INTIX is many things — a conference, a community of like-minded professionals, a content hub with timely stories about our industry, a year-round network and a place that just feels like home.
As a community, or a tribe, we come together each January to learn from each other, inspire one another and recognize the incredible things we are doing to advance entertainment ticketing. We also shine a spotlight to thoughtfully recognize those who are working at the highest level of expertise, regardless of their titles.
This year, in addition to the annual awards honorees, INTIX is delighted to congratulate its very first IMPACT Award recipient. This award is new in 2019 to honor INTIX’s 40th anniversary. Each year, the recipient will be a person or organization that has provided continuous support for a lasting impact on INTIX, with the recipient selected by the INTIX Board Chair.
“There are people and organizations out there who have made, and continue to make, an impact on INTIX as a membership association, which then in turn positively impacts our industry,” says Kay Burnham, INTIX Board Chair and VP of Guest Services at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. “Similar to the Academy Honorary Award and Special Tony Award, our IMPACT Award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to elevate our organization but do not fit into any of our existing awards categories.”
IMPACT Award – Linda Deckard
The first recipient of the INTIX IMPACT Award is Linda Deckard — a professional who is so much a part of our industry that she really needs no introduction.
For several decades, Linda has been a public and passionate supporter of INTIX through Amusement Business, Venues Today/VenuesNow and her latest venture Based on Truth, which shares “behind the headlines” moments based on true stories in venue management. Based on Truth is a precursor of even bigger stories — books about the industry.
From creating the Ticketing Star Awards and the INTIX quarterly for Venues Today/VenuesNow, she has continuously elevated our industry and those who work tirelessly behind the scenes in entertainment ticketing. From the thoughtful way she approaches interviews and the ancillary things she does in her personal work to her latest steps to tell the stories of our industry, Linda continues to hold INTIX as a precious part of her journey and life’s work.
“Linda’s passion, commitment, knowledge and drive have been impactful to INTIX in a way that is really hard to quantify. She really represents the characteristics that the IMPACT Award is designed to honor,” says Burnham. “Her desire to see INTIX thrive, grow, gain industry exposure and to get our message out — these are all things that we want to acknowledge and recognize with gratitude.”
INTIX Spirit Award – Gail Anderson
The 2019 Spirit Award recipient is Gail Anderson, Ticket Office Manager for the Minnesota State Fair. Selected by the INTIX membership, the Spirit Award is given annually to an active member who represents enthusiasm, friendship, participation and cooperation to colleagues and to the industry.
As the first to step up to volunteer at a conference, mentor a new member, or take a member’s call on the busiest day of the year, Gail is a wonderful embodiment of the INTIX spirit. She has been instrumental in forming a regional ticketing group and a separate committee that helps with programming for annual INTIX conferences. Gail also has an incredibly positive personality, which makes her a perfect spirit ambassador.
“Even though Gail is a quiet participant and doesn’t make a big splash, she has obviously had an incredible impact on our membership,” says Burnham. “You don’t have to be out in the spotlight all the time to show that you have spirit for INTIX and have it recognized.”
FutureTix Young Ticketing Professional – Duncan Moss
The recipient of the 2019 FutureTix Young Ticketing Professional Award is Duncan Moss, Associate Director of Ticket Operations Manager for Ravinia Festival. Each year, the recipient of this award is an INTIX member under the age of 35 who exemplifies the future of INTIX and the profession.
Duncan is a terrific manager and master collaborator who combines talent, a positive attitude, strong work ethic and skilled leadership. He is continually taking on new challenges to deliver the best experience for customers. At the same time, Duncan focuses on expanding his knowledge and expertise. His drive to innovate positions him as important and emerging industry influencer.
“Duncan is extraordinarily dedicated, enjoys a challenge and has a desire to continue learning and do better, regardless of the task at hand,” says Burnham. “Among his recent accomplishments, Duncan tackled and solved timed ticketing when Ravinia Festival was facing this issue for the very first time. He has also spent the past three years working closely with his colleagues to significantly enhance the donor and patron experience through ticketing and fundraising technology as well as process improvement.”
Outstanding Ticketing Professional – John Harig
The 2019 Outstanding Ticketing Professional is John Harig, VP of Ticketing Services for the Cincinnati Arts Association. This award recognizes a colleague who sets a standard of excellence for other INTIX members with regard to leadership, achievement and professionalism.
A steadfast presence in the industry, John is steering his organization in an innovative and relevant direction. He embraces new technology, strategic initiatives and new partnerships to strengthen revenue streams and the overall customer experience. As well, John has been an active INTIX member for the past 25 years, always leading by example, supporting his colleagues and giving generously of both his time and expertise.
“John is there for everyone. He is gregarious, has a vast amount of knowledge that he willingly shares and has high integrity,” says Burnham. “John loves INTIX, loves what we do as an industry and is a role model for future leaders.”
Outstanding Ticket Office – Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
The 2019 Outstanding Ticket Office is the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, Texas.
Each year, this award is presented to a ticket office with an exceptional reputation for customer service. The staff must also function skillfully and professionally as a team and the ticket office must maintain a standard of excellence.
The care that the Tobin Center exhibits towards its customer base — which includes patrons of resident companies like Ballet San Antonio, OPERA San Antonio and the San Antonio Symphony — is immensely important to the strength of its brand and as the face of clients who use the facility. Customer service is even more critical for its success. The Tobin Center ticket office acknowledges this by personalizing their approach to communication and the strategic selling of tickets.
“In this age of entertainment ticketing, it is less about the technical nature of what we do and more about the experience that our patrons have coming to us,” says Burnham. “Customer service is rising to a much higher level of importance and it’s critical for INTIX as an association to recognize those who are doing it well.”
Patricia G. Spira Lifetime Achievement Award – Linda Forlini
INTIX’s highest honor is The Patricia G. Spira Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2019 recipient is Linda Forlini, Vice President for Ticket Philadelphia.
This award is given annually to a member who has made a major contribution to the ticketing industry by helping set standards of excellence in all aspects of ticket management, and who been actively involved in the continuing development and organization of INTIX.
“I’m thrilled that Linda is receiving this award. She does an amazing amount for INTIX, both visually and behind the scenes,” says Burnham. “Linda has energy, passion and drive like I’ve never seen and her lifetime career is astonishing. What she has been able to do with every organization that she has worked for is incredible and she wholeheartedly deserves this recognition.”
At the same time, Linda has done so much for INTIX, it is almost impossible to summarize her contributions in a way that does them justice.
Linda gives in countless ways selflessly and without fanfare. She is a giver of her time, her knowledge and her funds. Linda has served on the INTIX Board, chaired committees, is a frequent speaker, provides strategic counsel and immediately says yes whenever she is asked to help. She also counsels countless members who approach her for their peer-to-peer needs.
It is a little-known fact but absolutely worth heralding that Linda is, hands down, the highest individual contributor to INTIX. She budgets and plans to contribute in meaningful ways on an annual basis because she believes that it is the most important way she can give back to an organization that has given her so much.
Linda also stands out because she is literally a first — the first to register for the conference each year, first to renew her membership (and those of her organization colleagues), first to give a donation for every fundraising campaign that INTIX runs, first to bid on conference auction items, first to volunteer to be of service on committees and in any other way that she can help, first to secure a new sponsor or exhibitor and the list goes on.
“We appreciate and are grateful to our INTIX members when they take the time to nominate their peers for these awards,” says Burnham. “It’s important that we keep doing this, that we keep growing and refining our awards program. Recognizing our leaders is a very important part of what we do.”
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