In Part 1 of this two-part article, we explored the INTIX Mentor Program from the viewpoint of the various committee leaders — past and present — who have been tasked with shepherding the program and bringing mentors and mentees together. This week, we are showcasing the actual mentors and mentees themselves and their shared experiences.

One of the first to respond to my calls for comment was Jason Mastrine, Global Head of Strategy Ticketing & Venues for Protect Group. As a mentor, Mastrine has emerged as one of the program’s biggest proponents. He says, “I've found that most mentees are looking to become their best professional selves and are willing to work hard to get there. As we all know, though, that's not an overnight journey. I think what this program allows for is short cutting that process. We give mentees the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and experiences rather than solely their own.”

Another mentor to go on record was Amber Patton, Ticketing & Box Office Manager for Penn State York’s The Pullo Center. She herself started out as a mentee. She states, “It really gave me the boost in my self-esteem and morale that I am good at what I do. My mentors really pushed me to be more active in INTIX, and I finally went to my first conference. I enjoyed it so much. I knew I wanted to spread what I had learned and loved and decided to become a mentor. On both sides, I feel like each of them learns from one another and the bonds that you create and the ideas and passions you share are truly amazing.”

Darren Coelho, Assistant Athletics Director, Ticket Operations at San Jose State University, is one mentor who acknowledges that he has indeed learned quite a lot himself. He explains, “It allows for open discussion and brings a viewpoint from everyone involved. Yes, as the mentor, I have more experience overall. But with something that may be a new topic or trend, the mentee can help me equally. The sharing of ideas is great, and the conversation of experiences helps with existing issues or certainly prepares if those issues arrive down the road.”

Josh Klein, Sales Director for accesso, was more analytical in his praise of the INTIX Mentor Program: “The ticketing industry continues to evolve, and whether you are new to the business or someone looking to keep up with the trends, having a mentor to connect with helps position yourself for future success. The networking that comes with a mentor-mentee relationship is quite valuable and proliferates the camaraderie within our industry.”

Tammy Enright, Business Analyst for the Office of Visitor and Guest Services at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, feels the program is a natural extension of INTIX’s annual conference and other networking opportunities that association membership provides. “You can deepen the relationship with someone you only met briefly, or maybe someone you wouldn’t have otherwise gotten a chance to know,” she says. “And not just the one-on-one mentor/mentee connection. You get to meet others who are participating and the committee members who make it all happen.”

Learning All About the INTIX Mentor Program, Part 1

In Part 1 of this series, read more about the INTIX Mentor Program, which has become a great way to connect veterans, relatively new ticketing professionals and those who have been in the industry for a while and needing a boost or wise counsel. 

Read More

The mentees I spoke to also had similarly high praise for the program. Bonnie Shappell, Director of Ticket Services at the Aspen Music Festival and School, has been in the ticketing industry for more than two decades. Only recently, though, did she join the INTIX community for the 2024 conference.

She says, “My motivation for becoming a mentee was aimed at learning how other ticketing professionals with long and wide-ranging careers navigated their own paths in the field to find themselves where they are today. After working with my mentor, I received insight into how similar the day-to-day work-life challenges and successes are across various roles and felt less alone in my position as the only year-round ticketing staff member at my organization.”

Marissa Topham, Caine College of the Arts’ (CCA’s) Box Office Manager, has also felt more connected thanks to the program. She remarks, “I wanted to become a mentee because I wanted to expand my knowledge of what other people do. How they work, their different methods, their different ideas and advice. All five mentors that I have had are so different from each other. They all work in different realms of ticketing — university, PAC, ticketing companies — and each one has provided me with some amazing guidance, each in different areas.”         

Brad Bailey, Ticketing Manager for the Owensboro Convention Center and Sportscenter, echoed her sentiments: “I thought [becoming a mentee] would be a great way to get to know people in the industry. After talking with some friends at INTIX and hearing more about it from their perspective, it was something I knew I needed to get signed up with. I even signed up in the middle of term for my first one. It’s been great to have someone to converse with and bounce back ideas or hear about situations that they are dealing with.”

Motivation was a common theme that both mentors and mentees had when getting involved in the INTIX Mentor Program. Coelho and Mastrine were very similar in their motivation. The former says, “I honestly wanted to give back, and I wanted to also speak regularly with someone that either I didn't know in the industry at all or maybe didn't know well.”

The latter adds, “INTIX is a community that's given me a multitude of opportunities throughout my career. Being a mentor is one way for me to give back, and in doing so, I’ve found that it’s not just about what I give, but what I receive in return — new perspectives, personal growth, and the satisfaction of contributing to something greater than myself.”

Having been on the mentee side and had such positive experience, Patton says, “I just knew I wanted to share my passions and love for the industry with others, whether they were new to the industry, changing careers or just needed someone to bounce ideas off of. I hope to offer guidance and give them the self-esteem and push they need to be the best version of themselves — not only in their ticketing role, but just as a person.”

Others had similar sentiments. Klein, for instance, says he enjoys the feedback, “especially when people are genuine and gracious for any advice or leadership I can provide.”

And for those reading this who are still on the fence, our mentees were eager to offer their encouragement. Shappell is among the most passionate, advising, “If you have an idea about what you want to gain from a mentorship, ask every question, listen to every answer and see where the conversation navigates itself. Regardless of age, status, position, location, job title or company, each person’s perspective and experience can be educational and insightful to yours.”

Topham, meanwhile, urged, “Sign up … now! It is terrifying meeting your first-ever mentor, I know. But I promise, it will benefit you in so many ways, even if it is just knowing someone else in ticketing. And did you know you get to pick your mentor? They have fact sheets about them that include which systems they have experience with, what their specialties are in the world of ticketing, and some other little info to help you decide who can meet the needs you have at that time.”

Bailey was equally insistent. “Don’t wait on it,” he advises. “If you are thinking about joining, do it! Don’t think you need to wait for a new term to start if you are in the middle of one. My mentor has been so easy to talk with. And, if something comes up for a planned meeting we have, we just reschedule it. It’s been a great experience so far!”

Perhaps Aren Murray, U.S. Operations Director for Tixly, summed it all up best when asked why she decided to become a mentor: “I first thought, ‘I do this with people already. Why do I need to make it official?’ Then I realized that by only mentoring people who are in my reach who are bold enough, or close enough, to ask, I am not helping with the diversity and growth of the ticketing world. … It is an honor for the mentees to allow me to see their hopes and dreams and advise them as best I can. They have allowed me to be blunt and push for a deeper understanding. I have seen all of them experience new successes due to their dedication to career improvement and personal growth. The fact that they trusted me with their private hearts makes my heart sing. They have made me proud!”

You May Also Like

• Learning All About the INTIX Mentor Program, Part 1
• 24 Ticketing Industry Trends: What to Expect in 2024 and Beyond, Part 3

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