Leadership / 02.22.22
Tessitura’s Jenifer LaMorte on Surviving the Pandemic With Optimism
Teddy Durgin
This story is brought to you by the INTIX Women in Entertainment Technology Program.
You won’t find too many people who love their job more than Jenifer LaMorte, Vice President of Business Development at Tessitura Network. “I’m a lover of all things arts, culture and entertainment,” she says, “and I have been fortunate to spend my career in this sector. In my current role, I partner with arts and cultural organizations around the world on solutions for robust ticketing, customer relationship management, fundraising and more. I am honored to work with organizations on how they can help to grow revenue, build deeper engagement and work more efficiently.”
As with so many decision-makers in our industry, LaMorte’s leadership skills and abilities have been put to the test during the COVID-19 era. But she has risen to each challenge with poise and enthusiasm. “What’s been challenging, and exciting, is how this time has allowed for change in an unprecedented way,” she says. “It would be easy to hold tight to the status quo while things are uncertain, but it’s been much more interesting to challenge all of our assumptions and not be afraid to reinvent what is business-as-usual. From how we do business, to what we offer, to how we see the future; all of it has been re-examined and, thrillingly, has been put into place at a rapid pace.”
She credits her colleagues and co-workers for helping Tessitura survive during the pandemic. The company’s clientele has also made her job just a little easier. Tessitura Network is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative that creates technology, designs services, and cultivates community with the goal of helping the arts and culture sector thrive. The Tessitura community includes over 750 arts organizations and cultural attractions in 10 countries.
“I work in a supportive, forward-thinking, collaborative environment that is focused on the success of the organizations we serve,” LaMorte says. “That mission-driven focus is genuine and very motivating. I also don’t take for granted that I get to partner with a wide array of arts and cultural institutions that are bringing the arts and cultural experiences that were formative for me to their communities.”
Prior to her time at Tessitura, LaMorte worked at Disney Theatrical Group overseeing the revenue management and ticketing for Disney's shows on Broadway and the company’s various North American tours. In addition, she has served as a consultant and held various marketing and public relations roles. She is an active member in the International Ticketing Association (INTIX) and served on INTIX’s board from January 2017 to January 2020 and is the newly elected board Chair-Elect.
“I have degrees in music and arts administration and an MBA,” she says. “I grew up in the Midwest and the South and moved to the New York City area early in my career. So, I sometimes surprise people with an occasional ‘y’all’ or my Kansas City Chiefs fandom. Infrequently, you’ll hear me sing around the house or during karaoke, but I’m a much better audience member than performer these days!”
And as much as she enjoys performing her duties and responsibilities as VP of business development, LaMorte concedes that there are trying days. “I try to be intentional about my time and effort reflecting my priorities,” she says. “But we all have the sea of things that can distract or pull us away from those things that are most important.”
During tough times, she relies on past lessons learned and advice she has taken to heart along the way. “It’s a cliché,” she says, “but be nice to people and have integrity. You never know from where your next opportunity will appear and who will be handing it to you. I have learned myself that empathy and vulnerability can take you a lot further than perfection — and you’ll be a lot happier on that journey.”
LaMorte also stresses the importance of optimism. She is especially feeling positive about the year ahead as the country and the world continue to open back up and the paying public feels more and more comfortable attending live events once again. She concludes, “Absolutely, I’m optimistic. We’ve come through a time of reflection and tremendous change. Now, we get to build the new!”
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Tags: Leadership , Women in Ticketing