For several decades, Tony Jilek has been helping to create extraordinary live event experiences. His career in ticketing began unexpectedly when he took a part-time job as a box office representative at Theatre Under the Stars after leaving the insurance sector.

“Initially, I intended to work part-time while searching for a new position, but I quickly fell in love with the industry and decided to stay,” he recalls.

That decision set him on a path of steady growth. Tony went on to serve as Subscription Manager at Houston Ballet, then Director of Ticketing at the Houston Arena Theatre, where he was later promoted to General Manager and assistant to owners Donna and Barry Morgan. He returned to Theatre Under the Stars as Ticket Services Manager before moving to the Long Center for the Performing Arts as Director of Ticketing in 2007, a venue he helped open the following year and still considers his favorite. Over time, he rose to Director of Sales and later returned as Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Guest Services. He also hopscotched between Texas, Nevada and Minnesota, working for organizations including the Smith Centre, the Ordway, AudienceView and McCallum Theatre, before ultimately ending up in California.

The Long Center.

Today, as Strategic Account Manager with AudienceView, he continues to bring together clients, colleagues and communities with a passion for connection and a keen eye for earned revenue strategy.

“In my job, I love being a connector and problem solver for my clients. I believe in their missions and how live events can enhance one’s life in so many ways,” Tony says about the industry he believes is one of the world’s greatest unifiers. “Live events create lasting memories that enrich lives.”

Tony has seen that truth play out across his highly successful career. He recalls one vivid memory from his days at Theatre Under the Stars in Houston. “We assisted Disney in mounting their first musical, ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ with the original cast before going to Broadway. The experience was unforgettable.” Later, he helped open Austin’s Long Center, a project that remains close to his heart. “I love the history of the Long Center, the city and the community,” he says.

Tony in the audience chamber of the Long Center.

His work has also led him to some of the most moving performances of his life. While working with Theatre Under the Stars in the late 1980s and 1990s, he saw Deaf West’s production of “Big River” at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston. “It incorporated American Sign Language (ASL) with singing, creating a performance where both the Deaf community and others were present in the audience. Attendees experienced live theatre that featured actors using ASL throughout the show, and it was one of the most moving live event experiences for me to date.”

Over the years, Tony has come to value not only the productions and the audiences, but also the people who make it all possible. Mentorship, he says, has been essential. One leader stands out. “Jamie Grant is the CEO of Grant Management Group and an exceptionally dynamic leader in the live events space,” Tony remarks. “He came to the U.S. from Ontario, Canada, to fill the role of President and CEO at the Long Center, where we first met. We have known each other for 14 years and have worked together much of that time in different markets.”

Tony at a holiday performance at the Ordway in St. Paul, Minnesota.

That sense of connection is also what keeps Tony so engaged in INTIX. “INTIX is essential for professionals in live events. Networking with peers fosters learning and development, and exchanging stories from real experience is invaluable,” Tony explains. He points to recent discussions around an industry challenge as one example of why those conversations matter. “Recently, a primary topic has been fraud. The discussion has focused on experiences others have had and the methods used to reduce risk.”

Equally valuable, he says, is the chance to learn from others. “Access to colleagues in different genres, personas and regions [is important because it offers] different perspectives ... I really like seeing how others address concerns, challenges, and opportunities in other genres … There are so many brilliant folks I have met through INTIX, which allows me to bounce ideas around and hear how others have solved similar problems or challenges.”

Tony, center, at INTIX 2024 in Las Vegas with, left to right, Jack Rizzo, Becky Borsheim, Kelly Monts de Oca and Jessica Fennig.

If Tony’s career highlights show his dedication to the industry, his personal life reveals the heart behind it. At the center of it all is his husband, Floyd. “We have been a couple for 27 years. He is truly the light of my life,” Tony says. Their relationship even has its own soundtrack. “One of my preferred songs is ‘Crush’ by Jennifer Paige, a classic track that holds special significance as it was associated with the early days of my relationship with my husband. It was our song when we were dating.”

Tony and Floyd.

Family shaped Tony’s values from the beginning. He speaks of his late parents with deep affection. “My father always prioritized his family with genuine dedication. I miss him every day,” he says. “My father worked as a planner for a chemical refinery in Houston. One notable memory is his interaction with my husband, during which he was supportive of our life together. He often spent time in the yard and would garden with my husband.”

Tony and Floyd.

His mother, too, left an indelible mark. “My mother always put her family first. She has been gone for 25 years. My favorite memory of her is her laugh. I still hear it in my dreams.” Helping care for her when she had Alzheimer’s remains, he says, “one of the honors of my life.”

Tony says these lifelong principles now shape how he views others.

“Honesty and loyalty aren’t just principles — they are essential qualities that build trust and strengthen any relationship,” he says. “Integrity in a colleague is vital ... Leaders build their team up — leaders create leaders … [And] to call someone a friend means mutual trust. I hope my friends know that they can count on me.”

Tony with Jimmy Kimmel at the Long Center.

Home today is Southern California. “We have lived in the Palm Springs area for approximately five years. The region is known for its inclusivity towards same-sex couples and its location near various attractions such as the ocean, theaters and national parks, which has made this paradise for us,” Tony says. “The Palm Springs area is our paradise.”

There, he and Floyd share their lives with two miniature schnauzers. “They are not related, but they are the best of pals,” Tony notes. “Milo is 7 years old and Markus is 6 years old.”

Leisure time means pickleball, the gym and plenty of good food. “My husband and I are foodies and love trying new restaurants … We love sushi; however, being from Texas, it’s hard to beat a perfectly cooked steak.”

When asked what he would wish for if given the chance, Tony’s answers show how deeply he values connection. “To have one more day with my father. To have met my partner 10 years earlier. To [have won] the [recent] one-billion-dollar lottery.”

And when asked what brings him the most joy, Tony doesn’t hesitate: “My husband, dear friends and my dogs. I am a simple man who loves people.”

Through it all, inspiration continues to flow from both his personal life and his profession. “Nature, art and live events can spark creativity, along with fellow industry peers who push boundaries and innovate their approaches. Ultimately, it is often about the emotional impact of live events and memories created that serve as a powerful source of inspiration.”

And that, perhaps, is the common thread in everything Tony Jilek does — a belief in the power of moments, relationships and shared experiences that linger long after the curtain falls and the house lights come on.