Leadership / 12.19.23
Holiday Wishes From Across the INTIX Community
Christine Payne
The holidays are here! While we cannot overlook the ongoing global challenges, we hope your hearts are full of love amidst the season’s magic. May you be surrounded by the twinkle of lights, the laughter of loved ones and the aroma of a fine meal.
To share warmth and good cheer across the INTIX community, we asked ticketing professionals about their holiday wishes. As the season inspires us, we share their most heartfelt desires.
“My grown-up Christmas wish! That people could see the beauty in the world around them. Instead of focusing in on the ugly, unhappy and unworthy problems and gripes that we let live rent free in our minds, I wish that people could see the wonder in a smile, the joy in a child and the excitement in the opportunity to change. I wish we could share the warmth of love, kindness and joy without shyness and fear of judgement. That we could grow in grace for ourselves and others. I wish for a day when open heartedness is not perceived as naïve, and that goodness is treasured,” Aren Murray, U.S. Operations Manager for Tixly and a member of the INTIX Board of Directors, says. “And if all of that is not too much to ask, maybe the bonus wish is [that] eating a full batch of Christmas cookies would make you skinny.”
On a recent Wednesday Wisdom call, Aren also reminded the community of a beautiful song, “Grown-Up Christmas List.” The Christmas classic was originally written by David Foster and Linda Thompson-Jenner in 1989 and recorded as a duet with Foster and Natalie Cole. A version with only Cole on vocals was released on David Foster’s 1990 album “River of Love.” The lyrics touch the heart and reflect several of our INTIX members’ wishes.
“My holiday wish is for more time to enjoy with friends and family. We all get so busy, and I think of so many people often, and then work and life intervene and next thing you know the time is gone. So, time for sure,” Shawn Robertson, Ticket Sales Director for the Center Theatre Group, says. “And my grandmother’s homemade chocolate chip cookies. I have her recipe if anyone with baking skills wants to make my holiday.”
The gift of time was also top of mind for Laura Zehe, Senior Director of Operations at True Tickets. “More time with my parents” who have passed away is her heartfelt desire.
Ashley Voorhees, Vice President of Administrative Services for Omaha Performing Arts, wishes for time slightly differently. “I would like to have a solid night of sleep and wake up refreshed the next morning,” she says.
David Damerell, Assistant Director of Ticket Services at Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, wishes for “rest before my crazy on-sale season.”
“Kindness,” Mardi Dilger, who is now retired after a successful decades-long career in ticketing, says. “Not the kind you receive praise for but the quiet gesture of compassion. A smile, a call, a card, a parcel of food for the corner homeless asking, shovel your neighbors’ walk, tip well and a million other ways to extend quiet kindness. This is easy to do, not just a wish.”
“The wish I have for this holiday season is the same wish I hold all year long: May everyone treat themselves as kindly and compassionately as they would treat a dear friend,” Kay Burnham, founder of Perceiving Possibilities, says.
“If I had one wish for the holidays, it would be for everyone in the world to be blessed with empathy,” Ebony Hattix, Director of Guest Relations and Arena Operations for the FedExForum/Memphis Grizzlies, says. “If everyone understood each other's perspective a little better, I believe we could actually have a more human world and society. As related to ticketing, well, maybe everyone would purchase from proper platforms so that all our buildings would be sold out for every event and everyone's ticket would be great at the doors.”
Dani Rose, Managing Director at Art-Reach in Philadelphia, wishes for us to always think of others. “My wish this holiday season is that while we are making our wonderful cozy memories with family and friends, we make sure we include our family and friends with disabilities. Simple things like seating, low volume music and inclusive spaces make sure that everyone is sharing a warm wonder throughout this season of light and are not made uncomfortable or not being excluded from the occasion.”
Dani continues, “On a personal note, I wish peace and safety for our worldwide human family. And equal human rights across the planet. For everyone to see the value in our differences and appreciate every other human in this world for who they are.”
Many of our members wish for peace on earth, and peace for those being held against their will.
Danny Frank, Citi’s Senior Vice President and Global Manager of Client Entertainment and Ticket Services, wishes for “all the hostages to be released.”
“My one wish for the holidays (and beyond) is for peace,” Joe Carter, Senior Director of Sales and Customer Experience for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, says. “The complexities of our world can be overwhelming — be they personal, ideological, political, religious, regional, national or international. When we can see each other as whole human beings (including our faults, struggles and failures), then we can recognize our commonality and look to build a positive and productive future together.”
“If I had the power, I would wish in total peace for mankind and that there would be no conflicts,” Charles Edinger, Director of Ticket Operations for Ticket Star, a division of PMI Entertainment Group, says.
Charles adds, “I do wish everyone an enjoyable and safe Christmas and a Happy New Year!”
Paul Froehle, Vice President of Ticket Operations for the Minnesota Twins, echoes the wishes of his colleagues, hoping for peace on earth and for everyone to get along. “Everything has to be so political,” he says. “Can we just get by all this and have everyone meet in a room and make decisions that are best for all of us, then we move forward together.”
Frankie Accardi-Peri, who led a team of Deadheads that fulfilled the band’s many mail-order ticket requests, wishes for the same. “Peace on Earth!” she says of her holiday wish. Frankie also hopes for a new grandbaby.
Anthony Esposito, Vice President of Ticket Operations for the Atlanta Braves, is wishing for another championship season following the team’s win in 2021. “Another World Series ring,” he says. “Go Braves!”
In the spirit of abundance, there were wishes for increased financial means. One such wish for “more money” came from Skypp Cabanas, Senior Manager of Ticket Operations for Center Theatre Group. Skypp is a true adventurer who would undoubtedly use the extra cash to create lasting memories while taking in entertainment experiences and traveling the world. He is also a generous fundraiser who raises money each year for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
David Winn, Box Office Manager for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, had a similar wish. He wishes for “a slot machine with thousands of dollars dropping coins in my pocket.” Let’s hope this wish comes true for David or another INTIX member when we gather in Las Vegas for the upcoming 45th Annual INTIX Conference and Exhibition.
Speaking of entertainment experiences, Jacque Holowaty, CEO and Co-Founder of HALM Development, has a wish, too. In her “Wildest Dreams,” she envisions an “Enchanted” evening out with her kids. When Jacque thinks about it, she can’t quite “Shake It Off.” And sometimes, I just can’t help myself while writing these stories. I mean, Taylor, “Look What You Made Me Do.” OK, I’ll stop now, but incorporating song titles and lyrics into stories sure is fun :)
“My one wish for the holidays would be to secure tickets to Taylor Swift in Vancouver, B.C., to take my kids,” Jacque says. “I have been in the industry for 20 years and they have seen a lot of iconic events, but if I could pull this off, they might finally appreciate the career in ticketing I have had, and for one night, I won't be like a regular mom, but I'll be a cool mom (cue ‘Mean Girls’ reference).”
Jacque continues, “I obviously also wish for only amazing things for my friends and family, but it was only one wish … and well, Taylor made the cut.”
As we close out this story and the 2023 year, Jamie Brouse, Box Office Manager at Bucknell University, has a simple yet vitally important wish. To “stay healthy.”
INTIX friends, we wish the same for you. Along with good health, we wish you all the happiness, hugs and new memories your heart can hold.
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Tags: Leadership , Holidays