Since 2019, Access has celebrated the women of the ticketing industry through the Women in Ticketing series. In these profiles, brought to you by the INTIX Women in Entertainment Technology Program, these industry leaders share their career journeys and, most importantly, advice for women rising up in the industry.
Now that we’re halfway through 2021, spark some inspiration by revisiting the women featured — and their best pieces of advice — so far this year.
Paciolan’s Lisa Langham on Looking Back and Looking Forward
While being interviewed for this feature article, Lisa Langham surprised herself a little when she came to the realization: “Oh gosh, I’ve been in the ticketing industry in some form or fashion for more than half my life at this point!”
As such, Paciolan’s Senior Director of External Operations is a great person to give advice to young people just entering the business, especially young women. “I would encourage a young woman just starting out to advocate for herself,” she says. “As women, I think we often find it hard to speak up and ask for what we want or what we feel we deserve. We struggle to express the value we bring and, too often, settle for less.”
Read more about Lisa.
Phoebe Joecks: Professional Ticketing Chameleon
It’s no wonder that longtime industry pro Phoebe Joecks refers to herself as a “ticketing chameleon.” A quick look at her LinkedIn page provides all the proof one needs that the moniker is an appropriate one. For over 25 years, Joecks has served in all facets of ticketing and box office operations for a wide variety of venues and clients.
She’s quick to offer advice to any young women reading this who are looking to achieve some of the success she’s enjoyed. “Network, stay relevant and don’t burn any bridges,” she says. “But that really goes for anybody. Any gender, any person of color, etc. Be a good human!”
Read more about Phoebe.
Lori Garza Is Certain She’s Ready for the Uncertain Future
For many, the pandemic has meant stagnation, frustration and great uncertainty about the future. For some, though, this past year has also meant reflection, regrouping and reprioritizing. So has it been for Lori Garza, Patron Services Manager (PSM) for Denver Arts and Venues.
Garza is especially encouraged by the number of young women entering the business and the future that is ahead of them. Her advice to them is simple and straightforward: “Figure out what kind of life you want in this industry ... Knowing what takes priority in your life early on will help you to find balance and guide your decision-making process.”
Read more about Lori.
Lori Murphy: Capitalizing on Opportunities in the Nation’s Capital
Lori Murphy, Assistant Ticket Manager for the Washington Nationals, loves the pure end result of her job. “I enjoy watching people watch the game,” she says. “I think my part of this job is helping people make happy memories.”
Throughout her career, Murphy has received several tidbits of wisdom that have stayed with her to this day. Her friend and colleague, Julie Lovins, advised her “not to show too much emotion or even acknowledge the low blows.” Her former Nationals boss, Stacey Lesanto, told her, “never to underestimate myself or think that I’m not qualified for a new role or job,” she says.
Read more about Lori.
INTIX Legend Jennifer Staats Moore Has Some Impressive Stats and Insights
In INTIX circles, Jennifer Staats Moore is sometimes referred to as the “Godmother of Regional Ticketing Groups.” She has been a leading proponent of regional ticketing since 1999. She created the RTA Starter Kit, which has since been used as the blueprint for starting a new regional ticketing group. She co-founded the Women in Ticketing group on Facebook, which has grown to more than 800 members. And she has long worked with INTIX members to form and maintain regional ticketing groups in their communities.
Staats Moore is more than willing to share advice with younger INTIX professionals, especially women. “You are unique, just like the current times, so find a way to stand up and stand out,” she says. “Find a way to balance life and work.”
Read more about Jennifer.
Ticketing Pro Christy Grantham Talks Career Challenges and Hopes for the Future
Christy Grantham, Director of Ticketing for The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina, says she most loves the “magic parts” of her job. “When there are just no seats available,” she says, “but then we make something happen, and we find the seats.
Grantham is very encouraging of young women who are entering the profession today, along with women who are new to ticketing who’ve come from other industries. “Make yourself more useful than you have been trained to be,” she says. “Offer solutions to problems or challenges that no one else in the office has noticed or talked about yet. And when you see that next opportunity, be ready to take it!”
Read more about Christy.
There’s more where that came from! Look forward to more Women in Ticketing features coming throughout the year, and look back on all of the advice the leading ladies of INTIX have to offer on Access.
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