Well, this is just a fascinating situation. The path of least resistance is
to quit selling SRO tickets. If artists are being paid the same regardless
of audience turn-out - I'd say they would be very satisfied with a 2/3
house. And you have done your job - you sold all the tickets.
The other two scenarios will require education and cause some headaches for
you - but both would probably widen your patron base in the long run.
General seating would be the simplest to explain and execute. Again -
education would be the key.
This may be one of those times when you are trying too hard to accomodate
folks. You have a good program going. You might just need to relax and
revel in your good fortune. We do as Ron suggested - hold out one table or
whatever you can afford - for the walk ups - and that works pretty well.
Also as Ron says, we've found that overselling the house is sometimes just
not worth the anxiety.
I look forward to hearing what you decide!
Ellen K.
----- Original Message -----
From: "TNPR2 automatic digest system" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 06, 2011 12:00 AM
Subject: TNPR2 Digest - 3 May 2011 to 5 May 2011 (#2011-20)
There are 8 messages totaling 7349 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Your opinion PLEASE! (8)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 11:46:01 -0500
From: "Moskalenko, Tania" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Your opinion PLEASE!
Hello Everyone,
I'm assessing one of our most successful programs at GPAC and would like
your thoughts:
Jazz in the Box is a program we started 5 years ago, presenting live
jazz in our Black Box, on the 3rd Friday of every month, October-April
(excluding December.) We set up the room like a jazz club, with 2-tops,
full bar service, and our patrons enter through the rear of the
building. It has been sold-out in subscriptions for 5 consecutive
years. Although it is sold out there are always 10-15 empty tables of
people who don't show up. So, 2 years ago I decided to sell Standing
Room Only tickets in order to fill empty tables and not have the artists
play to so many empty seats. We sell about 25 SRO tickets. No one has
ever had to stand up since we accommodate them at the tables where
patrons don't show up.
Here is the problem:
My mistake was that from Day 1, I made the tables RESERVED. Patrons are
VERY ATTACHED to their RESERVED tables, but they don't always let us
know if they aren't going to show up, so we are always scrambling to
seat SRO patrons at the last minute, and consequently, start late every
time. Also, we had an upstairs area where we could put any overflow
patrons, but the Fire Department has shut that down. So, we are always
on pins and needles as to how many patrons we will end up with and where
we will put them. The room is 40 X 40.
We just conducted a survey and asked the following question: "I would
not renew my subscription if the venue were open (non-reserved)
seating." All the surveys returned answered "Strongly Agree" or
"Somewhat Agree." We have a long list of patrons just waiting to
"pounce" at the chance of getting JIB tickets, so I don't think we would
lose revenue. If patrons leave, others will take their place.
QUESTIONS:
Would you change things? Would you P*** off your existing patrons by
going to general seating?
Would you make a policy that states that the PAC has the right to 'sell'
their table if they are not here at showtime? (They do this in Europe.)
Would you quit selling SRO tickets and take the chance of the artist
playing to a 2/3 filled house?
Discuss please!
Tania Castroverde Moskalenko
Executive Director
Germantown Performing Arts Centre
1801 Exeter Road
Germantown, TN 38138
901-751-7663
901-751-7514 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
www.gpacweb.com
It's Happening at GPAC!
<https://secure.lunanet.com/gpacdonation/>
Check out our 2010-2011 season ... visit www.GPACweb.com
<http://www.GPACweb.com> . Also, become a GPAC fan on Facebook!
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail message.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 12:08:31 -0500
From: Buster Irvin <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Your opinion PLEASE!
Tania:
Our policy has been on our Sold Out Houses that we start selling
reserved seat at 20 minutes before UNLESS they have call and told us
they are running late. It has worked for years. How are you doing and
am looking forward to seeing you in June.
Thanks
Buster Irvin
Cumberland County Playhouse
P.O.Box 484
Crossville, TN 38555
Phone: 931-484-4324, x226
Cell: 931-200-1086
Fax: 931-484-6299
Email: [log in to unmask]
________________________________
From: Tennessee Presenters, Board & Agents [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Moskalenko, Tania
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 11:46 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Your opinion PLEASE!
Hello Everyone,
I'm assessing one of our most successful programs at GPAC and would like
your thoughts:
Jazz in the Box is a program we started 5 years ago, presenting live
jazz in our Black Box, on the 3rd Friday of every month, October-April
(excluding December.) We set up the room like a jazz club, with 2-tops,
full bar service, and our patrons enter through the rear of the
building. It has been sold-out in subscriptions for 5 consecutive
years. Although it is sold out there are always 10-15 empty tables of
people who don't show up. So, 2 years ago I decided to sell Standing
Room Only tickets in order to fill empty tables and not have the artists
play to so many empty seats. We sell about 25 SRO tickets. No one has
ever had to stand up since we accommodate them at the tables where
patrons don't show up.
Here is the problem:
My mistake was that from Day 1, I made the tables RESERVED. Patrons are
VERY ATTACHED to their RESERVED tables, but they don't always let us
know if they aren't going to show up, so we are always scrambling to
seat SRO patrons at the last minute, and consequently, start late every
time. Also, we had an upstairs area where we could put any overflow
patrons, but the Fire Department has shut that down. So, we are always
on pins and needles as to how many patrons we will end up with and where
we will put them. The room is 40 X 40.
We just conducted a survey and asked the following question: "I would
not renew my subscription if the venue were open (non-reserved)
seating." All the surveys returned answered "Strongly Agree" or
"Somewhat Agree." We have a long list of patrons just waiting to
"pounce" at the chance of getting JIB tickets, so I don't think we would
lose revenue. If patrons leave, others will take their place.
QUESTIONS:
Would you change things? Would you P*** off your existing patrons by
going to general seating?
Would you make a policy that states that the PAC has the right to 'sell'
their table if they are not here at showtime? (They do this in Europe.)
Would you quit selling SRO tickets and take the chance of the artist
playing to a 2/3 filled house?
Discuss please!
Tania Castroverde Moskalenko
Executive Director
Germantown Performing Arts Centre
1801 Exeter Road
Germantown, TN 38138
901-751-7663
901-751-7514 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
www.gpacweb.com
It's Happening at GPAC!
<https://secure.lunanet.com/gpacdonation/>
Check out our 2010-2011 season ... visit www.GPACweb.com
<http://www.GPACweb.com> . Also, become a GPAC fan on Facebook!
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail message.
________________________________
size=2 width="100%" align=center>
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 12:13:49 -0500
From: Chris Dallas <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Your opinion PLEASE!
Tania,
I'm not really sure what your objective is. The way things stand, you've had
5 years of sold out shows (every presenters dream!), and you're DOUBLE
selling 25 seats to the SRO crowd. What a deal. I wouldn't change much.
Let's say you're suppose to begin at 8 PM. The late starting issue can be
solved by adding a 15-20 minute opening act at 8:00, with NO ADDITIONAL
SEATING AT ALL after 8:30. Let the SRO folks have the empty tables until
8:25, and make the season ticket holders wait (if they DO show up) until
after the open act to get their table back.
Any questions? :-)
Mister tough guy,
Chris
On Thu, May 5, 2011 at 11:46 AM, Moskalenko, Tania <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello Everyone,
>
>
>
> I’m assessing one of our most successful programs at GPAC and would like
> your thoughts:
>
>
>
> Jazz in the Box is a program we started 5 years ago, presenting live jazz
> in our Black Box, on the 3rd Friday of every month, October-April
> (excluding December.) We set up the room like a jazz club, with 2-tops,
> full bar service, and our patrons enter through the rear of the building.
> It has been sold-out in subscriptions for 5 consecutive years. Although
> it
> is sold out there are always 10-15 empty tables of people who don’t show
> up. So, 2 years ago I decided to sell Standing Room Only tickets in order
> to fill empty tables and not have the artists play to so many empty seats.
> We sell about 25 SRO tickets. No one has ever had to stand up since we
> accommodate them at the tables where patrons don’t show up.
>
>
>
> *Here is the problem:*
>
>
>
> My mistake was that from Day 1, I made the tables RESERVED. Patrons are
> VERY ATTACHED to their RESERVED tables, but they don’t always let us know
> if
> they aren’t going to show up, so we are always scrambling to seat SRO
> patrons at the last minute, and consequently, start late every time.
> Also,
> we had an upstairs area where we could put any overflow patrons, but the
> Fire Department has shut that down. So, we are always on pins and needles
> as to how many patrons we will end up with and where we will put them.
> The
> room is 40 X 40.
>
>
>
> We just conducted a survey and asked the following question: “I would not
> renew my subscription if the venue were open (non-reserved) seating.” All
> the surveys returned answered “Strongly Agree” or “Somewhat Agree.” We
> have
> a long list of patrons just waiting to “pounce” at the chance of getting
> JIB
> tickets, so I don’t think we would lose revenue. If patrons leave, others
> will take their place.
>
>
>
> *QUESTIONS: *
>
> Would you change things? Would you P*** off your existing patrons by
> going
> to general seating?
>
> Would you make a policy that states that the PAC has the right to ‘sell’
> their table if they are not here at showtime? (They do this in Europe.)
>
> Would you quit selling SRO tickets and take the chance of the artist
> playing to a 2/3 filled house?
>
>
>
> Discuss please!
>
>
>
>
>
> *Tania Castroverde Moskalenko*
>
> *Executive Director*
>
> *Germantown Performing Arts Centre*
>
> *1801 Exeter Road*
>
> *Germantown, TN 38138*
>
> *901-751-7663*
>
> *901-751-7514 (fax)*
>
> *[log in to unmask]*
>
> *www.gpacweb.com*
>
> * *
>
> *It's Happening at** **GPAC!*
>
> [image: SupportGPACButton copy] <https://secure.lunanet.com/gpacdonation/>
> **
>
> * *
>
> * Check out our 2010-2011 season ... visit
> **www.GPACweb.com*<http://www.GPACweb.com>
> *. Also, become a GPAC fan on Facebook!***
>
> * *
>
> P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail message.
>
>
>
--
Chris Dallas
(615) 202-0281
Barbara Bailey Hutchison
BBHsings.com
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 12:47:30 -0500
From: Ron Jewell <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Your opinion PLEASE!
We have much the same problem with our regular shows. We don't hold
seats without payment and we do have a fair number of no shows for each
performance. We feel obligated though to HOLD those seats until the
patron arrives (or not). They paid for the seat and it is up to them
whether they waste it. Pretty difficult to sell someone's seat that
arrives late only to have to go in the dark and ask someone to vacate a
seat you just sold them. I'd prefer to keep problems to a minimum
rather than collect an extra buck or two or two hundred. It's just not
worth the negative PR. If you have that much business, turn the house
and do a late performance. Sometimes making the ticket hard to get
makes people buy early. Also there is always the possibility of raising
the ticket price if demand is there. Might make someone think twice
about not attending too. With all that said, I'd probably leave it like
it is and deal with the anxiety when it arises. Hedge your bet by just
keeping a couple of tables open in case you have a late arrival that
would necessitate asking the "walk-up" patron to move when someone wants
their reserve table.
Ron Jewell, Director
BARTLETT PERFORMING ARTS
AND CONFERENCE CENTER
3663 Appling Road
Bartlett, TN 38133
(901) 385-6440
(901) 827-6440
www.bpacc.org <http://www.bpacc.org>
________________________________
From: Tennessee Presenters, Board & Agents [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Moskalenko, Tania
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 11:46 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Your opinion PLEASE!
Hello Everyone,
I'm assessing one of our most successful programs at GPAC and would like
your thoughts:
Jazz in the Box is a program we started 5 years ago, presenting live
jazz in our Black Box, on the 3rd Friday of every month, October-April
(excluding December.) We set up the room like a jazz club, with 2-tops,
full bar service, and our patrons enter through the rear of the
building. It has been sold-out in subscriptions for 5 consecutive
years. Although it is sold out there are always 10-15 empty tables of
people who don't show up. So, 2 years ago I decided to sell Standing
Room Only tickets in order to fill empty tables and not have the artists
play to so many empty seats. We sell about 25 SRO tickets. No one has
ever had to stand up since we accommodate them at the tables where
patrons don't show up.
Here is the problem:
My mistake was that from Day 1, I made the tables RESERVED. Patrons are
VERY ATTACHED to their RESERVED tables, but they don't always let us
know if they aren't going to show up, so we are always scrambling to
seat SRO patrons at the last minute, and consequently, start late every
time. Also, we had an upstairs area where we could put any overflow
patrons, but the Fire Department has shut that down. So, we are always
on pins and needles as to how many patrons we will end up with and where
we will put them. The room is 40 X 40.
We just conducted a survey and asked the following question: "I would
not renew my subscription if the venue were open (non-reserved)
seating." All the surveys returned answered "Strongly Agree" or
"Somewhat Agree." We have a long list of patrons just waiting to
"pounce" at the chance of getting JIB tickets, so I don't think we would
lose revenue. If patrons leave, others will take their place.
QUESTIONS:
Would you change things? Would you P*** off your existing patrons by
going to general seating?
Would you make a policy that states that the PAC has the right to 'sell'
their table if they are not here at showtime? (They do this in Europe.)
Would you quit selling SRO tickets and take the chance of the artist
playing to a 2/3 filled house?
Discuss please!
Tania Castroverde Moskalenko
Executive Director
Germantown Performing Arts Centre
1801 Exeter Road
Germantown, TN 38138
901-751-7663
901-751-7514 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
www.gpacweb.com
It's Happening at GPAC!
<https://secure.lunanet.com/gpacdonation/>
Check out our 2010-2011 season ... visit www.GPACweb.com
<http://www.GPACweb.com> . Also, become a GPAC fan on Facebook!
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail message.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 13:41:57 -0500
From: Michael Jefry Stevens <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Your opinion PLEASE!
HI Everyone. I agree with Ron. If it ain't broken don't try to fix it.
But, consider offering a late night show. Pay the artists another fee and
make everyone happy.
Michael
Michael Jefry Stevens
9 Flaxen Lane
Asheville, NC 28803
[log in to unmask]
917 916 1363
michaeljefrystevens.com
On May 5, 2011, at 11:46 AM, Moskalenko, Tania wrote:
Hello Everyone,
I’m assessing one of our most successful programs at GPAC and would like
your thoughts:
Jazz in the Box is a program we started 5 years ago, presenting live jazz in
our Black Box, on the 3rd Friday of every month, October-April (excluding
December.) We set up the room like a jazz club, with 2-tops, full bar
service, and our patrons enter through the rear of the building. It has
been sold-out in subscriptions for 5 consecutive years. Although it is sold
out there are always 10-15 empty tables of people who don’t show up. So, 2
years ago I decided to sell Standing Room Only tickets in order to fill
empty tables and not have the artists play to so many empty seats. We sell
about 25 SRO tickets. No one has ever had to stand up since we accommodate
them at the tables where patrons don’t show up.
Here is the problem:
My mistake was that from Day 1, I made the tables RESERVED. Patrons are
VERY ATTACHED to their RESERVED tables, but they don’t always let us know if
they aren’t going to show up, so we are always scrambling to seat SRO
patrons at the last minute, and consequently, start late every time. Also,
we had an upstairs area where we could put any overflow patrons, but the
Fire Department has shut that down. So, we are always on pins and needles
as to how many patrons we will end up with and where we will put them. The
room is 40 X 40.
We just conducted a survey and asked the following question: “I would not
renew my subscription if the venue were open (non-reserved) seating.” All
the surveys returned answered “Strongly Agree” or “Somewhat Agree.” We have
a long list of patrons just waiting to “pounce” at the chance of getting JIB
tickets, so I don’t think we would lose revenue. If patrons leave, others
will take their place.
QUESTIONS:
Would you change things? Would you P*** off your existing patrons by going
to general seating?
Would you make a policy that states that the PAC has the right to ‘sell’
their table if they are not here at showtime? (They do this in Europe.)
Would you quit selling SRO tickets and take the chance of the artist playing
to a 2/3 filled house?
Discuss please!
Tania Castroverde Moskalenko
Executive Director
Germantown Performing Arts Centre
1801 Exeter Road
Germantown, TN 38138
901-751-7663
901-751-7514 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
www.gpacweb.com
It's Happening at GPAC!
<image002.png>
Check out our 2010-2011 season ... visit www.GPACweb.com. Also, become a
GPAC fan on Facebook!
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail message.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 15:00:00 -0400
From: Monroe Area Council for the Arts <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Your opinion PLEASE!
Tania,
Don't think you should do anything which would "P***" off your current
patrons, but do think, under the circumstances, it's reasonable to increase
the ticket price and develop a policy regarding when you "open" the reserved
seats to SRO customers.
Hope you're keeping your head above water.
Mary
On Thu, May 5, 2011 at 12:46 PM, Moskalenko, Tania <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello Everyone,
>
>
>
> I’m assessing one of our most successful programs at GPAC and would like
> your thoughts:
>
>
>
> Jazz in the Box is a program we started 5 years ago, presenting live jazz
> in our Black Box, on the 3rd Friday of every month, October-April
> (excluding December.) We set up the room like a jazz club, with 2-tops,
> full bar service, and our patrons enter through the rear of the building.
> It has been sold-out in subscriptions for 5 consecutive years. Although
> it
> is sold out there are always 10-15 empty tables of people who don’t show
> up. So, 2 years ago I decided to sell Standing Room Only tickets in order
> to fill empty tables and not have the artists play to so many empty seats.
> We sell about 25 SRO tickets. No one has ever had to stand up since we
> accommodate them at the tables where patrons don’t show up.
>
>
>
> *Here is the problem:*
>
>
>
> My mistake was that from Day 1, I made the tables RESERVED. Patrons are
> VERY ATTACHED to their RESERVED tables, but they don’t always let us know
> if
> they aren’t going to show up, so we are always scrambling to seat SRO
> patrons at the last minute, and consequently, start late every time.
> Also,
> we had an upstairs area where we could put any overflow patrons, but the
> Fire Department has shut that down. So, we are always on pins and needles
> as to how many patrons we will end up with and where we will put them.
> The
> room is 40 X 40.
>
>
>
> We just conducted a survey and asked the following question: “I would not
> renew my subscription if the venue were open (non-reserved) seating.” All
> the surveys returned answered “Strongly Agree” or “Somewhat Agree.” We
> have
> a long list of patrons just waiting to “pounce” at the chance of getting
> JIB
> tickets, so I don’t think we would lose revenue. If patrons leave, others
> will take their place.
>
>
>
> *QUESTIONS: *
>
> Would you change things? Would you P*** off your existing patrons by
> going
> to general seating?
>
> Would you make a policy that states that the PAC has the right to ‘sell’
> their table if they are not here at showtime? (They do this in Europe.)
>
> Would you quit selling SRO tickets and take the chance of the artist
> playing to a 2/3 filled house?
>
>
>
> Discuss please!
>
>
>
>
>
> *Tania Castroverde Moskalenko*
>
> *Executive Director*
>
> *Germantown Performing Arts Centre*
>
> *1801 Exeter Road*
>
> *Germantown, TN 38138*
>
> *901-751-7663*
>
> *901-751-7514 (fax)*
>
> *[log in to unmask]*
>
> *www.gpacweb.com*
>
> * *
>
> *It's Happening at** **GPAC!*
>
> [image: SupportGPACButton copy] <https://secure.lunanet.com/gpacdonation/>
> **
>
> * *
>
> * Check out our 2010-2011 season ... visit
> **www.GPACweb.com*<http://www.gpacweb.com/>
> *. Also, become a GPAC fan on Facebook!***
>
> * *
>
> P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail message.
>
>
>
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 14:13:09 -0500
From: Christi Dortch <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Your opinion PLEASE!
This is a fabulous conversation!
After reading all the comments I think I still feel the same as I did when I
first considered my response.
I don't think you should upset your customers. Always hard to recover from.
I do think you could increase the price.
Use Marketing to help with this, such as:
Due to overwhelming interest in this series we want to share a few updates
to the program with you. The prices are going up, but this will allow us to
continue I grow this series and artist names. (and it might get those who
are not really planning to attend to drop out).
In hopes of making sure our artists and audience always have the best
experience, we will also allow last minute customers to claim any empty
seats at 10 minutes before show time.
If you are able to accommodate calls from customer, then I love the idea of
"if you call us to say you are running late, we will hold your seats." But
even then I think you have to put a time limit on it such as "at the late
seating hold, if you are not yet here, we will allow someone to take your
seats and accommodate you as we are able when you arrive".
Just me thoughts.
Christi Dortch
Vice-President of Programming, Sales & Event Services
Tennessee Performing Arts Center
Get Social: TPAC.org<http://www.tpac.org/> |
Facebook<http://www.tpac.org/facebook> |
Twitter<http://www.twitter.com/tpac> | YouTube<http://www.tpac.org/youtube>
From: Tennessee Presenters, Board & Agents [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Michael Jefry Stevens
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 1:42 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Your opinion PLEASE!
HI Everyone. I agree with Ron. If it ain't broken don't try to fix it.
But, consider offering a late night show. Pay the artists another fee and
make everyone happy.
Michael
Michael Jefry Stevens
9 Flaxen Lane
Asheville, NC 28803
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
917 916 1363
michaeljefrystevens.com
On May 5, 2011, at 11:46 AM, Moskalenko, Tania wrote:
Hello Everyone,
I'm assessing one of our most successful programs at GPAC and would like
your thoughts:
Jazz in the Box is a program we started 5 years ago, presenting live jazz in
our Black Box, on the 3rd Friday of every month, October-April (excluding
December.) We set up the room like a jazz club, with 2-tops, full bar
service, and our patrons enter through the rear of the building. It has
been sold-out in subscriptions for 5 consecutive years. Although it is sold
out there are always 10-15 empty tables of people who don't show up. So, 2
years ago I decided to sell Standing Room Only tickets in order to fill
empty tables and not have the artists play to so many empty seats. We sell
about 25 SRO tickets. No one has ever had to stand up since we accommodate
them at the tables where patrons don't show up.
Here is the problem:
My mistake was that from Day 1, I made the tables RESERVED. Patrons are
VERY ATTACHED to their RESERVED tables, but they don't always let us know if
they aren't going to show up, so we are always scrambling to seat SRO
patrons at the last minute, and consequently, start late every time. Also,
we had an upstairs area where we could put any overflow patrons, but the
Fire Department has shut that down. So, we are always on pins and needles
as to how many patrons we will end up with and where we will put them. The
room is 40 X 40.
We just conducted a survey and asked the following question: "I would not
renew my subscription if the venue were open (non-reserved) seating." All
the surveys returned answered "Strongly Agree" or "Somewhat Agree." We have
a long list of patrons just waiting to "pounce" at the chance of getting JIB
tickets, so I don't think we would lose revenue. If patrons leave, others
will take their place.
QUESTIONS:
Would you change things? Would you P*** off your existing patrons by going
to general seating?
Would you make a policy that states that the PAC has the right to 'sell'
their table if they are not here at showtime? (They do this in Europe.)
Would you quit selling SRO tickets and take the chance of the artist playing
to a 2/3 filled house?
Discuss please!
Tania Castroverde Moskalenko
Executive Director
Germantown Performing Arts Centre
1801 Exeter Road
Germantown, TN 38138
901-751-7663
901-751-7514 (fax)
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.gpacweb.com<http://www.gpacweb.com>
It's Happening at GPAC!
<image002.png><https://secure.lunanet.com/gpacdonation/>
Check out our 2010-2011 season ... visit
www.GPACweb.com<http://www.GPACweb.com>. Also, become a GPAC fan on
Facebook!
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail message.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 17:40:22 -0500
From: "Moskalenko, Tania" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Your opinion PLEASE!
Thank You for your responses, insights, thoughts, and recommendations.
I LOVE that we can use this forum to bounce ideas and thoughts off of
each other. I value and respect your input and will take your thoughts
seriously as I make a decision moving forward into our next season.
Thank You!
Tania
From: Christi Dortch [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 2:13 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Your opinion PLEASE!
This is a fabulous conversation!
After reading all the comments I think I still feel the same as I did
when I first considered my response.
I don't think you should upset your customers. Always hard to recover
from. I do think you could increase the price.
Use Marketing to help with this, such as:
Due to overwhelming interest in this series we want to share a few
updates to the program with you. The prices are going up, but this will
allow us to continue I grow this series and artist names. (and it might
get those who are not really planning to attend to drop out).
In hopes of making sure our artists and audience always have the best
experience, we will also allow last minute customers to claim any empty
seats at 10 minutes before show time.
If you are able to accommodate calls from customer, then I love the idea
of "if you call us to say you are running late, we will hold your
seats." But even then I think you have to put a time limit on it such
as "at the late seating hold, if you are not yet here, we will allow
someone to take your seats and accommodate you as we are able when you
arrive".
Just me thoughts.
Christi Dortch
Vice-President of Programming, Sales & Event Services
Tennessee Performing Arts Center
Get Social: TPAC.org <http://www.tpac.org/> | Facebook
<http://www.tpac.org/facebook> | Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/tpac>
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From: Tennessee Presenters, Board & Agents [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Michael Jefry Stevens
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 1:42 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Your opinion PLEASE!
HI Everyone. I agree with Ron. If it ain't broken don't try to fix it.
But, consider offering a late night show. Pay the artists another fee
and make everyone happy.
Michael
Michael Jefry Stevens
9 Flaxen Lane
Asheville, NC 28803
[log in to unmask]
917 916 1363
michaeljefrystevens.com
On May 5, 2011, at 11:46 AM, Moskalenko, Tania wrote:
Hello Everyone,
I'm assessing one of our most successful programs at GPAC and would like
your thoughts:
Jazz in the Box is a program we started 5 years ago, presenting live
jazz in our Black Box, on the 3rd Friday of every month, October-April
(excluding December.) We set up the room like a jazz club, with 2-tops,
full bar service, and our patrons enter through the rear of the
building. It has been sold-out in subscriptions for 5 consecutive
years. Although it is sold out there are always 10-15 empty tables of
people who don't show up. So, 2 years ago I decided to sell Standing
Room Only tickets in order to fill empty tables and not have the artists
play to so many empty seats. We sell about 25 SRO tickets. No one has
ever had to stand up since we accommodate them at the tables where
patrons don't show up.
Here is the problem:
My mistake was that from Day 1, I made the tables RESERVED. Patrons are
VERY ATTACHED to their RESERVED tables, but they don't always let us
know if they aren't going to show up, so we are always scrambling to
seat SRO patrons at the last minute, and consequently, start late every
time. Also, we had an upstairs area where we could put any overflow
patrons, but the Fire Department has shut that down. So, we are always
on pins and needles as to how many patrons we will end up with and where
we will put them. The room is 40 X 40.
We just conducted a survey and asked the following question: "I would
not renew my subscription if the venue were open (non-reserved)
seating." All the surveys returned answered "Strongly Agree" or
"Somewhat Agree." We have a long list of patrons just waiting to
"pounce" at the chance of getting JIB tickets, so I don't think we would
lose revenue. If patrons leave, others will take their place.
QUESTIONS:
Would you change things? Would you P*** off your existing patrons by
going to general seating?
Would you make a policy that states that the PAC has the right to 'sell'
their table if they are not here at showtime? (They do this in Europe.)
Would you quit selling SRO tickets and take the chance of the artist
playing to a 2/3 filled house?
Discuss please!
Tania Castroverde Moskalenko
Executive Director
Germantown Performing Arts Centre
1801 Exeter Road
Germantown, TN 38138
901-751-7663
901-751-7514 (fax)
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.gpacweb.com <http://www.gpacweb.com>
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End of TNPR2 Digest - 3 May 2011 to 5 May 2011 (#2011-20)
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