Amid the momentum and constant innovation in live event ticketing, community and professional development present exciting opportunities for growth, learning and meaningful connection. Technologies evolve, audience expectations rise and shifting regulations and revenue demands continue to shape the industry. Through it all, one truth remains: No one thrives in isolation. That is why human networks and community support are not just helpful — they are essential. Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, mentorship and collaboration are lifelines for professionals who want to grow, adapt and advance. And at the heart of this incredible, supportive community stands INTIX, a cornerstone for many in the industry.
INTIX serves as both a launchpad and a landing point. It is a place where professionals at every stage of their career can learn and lean on others. Community is not just an abstract concept here; it becomes real through conferences, mentoring, digital conversations and lifelong friendships.
“For me and my personal journey, [I always want] to learn and continue to develop,” Ebony Hattix, Director of Guest Services, Memphis Grizzlies, says. “[INTIX] has allowed ticketing to be that stepping stone for me to get to the next level in my career. [Ticketing] is a smaller entertainment industry, but the more you know, the more you grow.”
No matter your experience level, whether you are just entering the field or have been in your career for decades, INTIX offers countless ways to stay connected. From in-person experiences, such as the annual INTIX Conference, to virtual engagements like webinars and the weekly Wednesday Wisdom calls, support is always close at hand. Forums on the INTIX website allow members to ask questions, swap stories, and share best practices. There is also the ability to reach out to any INTIX member using the membership directory, and those peers will answer your call.
Mentorship is a particularly powerful part of the ecosystem. Russ Stanley, SVP of Ticket Sales and Client Relations at the San Francisco Giants, shares, “I think INTIX is a great opportunity for those veterans who have been here for a longer period of time to really give back and help mentor the people who are going to replace us somewhere down the road. As we all move on in our lives and careers, having the opportunity to train the group that is going to take over ticketing over the next 20 years is fun.”
Leadership rarely happens in a vacuum. It is cultivated and nurtured by those who came before. Many INTIX members feel a responsibility to uplift the next generation.
“I always have a saying that giving back is important because you have to bring the people behind you [forward],” Hayley Chapman, Senior Director, Ticketing Business Operations and Strategy, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Partnership, says. “They are the next [group] that is going to continue to move this industry forward. It is so important to make sure that they feel confident and that they have direction and passion in the industry. INTIX allows you to join committees, create networks, and it really drives you forward in your career.”
For Margo Malone, Manager of Special Projects and Client Retention with the San Francisco Giants, mentoring is a two-way street. “Over the course of [my career], I have been very fortunate to have mentors who have helped me on my career path. Now … I feel that I have a responsibility to give back.”
Opportunities to lead and gain experience are not reserved for those who are more senior in their careers. Both newcomers and seasoned ticketing professionals can find value in joining committees, volunteering, speaking at the conference, or participating in virtual meetups. These experiences not only boost leadership skills but also build professional visibility and confidence.
“Giving back to INTIX and really getting involved is a force multiplier for what you get out of the organization and the community,” Rebecca Throne, Independent Ticketing Strategy Consultant and INTIX Chair-Elect, says. “It unlocks different layers of understanding [and] opportunities to go deep on subject matter you maybe hadn’t even considered before. It increases your access to different people just by the nature of participating more, but as with any community, you get from it what you put into it.”
The ticketing industry is full of wonderful career paths, and many professionals cite their networks as the bridge to new opportunities. Whether it is pivoting into management, re-entering the workforce or industry after a time away, or stepping into a new organization, the support of a professional community makes all the difference.
Hattix explains that community support and career ambition go hand in hand. “Development is a part of growth, and with any organization or person in the ticketing industry, it is important for you to personally grow as well as develop in your career and your future.”
Anwar Nasir, Executive Director of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, shares a similar sentiment: “INTIX has helped me grow professionally in leaps and bounds. I started out in a regional ticketing group and then became a member of INTIX shortly thereafter. Having that connection to the community has allowed me to see that the work I was doing was larger than my day-to-day job, but that I was a member of a community that was so vast and so wide. They really believed in me and helped me grow as an individual, personally and professionally, and let me know that the work I was doing was really meaningful, impactful, and that I had something to strive towards.”
One of the most meaningful outcomes of community support is a true sense of inclusion. “I get a sense of belonging from INTIX,” Throne emphasizes. “It is also really empowering to be among a group of people who understand what you do and are always encouraging you … to do more and to do the best for your organization [and] … the audiences you’re serving.”
From industry veterans to those just starting in ticketing, the INTIX community ensures that no one feels alone. Linda Forlini, now happily retired, reflects, “I thought I was alone in the world until Patricia Spira (founder of BOMI / INTIX) found me. I now belong to a wonderful community of people who are friends [and] who you can call at any time.”
The INTIX community is large, vibrant and ready to welcome anyone passionate about ticketing and live events. Whether you are looking to expand your network, step into leadership, find mentorship or simply feel understood, INTIX is a place where all of that — and more — is possible.
“INTIX is near and dear to me,” Ashley Voorhees, VP of Administrative Service at Omaha Performing Arts and INTIX Board Chair, says. “I have been a member for many years, and … not only have I seen myself grow in different avenues, but I’ve also moved and taken on challenges that have been successful for me and my career.”
As the industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: The power of community is not optional; it’s essential. And for thousands of ticketing professionals, INTIX is where that community not only exists, but thrives.
“The INTIX community is … all over the world,” Chapman says. “We use all the platforms that are out there, and [we] are constantly learning, teaching and evolving each other to become better professionals within our industry.”
Editor’s Note: If you are not an INTIX member, now is the perfect time to join. Discover support, connection and a community that is here to help you thrive. Click here to become a member today.
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