The Value of Mentorship

Mentorship provides valuable relationships for professionals at all stages of a career, especially in the ticketing community. Mentors give guidance and support to mentees as they embark on their career paths and help them find themselves, and, for that, INTIX members are incredibly grateful. If you are interested in becoming or finding a mentor, learn about the value of the INTIX Mentor Program from Mentor Program Committee co-chairs Kelly Brennan and Duncan Moss.

As a bonus, as we celebrate the holiday season and reflect on the passing of another year, INTIX members share their gratitude on Access.

INTIX Mentor Program

Originally designed for conference first-timers, the INTIX Mentor Program was founded to allow more experienced or knowledgeable members to guide others in all things ticketing. Now, the program allows all INTIX members to participate as mentors or mentees. Kelly Brennan, Mentor Program Committee co-chair and past Member Connections Committee chair, was involved in the creation of the original INTIX Mentor Program, “I spearheaded the group of volunteers that made up the Mentor Program Task Force … I continue to serve as co-chair and as a mentor to several mentees each year.”

Duncan Moss, Mentor Program Committee co-chair, joined the Mentor Program Task Force in early 2018 and aided Kelly in growing the program outside of the conference. Moss says, “In early 2019 … the INTIX Mentor Task Force officially became the INTIX Mentor Program Committee — a benchmark for us and all of the volunteers we continue to celebrate to this day.”

As mentors and mentees themselves, Brennan and Moss understand the value this relationship brings to a career in ticketing. According to Brennan, mentorship “brings tremendous value to all parties involved … it opens you up to the INTIX network, allowing you to learn from people who have tons of experience, helping you be the best at your job that you can be.” Moss concurs, “Guidance goes a long way. After seeing the benefits of having a mentor, I signed up myself to be a mentor to help offer any expertise I can to other industry people.”

Mentorship is especially important in the ticketing industry. “The industry is just so small,” Moss says. “People don’t realize we’re actually an industry of small thousands that continually utilize each other to help move the needle forward — whether it be technology or customer service, it’s all done together.”

“Seeking mentorship can help expose people to new best practices, policies, procedures, technologies, products, services and more, allowing that person to better complete their job as well as find new opportunities that continue to excite them, helping ensure work isn’t a chore as much as it is a passion,” Brennan says.

It would be remiss of the co-chairs not to share their thanks for their mentors. “Dan DeMato … is my boss, but he always manages to set that aside and give me the best advice possible to help me grow individually as a person, as well as a leader in the industry,” Brennan says. “He’s always supported me and made sure that I know I can do anything I set my mind to.” Moss gives a nod to his co-chair, “Kelly Brennan is one of the most passionate and hardworking individuals I’ve ever worked with in our industry, accomplishing more in a day than I accomplish in a month. And Jennifer Butler, my boss and friend, is the same way when it comes to always trying new things and never saying no.” Without their impact on his life, Moss says, he would not have won the 2019 INTIX Young Ticketing Professional Award.

Read on for more tributes to mentors from INTIX members.

Sharing Gratitude

	“My list is so long I fear leaving someone out in my attempt to honor those I am thankful for. So let me say that I am thankful for the entire INTIX community of friends, family and colleagues, from my longtime past and present co-workers to new friends made in recent years. My 25 years as a member has changed my life in so many wonderful ways. So to INTIX, I say thank you for making me the person and professional I am today. Love you all.” —Shawn Robertson
	“I am grateful for Deirdre Naff! She is one of those amazingly selfless people who is purely excited to see people succeed and will do anything in her power to help them get there. I’ve been blessed to work with her at some capacity for over 20 years, and I learn something new nearly every day.” —Denise Smith Greaves
	“Holly McKenzie took me to my first INTIX conference, and I loved it! She is a mentor, a colleague and a friend. Thankful for her.” —Michael Ciaccia-Tedesco
	“Amy Koenig Pelzl was my first ticketing friend and introduced me to INTIX! She has such spirit and love for the industry, and I would not have stayed on this career path without her.” —Aren Murray
	“Aren [Murray], you and Amy [Koenig Pelzl] were mine! You both are my heroes!” —Laura Zehe
	“Buschie. Hands down. Marla Hoicowitz Ostroff and Matt Whelan, also. My first ticketing job came to me via Dan Kirsch in 1982 at the Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Then, of course, my BSO Mentor Russ Hodsdon. Now I work with someone who inspires me every day. Thank you, Amy K. Aldrich … A mentor and hero — love you, Albert Leffler!” —David Chandler Winn
	“For me, it would have to be Pat Spira. She literally was the first person I encountered in INTIX (formerly BOMI). When I came to pick up my registration material in Las Vegas, she just happened to be standing there. She didn't recognize me (because it was my first conference), so she came up and introduced herself. From there, a lifetime colleague and friendship was born. She always believed in what I was trying to do, with respect to trying to carve out a new ticketing business, and having to swim upstream! My gosh, such great memories. And so many new colleagues and lifetime friendships were created over 33 years ago. I have been blessed.” —Jack Lucas
	“Hatti Simpson for being a fun-loving and total boss babe. She excels at everything she does and has spreadsheet skills I can only dream of.” —Samuel Biscoe