“My favorite part of the job has always been the people — both the relationships built throughout the industry and the opportunity to work alongside clients, artists, promoters and teams who are all passionate about live entertainment. I am a people person by nature, and after more than 35 years in the business, I have never forgotten what it feels like to be a fan. That perspective continues to influence how I approach the business and the fan experience.”

So says Angela Miles-Powell, a Regional Vice President with Ticketmaster. Over the past 35 years in the live entertainment industry, she has indeed had the opportunity to grow alongside the business and be part of the evolution of ticketing — from a phone room operator taking ticket orders to today’s mobile, data-driven experience.

The Job and All of Its Rewards and Challenges

Her current job focuses her on working with a team of client development directors to support venues and tours in various parts of the country via strategic planning; partnership development; fan engagement; and, of course, ongoing client support. She works closely with artists, promoters and internal teams to help create successful live event experiences while also leading and mentoring a team in an industry that continues to evolve rapidly.

She says, “A large part of my responsibility is building long-term relationships and helping clients connect with the tools, resources and support they need to best serve their organizations and their fans.”

Challenges abound. Perhaps the biggest is finding that balance between the day-to-day and the bigger picture. Miles-Powell states, “The industry moves quickly, and it is easy to become focused on individual tasks or immediate issues. But the best outcomes come when we step back and consider the broader experience and long-term impact.”

She reiterates, “I also think it is important for all of us, especially those who have been in the industry for a long time, to continually put ourselves in the seat of the fan. We live and breathe this business every day. But fans experience these moments differently. Remembering what it feels like to buy the ticket, walk into the venue and experience a live event helps keep the focus where it belongs.”

It’s the fans that fuel Miles-Powell’s wonderful optimism with regards to the future of ticketing and live events. She firmly believes there is something uniquely special about the experiences she and her colleagues help create. “Live events bring people together in a way few things can,” she states. Whether it is attending your very first concert, watching your team make the playoffs, seeing the opening run of a Broadway show, or going to see your favorite band for the fifth time, those experiences create lasting memories and emotional connections.”

Getting Ahead With Good Counsel

Miles-Powell believes that one thing that has distinguished her throughout her career has been her willingness to do the basics — show up, do the work and ask questions — and do them well. “Early in my career,” she says, “I learned that asking questions is how you grow and build knowledge and gain confidence. No one is expected to know everything, especially in an industry that changes as quickly as ours.”

She continues, “The idea of showing up and doing the work has also always stayed with me. It means being dependable, contributing to the team and understanding that every role matters. No matter the position, the work contributes to the bigger picture and ultimately impacts everyone involved.”

This being our Women in Ticketing series, Miles-Powell was also eager to give advice to any young women reading this just starting out in the ticketing/live event business: “My advice would be to stay curious and ask questions, to not be afraid to take up space and use your voice. This industry can move fast, and there will always be opportunities to learn if you are willing to raise your hand, listen and stay open to growth.”

She would also encourage young women entering the business not to be afraid to reach out to other women in the industry. Miles-Powell is a big proponent of finding one’s own “tribe” and fostering a support system. “You are not alone,” she states. “There is a thriving community of incredibly talented and successful women across ticketing and live entertainment who genuinely want to support, encourage, and help the next generation succeed. But most importantly, there is not one single path to success in this business.”

The Real Highlights of an Exemplary Career

Miles-Powell is most definitely a “higher-up” at Ticketmaster. She also currently serves on the International Ticketing Association’s (INTIX’s) board and was honored with the 2023 INTIX IMPACT Award. She is a member of the Academy of Country Music and is also an active member and former board member of the International Entertainment Buyers Association (or IEBA). She was recognized as a 2023 Women in Live honoree.

But few accolades and honors are as impressive as something that happened to her earlier this decade on the job. Rather humbly, she recalls, “Garth Brooks called me onstage during a show in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium. We were just coming out of COVID, and he took a moment to thank me in front of my hometown crowd. After spending so many years behind the scenes, it was surreal and incredibly meaningful. It is a moment I will never forget. And most importantly . . . I managed not to fall or cry!”