Seattle is known for many things, including its unrivaled natural beauty. It has vast, lush evergreen forests and is green all year long, which is how it earned its moniker as the Emerald City.
At the same time, Seattle is famous for its music scene, sports teams, coffee culture, seafood and outdoor lifestyle. It is also the home base for several big tech companies, including Amazon and Microsoft. Then there are the big tourist attractions too.
In January 2023, Seattle will become known for something else — the home of our 44th Annual INTIX Conference & Exhibition. This is the first time that ticketing professionals from across the United States and around the world will come together to experience INTIX in the Emerald City.
“We really are back in full force,” Jacque Holowaty, Vice President of Employee and Guest Experience at Climate Pledge Arena and our INTIX 2023 Conference Chair, says. “What people will get in Seattle is an amazingly unique culture that is at the forefront of changing our industry. We are looking [at change] from the terms of sustainability and thinking about technology. Seattle is the hub for a lot of those things … INTIX attendees will have the opportunity to hear from speakers and presenters, both local and those who are travelling in, about how we take our industry forward for the next two, three or four decades. What our conference attendees will see and experience in Seattle will tie right into the future of the industry.”
Venue Tours
The always-popular venue tours are happening again at the top of the conference on Monday. Visits to Climate Pledge Arena and The Paramount Theatre will give everyone the opportunity to revel in the majesty of a brand-new arena that has an important and iconic historical element as well as a facility with a long, storied history.
Located at the base of Seattle’s Space Needle, Climate Pledge Arena is a multi-purpose facility that opened on Oct. 22, 2021, with a concert by Coldplay. It is the proud home of the NHL’s newest franchise, the Seattle Kraken, and the four-time WNBA National Champion Seattle Storm. Renowned for its commitment to sustainability, Climate Pledge Arena also made history as the first net zero carbon certified arena in the world.
“There is also history [at Climate Pledge Arena]. A lot of buildings are brand new, but we were built under a historic roof that was built in 1961 for the 1962 World’s Fair. We kept the roof, we held up 40 million pounds for a month, which is an architectural feat in itself,” Holowaty says. “When you walk inside, it is beautiful. We have lots of technology including all of our Amazon experiential technology with our Just Walk Out stores … But there is also this feeling of Seattle and history and all the artists that have played under the roof, from Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana to the Beatles who were the first concert actually under that roof. That same roof that the Beatles played under, you’re still walking under today. The roofline itself is also part of Seattle’s skyline.”
Holowaty continues, “There’s something [amazing] about the nostalgia and the history along with all the technology and sustainability. There is also everything we are doing from a diversity, equity and inclusion standpoint, how we are working with vendors and how we are curating really unique experiences. It really sets us apart, I believe, from most of the industry.”
A short walk from our host hotel, The Paramount Theatre is simply magnificent. It first opened in March 1928 as the Seattle Theatre and has welcomed millions of visitors across the eras, from vaudeville and silent moviegoers in the Roaring Twenties to patrons of Broadway today. The landmark venue also hosts performances across other genres, including dance, music and comedy.
“The Paramount is a beautiful theater that is almost 90 years old,” Shannon Reynolds, Senior Regional Sales Operations Manager — West Coast for Broadway Across America and a member of the INTIX 2023 conference committee, says. “You get a great sense of history [when you enter the building] and how many things have been presented before you … In a city where so much is new, it is a great opportunity to see an older venue in Seattle.”
INTIX attendees will have a second chance to visit Climate Pledge Arena for the INTIX 2023 Welcome Festivity sponsored by Climate Pledge Arena, Delaware North and Oak View Group, one of the venue owners.
“While under the historic roof, attendees will have the opportunity to look straight up and see the Space Needle, which is pretty spectacular. They are going to get some of the best and most iconic views while also being able to tour the venue,” Holowaty says. “They will experience and taste the local food that we curate with our arena food partner Delaware North … From a sustainability standpoint, we source 75% of our food from within 300 miles. We create all of our food based on sustainable practices, and we make it really unique. We really want to showcase that [to INTIX conference attendees so they can see what is possible].”
Whether you are already registered to attend INTIX 2023 or still need a bit more convincing, here are some of the recommended things to do and places to visit while you’re in town. Come to Seattle and stay a few extra days to experience all that the city has to offer. As Visit Seattle says, “No matter what you’re looking for, the perfect adventure awaits.”
See the Seattle Kraken Live
The Seattle Kraken host the Vancouver Canucks at Climate Pledge Arena on Jan. 25. This is the night that INTIX takes a break from scheduling and encourages attendees to go play, network, dine and engage with peers, vendors and colleagues.
In addition to a couple of other NHL hockey games when most attendees will be in town, the Harlem Globetrotters are also at Climate Pledge on the Saturday night following the conference.
Visit the Space Needle
This iconic Seattle landmark is located just a five- or six-minute walk from Climate Pledge Arena at Seattle Center. It was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and is 605 feet tall. If you want great views of downtown, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound and more, this is the place to be. You can also visit the upper-level outdoor observation deck or stand on the structure’s glass floor and look down at the city below.
Museums
There are many wonderful museums to choose from in Seattle. Chihuly Garden and Glass is located next to the Space Needle and showcases the studio glass of Dale Chihuly, whose work is included in more than 200 museum collections around the world. The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is a must-visit destination for music fans. Its permanent collection includes artworks, instruments, photos, posters, sound recordings and more. Fans can visit current exhibitions, learn about Seattle music icons Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Jimi Hendrix, and more. MoPOP also has a sound lab to “invite your inner musician to come out and play.” The Seattle Art Museum has three locations, including its downtown facility, the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park and Olympic Sculpture Park on the waterfront.
Take in ‘Ain’t Too Proud’ at The Paramount
The fabulous jukebox musical that tells the life story of The Temptations opens at The Paramount in Seattle on Jan. 24. Journey along as their tale begins from the streets of Detroit and lands them in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Original Starbucks
Craving a coffee, caramel macchiato or latte? The Pike Place Starbucks shop, also known as the original Starbucks, is just a short walk from the INTIX host hotel. Make sure you give yourself time to grab a java if you are going to this location. There is always a line.
Pike Place Market
If you are going to Starbucks, you will want to spend time at Pike Place Market. And vice versa. This market is iconic, historic (it was founded in 1907) and known as “the soul of Seattle.” Pike Place Market has over 500 small businesses ranging from restaurants, craftspeople and farmers to specialty foods and buskers. It is an absolute do-not-miss destination while you are in town. The fresh flowers are incredible. There is a work of art called the Gum Wall (and yes, it is actually a brick wall covered with gum). And you can catch “the guys who throw the fish” at the Pike Place Fish Market (they also pack fish for airline travel and ship overnight anywhere in the U.S.). Create your Market Day itinerary here, and share it with your ticketing family and friends.
Seattle Waterfront
Just down the road from Pike Place Market is Seattle’s very walkable waterfront. This is where you will find the Seattle Great Wheel at Pier 57 as well as the Seattle Aquarium at Pier 59. There are many options for delectable waterfront dining, with something for every taste. You can also check out public art or take a boat or ferry ride from Pier 55.
Alki Beach
If you want to experience the water and city from another perspective, hop in a water taxi and head to Alki Beach. Located in West Seattle, it has great restaurants with spectacular views of the city.
Sports Venues
Lumen Field, home to the Super Bowl XLVIII Champion Seattle Seahawks, is located south of downtown (SoDo). While the regular season will have ended, football fans can check out the multi-purpose stadium that is also home to the Seattle Sounders FC, OL Reign and the Seattle Sea Dragons. Venue tour tickets can only be purchased online, and tickets for January will become available at the end of December. Right next door to Lumen Field in SoDo is T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners.
Espresso Vivace
If you are a fan of latte art, you will want to stop by another legendary Seattle coffee shop. One of the founders of Vivace, David Schomer, is credited with developing and popularizing latte art in the United States. If you can’t get there in person, you can check out their latte art gallery online. The Seattle Times has also said, “Though the average coffee consumer has never heard of him, and indeed many locals don’t even know who he is, Schomer is as influential in the gourmet coffee world as Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is in the mainstream coffee industry.”
“This is the first time INTIX has been in Seattle and also the first time INTIX has been in the Pacific Northwest in a very long time,” Reynolds says. “It is a great opportunity to visit this part of the country, and we have put together a great slate of sessions for people to attend [at the conference].”
Reynolds continues, “Seattle has lots of wonderful restaurants, lots of wonderful coffee shops and there are great wineries here too, so there are many options for wine in the city. Seattle also has a lot of great tourist attractions.”
“We cannot wait to host you this January and watch you fall in love with this dynamic, urban city surrounded by unmatched natural beauty. If you want to fit in like a local, leave your umbrellas at home and pack that hooded rain jacket for exploring,” Holowaty says. “To get the most out of your experience here and to be part of the change to help our environment, we encourage you to try out the amazing public transportation Seattle offers. Sound Transit offers a variety of ways to get around the city, including the light rail that you can take directly from the airport to downtown Seattle and just a short five-minute walk to the host hotel. Bring your camera, your rain boots and your sense of adventure and INTIX 2023 in Seattle might just become one of the best memories you ever make.”
Come in early or stay after — you don’t want to miss the sights, tastes and smells of Seattle! If you are not already registered, what are you waiting for? Visit INTIX.org to register today.
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