Leadership / 12.30.19
Getting to Know Your INTIX Community
Christine Payne
Our INTIX “Getting to Know You” interview participants are among the most interesting people in the world of ticketing. We have chosen to showcase their answers to the question “What is your most treasured possession?” in this year-end roundup of the popular series. The responses are always interesting and sometimes unexpected. We hope they will encourage you to find out more about this group of INTIX members by reading the full interviews. You never know what you’ll learn or have in common with an industry peer!
“My parents moved out of their house … after living there for 50 years. There are seven kids in our family, and they split up their belongings among us. My mother gave me our crèche, a Christmas nativity scene. In France, they don’t do Christmas trees like they do in North America. They have nativity scenes instead. My mother has been building her crèche for years, and she gave it to me when she moved out of the house,” says Guislaine Bulman, who was promoted to President of TicketPro in September 2019.
“It’s not a possession, but the most precious things are my friends and people I know who care about me. If I had to say a possession, I have a really cool car. It’s a 1976 MGB. It’s red right now, but I’m going to make it maroon like it was [originally],” reveals Aren Murray, Director of Ticketing at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
Several members named a sentimental jewel or piece of jewelry as their most treasured possession.
"My uncle, who I was very close with, bought raw emeralds in Europe with his partner in the ’80s. He kept them because they were going to do something with them for each other. I got the emeralds when he passed away. My husband Brad and I had them embedded inside our wedding rings,” shares Brian Butler, Director of Ticketing Technology and Operations at Playhouse Square.
“My grandfather’s diamond ring. It was something he literally never took off. My dad was his only son, so when my grandfather passed away, my dad got his ring. My parents gave it to me when I graduated college, and it is something that our family and I treasure. I really only wear it on special occasions. It is nice to know he is there at those occasions with us, and I know it makes my dad happy to see it. I was also able to get two ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) football championship rings when I was with Maryland football as an undergrad. They can’t compare to a Super Bowl or World Series ring, but they are pretty cool,” says Danny Frank, Citi’s Senior Vice President and Global Manager of Client Entertainment and Ticket Services (CEATS) and INTIX 2020 Co-Chair.
“My wedding ring. I don’t have a trophy room or a man cave. I live pretty simply. Our wedding rings are engraved on the inside with a little message that we both came up with before we got married. It also has our date, and it never comes off,” reveals Anthony Esposito, Vice President or Ticketing Operations for the Atlanta Braves.
Furry family members, though not possessions in the true sense, were number one on the list for many members.
“I don’t have any [favorite possessions]. It’s just stuff, and I don’t need stuff. Unless you think a dog is a possession. My dog Bob is a Chihuahua mix with a funny face. He has a serious underbite, a bent ear and he’s only eight pounds,” says Mardi Dilger, the Miami Marlins’ Director of Ticket Operations.
“Bob the dog” is actually somewhat famous in ticketing circles. He was recognized for customer service excellence in our pawsome “Top Dogs in Ticketing” story alongside other ticketing fur babies who can make any ruff day better.
“My pets. No matter what kind of day you are having, your pets love you. They don’t care if you screwed up or had the worst day ever. Currently, I have two cats and three dogs. I only planned on having one of the dogs ― the other four are rescues,” shares Gail Anderson, Ticket Office Manager for the Minnesota State Fair.
"I hate to call him a possession, but I will say our Dachshund. His name is Buddy, and he is the best dog ever. We just love him. Our life is so much better with Buddy in our lives. He is just a great little dog and makes the world a better place. It doesn’t matter what kind of day you’ve had, he just wants to snuggle and go for a walk,” shares Jennifer Aprea, Services and Operations Manager at Meadows Museum and the Conference Chair for #INTIX2019.
"He’s not quite a possession, but the answer is easily my dog, Morty. He’s a mini Bernedoodle, which is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a mini Poodle.” Jenifer LaMorte, Director of Enterprise Consulting for Tessitura Network.
Family and reminders of family hold a special place in the hearts of INTIX members, too.
“I’m not really into material things, but I do have two rocking chairs that were at my grandparents’ house that I remember from the time I was a little bitty. They hold a lot of good memories. I’ll never let them go. I also have several quilts that each of my grandmothers hand quilted. They are definite treasures,” says Crystal Clinton, Director of Ticketing System Administration for Opry Entertainment.
“[For me], it’s a little stuffed tiger. When my granddad passed away, my grandma gave it to me and said he had bought it for me, though I knew grandma had done that. He goes on all my travels! We’ve also just moved into a new flat with my new job and he’s currently sitting by the door, so I see him every day when I go out,” shares Samuel Biscoe, Commercial and Sales Manager who recently moved to Sellador Worldwide as Ticketing Operations Manager.
“My family. Although they’re not a “possession,” they are the only thing I truly couldn’t live without,” reveals Kelly Brennan, Vice President of Operations for FutureTix and Co-Chair for #INTIX2020.
Then there are the items that INTIX members hold dear because they evoke passion for live events, venues and music.
“I have a collection of tickets and game programs from major live events that I’ve attended — including Super Bowls, World Series and Final Fours,” says Josh Logan, Director of Marketing and Ticketing/Championships for the NCAA.
“One day, a friend came into my office with this cardboard box and said, ‘Here, I got you something,’ and it was just a piece of sheet metal,” says Russ Stanley, Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Services, San Francisco Giants. “I said, ‘What is this thing?’ He said, ‘Well, it’s from the Green Monster.’ The left field wall had been partially removed during renovations, and my friend had arranged for a welder buddy to save a piece for me. It even had a certificate of authenticity. In 2007, when the Red Sox were coming [to play], I asked their traveling secretary if he wouldn’t mind getting a few players to sign it for me. He handed it back to me with 30 signatures. I have to think it’s one of a kind. I don’t think anybody else has piece of the Green Monster from Fenway that’s autographed by the 2007 World Series team!"
“[I treasure] my black Takamine acoustic guitar. I play it almost every day. It’s the same type of guitar that Bon Jovi plays, which inspired the purchase,” shares Anja Arvo, Pre-Sales Manager for Red61.
Last and certainly not least, Peter l’anson, Head of Partnerships and New Business for JM Marketing Limited, echoes the sentiments of the Opry’s Crystal Clinton, who is not into material things.
His most treasured possession?
“Nothing. I am not overly concerned about material things and can’t think of anything [of that nature] that I would miss if it wasn’t around.”
Learn more about these and other members of the INTIX community in our “Getting to Know You” interview series.
If there is someone you’d like to see profiled in a future story or if you would like to be interviewed, please share your recommendations with the INTIX Access editorial team at media@intix.org.
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Tags: Leadership