those early days of his career, he is very proud of the work he has done later on. This includes being the first to be a non-U.S.-based board chair and to hold a board meeting outside North America when he was Board Chair, based in London. Today, he works as Chief Revenue Officer for Project Admission.
“I have always been a big fan of putting the ‘IN’ of ‘international’ back in INTIX because I feel like that was missing,” he says. “I am super excited to see that continues to grow every year.”
Derek says he especially likes the give-and-take aspect of being a member of INTIX.
“There is that camaraderie and connection to people who may come from entirely different walks of life, different organizations, different regions, different anything. But similar to being a fan of an artist or a team, when you get together, you have something pretty significant in common because you have chosen to work in this field and to be a part of this thing that's larger than you.”
Derek speaking at INTIX 2020 in New York City.
Derek says, “We are truly lucky to work in this industry. No offense to widgets, but we are not selling widgets. We sell experiences, we sell passion, we sell love. We sell all the emotions about going to a live event and sitting there and watching, whether it is a kid seeing their first concert or a dad seeing their team win the championship for the first time. Whatever it is, that experience and that light in the eye, or the tear in the eye in the case of the loss, is unmatched. It is not something that I think can be replicated in other industries.”
Patricia Pratt
Patricia Pratt is immensely proud of her 12 years of success as Box Office Manager at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She loves her work and deeply appreciates the live event industry.
“The best aspect of arts and entertainment is its ability to inspire, uplift and provoke thought,” she says. “Through various forms such as music, film, literature, theatre and visual arts, the entertainment industry has the power to evoke deep emotions, spark imagination, and stimulate meaningful conversations. It serves as a mirror reflecting society's values, challenges and aspirations while also providing an escape from the everyday stresses of life. Moreover, arts and entertainment have the potential to unite people from diverse backgrounds by fostering empathy, understanding and appreciation for different perspectives. Overall, the best thing about arts and entertainment is its profound impact on individuals and communities, enriching lives and shaping culture in profound ways.”
Patricia enjoys attending the annual INTIX conference and is an active member. Among her contributions, she is a member of the INTIX IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility) Committee, which helps to advance the goals of the association’s strategic long-range plan (SLRP).
Members of the INTIX IDEA Committee at the 2024 conference in Las Vegas.
“INTIX allows me to connect with other ticketing professionals. People who understand what we do and can appreciate what we do,” Patricia says. “[Ticketing professionals] are the only people who know what we must encounter daily … It is comforting to talk to other ticketing professionals.”
After spending a couple of years in the event point-of-sale industry, Jason Mastrine returned home to ticketing in the fall of 2023, this time as global ticketing and venues lead for Protect Group. He began his career in ticketing in the late ‘90s and it is, he says, the industry he loves best.
Jason off-site at Burning Man, 2019.
“I am very excited to be re-joining this trusted circle of like-minded professionals who are aligned in their commitment to support each other,” he says.
Time spent away from ticketing allowed Jason to reflect on what he loves most about our industry: the camaraderie among colleagues.
“There is a sense of unity, collaboration and mutual support among INTIX members, specifically who share a common passion for the intricacies of ticketing. And I think in this context, camaraderie manifests as a platform for open dialogue, the exchange of innovative ideas, and a collective commitment to elevating industry standards on a global scale. One more reason why I am so happy to be back in ticketing — amongst friends.”
Jeff Lind, Jason, Rebecca Throne and Tammy Enright at INTIX 2019 in Grapevine, Texas.
Indeed, building lifelong friendships and professional relationships is a significant benefit of INTIX and the industry. But there is also the joy of working in ticketing, says Joe.
“We have access to the magic of live events — be they concerts, games, plays or visits to iconic venues. I have been lucky enough to see world premieres of award-winning plays and musicals and sit in on the rehearsals as they were created, watch master conductors shape the sound of an orchestra right in front of me ahead of their performance to the public, and watch championship games in football, baseball and basketball close up and in the nose-bleed seats. In all cases, they left indelible memories to last a lifetime.”
Editor’s Note: Learn more about your INTIX peers in our “Getting to Know You” series.
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Tags: Leadership , Ticketing Professionals