INTIX 2025 is now in the record books, with the annual conference and exhibition having successfully returned to New York City for the first time since 2020. As with that great show five years ago, this year’s edition created many wonderful memories that some of the attendees were very eager to share:
The Event
INTIX 2025 was jam-packed with many great workshops, speeches, award presentations and an exhibit hall that had to be seen to be believed. For many, though, it was the basic act of fellowship that has stood out since leaving the Big Apple. David Damerell, Assistant Director of Ticket Services for the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, says, “My favorite memory of INTIX was just catching up with friends and colleagues who I don’t get to see in person very often.”
Jenna Winters, Box Office Manager for the Wisconsin Historical Society, concurred. She adds, “I feel like every time I look back on an INTIX conference, my favorite memory is the time spent with ticketing colleagues I wouldn't otherwise see in person. The same can be said for INTIX 2025 in New York. I love seeing and reconnecting with colleagues, friends, mentors and meeting new people in the industry.”
Josh Klein, Sales Director for accesso, says he will remember the fun that was had: “My favorite memory was our company’s ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ giveaway of tickets for a trip to London to see the show! The promotion created a nice buzz, and we had many people fill out entry slips or stick their business cards in the entry box. And we had many people surround our accesso booth on Thursday afternoon when we announced the winner.”
Harmony McGivney, Box Office Manager for Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, loved the various educational sessions offered throughout the week. Her favorite? “One memory that really stands out is the ‘Start Spreading the News, Regionals Are Here to Stay’ session co-hosted by Lori Murphy and Mandi Grimm. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about what other regional groups are doing. Not to mention the session was hosted by two women I truly admire.”
The awards, though, were the biggest hit. Jessica Lee, Director of Ticket Operations for the Atlanta Braves and Truist Park, states, “The awards lunch is always one of my favorite parts of INTIX every year and this year was no different but busting out the hokey pokey as an adult in a large general session crowd definitely stood out in 2025!”
One of the big winners was Margo Malone, the San Francisco Giants’ Senior Manager of Season Ticket Memberships & Special Projects. She states, “Without a doubt, my favorite memory of INTIX 2025 was being presented with the INTIX Spirit Award during the Awards Luncheon. As Jason Varnish was reading the nomination information, I became overcome with emotion and was genuinely surprised. To be recognized by my peers in the ticketing industry is a true honor and a highlight of my professional career working in sports. Sincere thanks to Kacy Woody, my co-chair on the INTIX 2025 Programming and Education Committee, for nominating me. And having my Giants colleagues, Russ Stanley and Carolyn Uroz, in the audience made the moment even more special.”
Tracy Rae Noll, Director of Sales & Development Services at Penn State University, was also still beaming when recalling the honor bestowed on her at INTIX 2025. She says, “I’d be lying if I didn’t say that my favorite memory from INTIX 2025 was being presented with the Patricia G. Spira Lifetime Achievement Award! Having Russ Stanley, my dear friend of many years, present it to me and having both of my daughters in the room was the crowning glory. It’s a true honor to be recognized by my peers.”
One of those peers is Joe Carter, Senior Director, Sales & Customer Experience for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He says, “Narrowing down to a favorite memory, I’d have to say watching Jane Kleinberger and Tracy Noll receive their well-deserved awards. Having known them for so many years, it was a joy to see their recognition. Oh, and the craziest memory of all was winning the 50/50 raffle ... and so happy to have given that back to INTIX to invest in our future!”
Allison Aoun Bertram, Ticketing Services Manager for Chapman University in California, also came away from INTIX 2025 honored along with her colleagues. She remarks, “Someone once told me that ‘Winners don’t do it for the honor. Do the best you can, and the honors will come.’ That perfectly describes my team. Chapman University Ticketing Services receiving the Outstanding Ticket Office of the Year was truly an honor we’ll never forget, and we appreciate the outpouring of congratulations.”
Perhaps INTIX 2025’s biggest proponent was Josh Ziegenbusch, Senior Director of Ticket and Premium Operations for the Athletics' and this year’s INTIX Board Chair. The latter role has provided him with an array of opportunities and responsibilities. He says, “Having the chance to participate in the INTIX Awards process has been a highlight. I thoroughly enjoyed being on stage to recognize the best-of-the-best in our industry and association. Having so many lifetime achievement award winners present was also a treat. We have so many talented and passionate ticketing professionals and being a part of the conference and the INTIX Awards was an honor.”
The City
Of course, you can’t pick a place like Manhattan and have the host city not be among attendees’ favorite memories. INTIX pros really took to Gotham’s many attractions, restaurants and landmarks throughout the conference.
Jason Mastrine, Global Head of Strategy, Ticketing & Venues for Protect Group, took in a New York Knicks/Denver Nuggets basketball game at Madison Square Garden with partners and friends. Another highlight? “Getting a Milk Bar [the popular dessert chain’s flagship store is in New York City] birthday cake delivered to the hotel to take home to my partner!”
The Great White Way was an especially big draw. Siobhan Steiermann, Vice President of Ticket Operations for the Las Vegas Aviators baseball team, says, “My favorite memory of INTIX 2025 was seeing Broadway on Broadway. I started the conference with ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ and ended with ‘Sunset Blvd.’”
Aren Murray, Tixly’s Operations Manager – US, also got out on the town. Some of her personal favorite stops? “I would have to say creating memories from Breakfast – or rather dinner – at Tiffany’s; Karaoke at RPM, with at least 50 other singers; all the way to seeing ‘Hadestown’ on Broadway for the first time and crying the whole way through!”
Amy Kline, Director of Client Success for Activity Stream, was able to share Gotham with someone very special to her. “My boyfriend, Stefan, met me in New York and we went to see both ‘Death Becomes Her’ and ‘Cabaret,’ two very different shows,” she says. “He was completely mesmerized and loved both shows. He's now a musical theatre convert, and we're planning on buying the Broadway Series tickets at home and talking about a return trip to New York! My first theatre experiences were musicals, and the thrill of seeing a spectacle like a Broadway show is one of the many reasons I'm in this business.”
The Feels
And then there were those treasured memories made that will be warming the cockles of INTIX members’ hearts for a long time to come. One such sentimental member is Ebony Hattix, Director of Guest Relations and Arena Operations for the Memphis Grizzlies/FedExForum. Hattix was at the New York INTIX in 2020 where she won the VenuesNow Ticketing Star Award. She says, “I remember the feeling of honor in receiving this award. This conference, our CEO and President Maureen Andersen gave a heartfelt, open speech that rang in my ears! During the awards luncheon she spoke about being brave and taking care of those who INTIX cares for and cares about, and she said it with such passion and tenacity that I literally teared up."
Hattix continues, “It helped me realize that the people in that room are all ticketing professionals that love not only our profession and venues, but each other through all differences. My family has gotten so much bigger from being a part of the INTIX membership.”
The aforementioned Kacy Woody, Box Office Manager for the City of High Point, North Carolina, was equally wistful and appreciative: “My favorite part of INTIX is always the people — new people, familiar people, inspirational people, collaborative people. I find that they all reignite my passion for what I do. All the best moments that I look back on from New York were those I shared with friends. There were dinners at great little local restaurants, sightseeing in midtown Manhattan, chats while hanging out in the lobby bar or at a table above the action of the exhibit floor.”
Jon Secunda, Director of Box Office Operations for the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Baxter Arena, has perhaps the best memory to sum up his experience at INTIX 2025. “This was the first INTIX for my daughter, Sydney,” he says with pride. “She recently took a position with Innovation Arts & Entertainment in Chicago, and I was able work out bringing her to the conference at the last minute. I certainly loved introducing her to colleagues old and new and watching her interact with the INTIX community. But I think one of the best moments was when she went off to participate in the group photo with all the women ticketing professionals. Very special!”
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