Hoping to see you in Houston...

The National Arts Marketing Project Conference is a little more than a month away, and I am starting to feel like a child just before Christmas! It is the only time during the entire year that I get to see my colleagues from around the nation, and learn about what everyone else is doing. The markets are changing daily. Buying habits are shifting radically. And who knows what is on the horizon. This conference couldn't come at a better time!

This year I am honored to be participating in the following panels and/or presentations:

• Marketing and Fundraising: Marking Your Territory or Joined at the Hip (with Damian Sinclair, Director of Development, Arena Stage)
• Entrances, Exits, and Escalators: Keep Ticket Buyers Coming In and Moving Up
• Roundtable Discussion on PURLs (Personalized URLs)

When I am not speaking, you will be able to find me at the following presentations:

• The Pricing Institute. Thank God that this was added this year. Arena Stage is on the verge of opening the Mead Center for American Theater after a $125 million campaign. The last pricing study that we conducted was several years ago, and we are opening a completely new theater. Not to mention that Alan Brown is pure genius (I think I have a man crush...)
• Love Your Aging Audiences. A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of sitting on a panel with Phillipe Ravanas. That day I realized how much I didn't know. Now is my opportunity to listen to him again. And some have accused me of being too technology-centered for an aging audience.
• Are you an Urbanite? Attracting Young Ticket Buyers and Donors. Well, I figured if I spent the morning learning how to love my aging audiences, I should spend the afternoon trying to figure out how to love myself.
• Free Night of Theater--How it Can Work for You. So a friend of mine from graduate school (Mr. Terence McFarland) and the Chair of my board (Mr. Mark Shugoll) are presenting, so you know I am there. They are both incredibly creative. Oh, and Brad is pretty smart as well.
• Loyalty Strategies: Reinventing the Audience Relationship. I have been hearing about the work NJPAC has been doing with consultant Neill Archer Roan around loyalty programs for a while now. I am excited to hear about it in person.

And even though I have admitted my man crush on Alan Brown, I must say that I can't wait for the plenary luncheon on Monday with Karen Brooks Hopkins, the President of BAM. I have heard from colleagues who have worked with her that she is an amazing manager and an astute fundraiser.

So if you are looking for some interesting ideas on how to navigate the current economic crisis, or just need a good kick in the butt to get reenergized, register today! Don't confuse the National Arts Marketing Project Conference with the other one with a similar name--it might sound the same, but ask previous attendees and they will tell you it isn't by a long shot.