Annual Meeting Professional Development Sessions

Paranormal Snacktivity: Super-Charging Your Concession Superpowers | Presented By: Randy McKay
Tuesday, June 16th | 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM | ATCH Auditorium

About This Session: Are you prepared to meet the Phantom “perfect” concession item? Do you face the Specter of declining revenue? Are your guests Ghosting you after looking at your long lines? Unlock another world of paranormal concession income in this practical guide to nearly magical tools you can use tomorrow to instantly increase sales in your venue operations:

• What signage boosts sales?
• How do I price for optimal sales?
• What should I sell – and what should I scrap?
• What items make patrons look forward to coming to my theater for the concessions as much as for the show?
• And what smells so good anyway?
• Do I really need a Point of Sale system?
• How can I ring more sales out of only a 20-minute intermission?
• What does Bojangles have to do with my theater?
• And could I be making money from concessions even on non-show-days?

Paying as much attention to the concession and bar operations as you do to the show itself will reap huge rewards and supply a steady, strong income for your operations. This interactive discussion presents real-world proven strategies and industry research to help you optimize this important part of your theater’s business model. But most of us aren’t restaurateurs by trade, so we’ll investigate these mysteries together and unlock the goldmine already in your venue.

Learn More About Randy McKay

Tour-Ready: What Presenters, Artists, and Agents Actually Need From Each Other | A Panel Discussion
Tuesday, June 16th | 4:15 PM to 5:15 PM | ATCH Auditorium

About This Session: This session brings together presenters, artists, and agents for a candid conversation about what it actually means to be “tour-ready” today and how each role can better support successful touring outcomes. Through a moderated panel discussion, we’ll explore best practices across the touring ecosystem, including preparation and materials, communication expectations, realistic routing and budgeting, timelines, and common disconnects that can stall or derail bookings. Panelists will share perspectives from each side of the table and offer practical insights into how stronger alignment can lead to more sustainable touring relationships. This session is designed to be accessible and relevant for presenters, artists, and agents alike, with an emphasis on clarity, collaboration, and professional standards that benefit the entire field.

Moderated by: Suzanne Livesay, Executive Director of the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country

Session Panelists:

• Rae Geoffrey, Managing Director of the Wortham Center
• Kris Kaminski, Senior Managing Partner of ECE Touring
• Jason Lyle Black, Founder & Artistic Director of Marcato Artists
• Amy Pridgen, Centre Director of the Renaissance Centre

From Values to Action: Building Sustainable Arts Organizations from the Inside Out | Presented By:Josh Jacobson
Wednesday, June 17th | 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM | ATCH Auditorium

About This Session: In a time when organzations are being asked to deliver more value with tighter resources, clarity of values becomes a strategic advantage. In this session, Josh Jacobson will explore how core values and guiding principles function as the operational DNA of arts organizations – shaping leadership behavior, informing board governance, strengthening culture, and guiding thoughtful growth. Participants will examine how clearly defined values can help sustain staff morale, improve decision-making, align boards and leadership, and provide direction during periods of disruption and change. Through practical examples and facilitated reflection, attendees will leave with a framework for using values as an anchor for culture, sustainability, and strategic scaling within arts organizations.

Learn More About Josh Jacobson

Arts and Concert Marketing: Digital Strategies for 2026 | Presented By: Bryant Chappell Marketing Specialist, Rockhouse Partners
Wednesday, June 17th | 11:15 AM to 12:00 PM | ATCH Auditorium

About This Session: Digital advertising platforms and tools have changed dramatically over the past 12 months, leaving many marketers wondering why strategies that worked for years are suddenly far less effective. Rapid shifts in ad stack technology, automation, and targeting have introduced new approaches that can feel unfamiliar, even counterintuitive, to marketers who have relied on these platforms for years.

This session provides a practical overview of the digital advertising landscape in 2026 and the platforms shaping modern event marketing. We'll explore how Meta ad strategies have evolved, along with key updates in email marketing, SMS, Google Ads, paid search, and emerging channels like TikTok. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how these platforms work today and how to use them more effectively, improving campaign efficiency and getting more from your marketing budget.

Learn More About Bryant Chappell