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Big Changes are happening at SkyTics

There were many changes for SkyTics in 2011, beyond the two major ticketing system software releases. New faces, new offices, and in December, a new CEO! The founder, Bob Clay, has stepped down as CEO to focus more on the technology and engineering efforts that drive SkyTics’ solutions, and will be working on extending the mobile ticketing features and adding additional social media capabilities to SkyTics.

Patricia Clay, the former VP of Marketing, has assumed the role of CEO and the role of majority stockholder, making SkyTics a woman owned company. Patricia has extensive experience working with performing arts groups of all kinds, and brings with her an understanding of the difficulties such groups face in an environment where there is fierce competition for both entertainment and donation dollars.

A Message from our new CEO, Patricia Clay

It is with great pride and a sense of anticipation that I step into the role of CEO of SkyTics. Having known Bob for many years now on both personal and professional levels, I realize that filling his shoes will be no easy task. However, I am looking forward to the challenge of bringing the SkyTics Ticketing System to the attention of performing arts groups, sports teams and theatres across the USA and beyond.

I have been involved in the performing arts since I was a child having performed with numerous dance troupes, singing groups and various amateur theatre groups. Since moving to Missoula, I have become engaged in the operations side of various performing organizations, sitting on the board for the local Symphony as well as serving volunteer roles in many of the local arts groups. I am well aware of the difficulties facing nonprofit groups with regards to budgetary constraints affecting operating efficiency.

You will be seeing SkyTics at many conferences this year, as well as online and in your email inbox. But I would love to hear from you as well, so feel free to reach out with our new online chat tool at SkyTics.com and just click the Online Consultant chat icon at the top of any of our web pages. You may also call me anytime directly, at (406) 552-1811, ext. 1006, or email me at patricia@skytics.com. Feel free to leave a message on our facebook page and to follow us on twitter. I look forward to hearing from you!

Recent Conferences

SkyTics headed to the Zermatt Resort located in the beautiful Wasatch mountains this January to attend the 5th annual Art House Convergence. As a first time sponsor of the event, SkyTics had the privilege of meeting with Art House Theatres from all over the country. Also in attendance were numerous film distributors as well as film producers, and film equipment suppliers.

The event was well organized offering time slots filled with informative sessions on everything from programming and fundraising to learning about the latest in technological innovations that are changing the face of cinema as we know it. Round table discussions were held during the lunch hour focusing on the issues and challenges faced by art houses in an era of a dwindling donation base coupled with fierce competition for a shrinking amount of entertainment spending.

The Art House Convergence impressed us as a true meeting of the minds and exploration of the passions that surround independent films today. These theatres tend to be locally owned and operated, and mission driven weaving them into the cultural fabric of their communities in a truly unique way. The Art House Theatre clearly appeals to a different type of movie enthusiast entirely than the movie theater chains that market the big budget blockbuster movies. Seeing an independent film in an art house offers an experience that is much more intimate and evocative in both subject matter and atmosphere than your typical trip to the cinema.

I was stunned by the number of movie posters and trailers playing in the common room that piqued my interest. Most of these films I had never heard of, and yet found myself going back to look at the posters over and over again. I definitely have a list of new "must sees" for the next couple of months. Many of the Art House Convergence attendees continued on to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, which followed. Next year SkyTics plans to not only attend the Art House Convergence, but the Sundance Film Festival as well. Who knows, we may be championing our own favorite independent film come next year!

The conference attendees were all energetic, highly motivated, and eager to learn and interact with their colleagues, sponsors, and panel members. The sessions were very informative as the panels were composed of true industry veterans openly sharing their experiences both positive and negative.  Overall the conference was reasonably well orchestrated. The new Director, Laurie Kirby, made every effort to maximize the conference value to the attendees and to the sponsors and personally followed up with SkyTics during and after the conference.  Even though this was one of the smaller conferences we attended this year, for the film and music festival industry it is a very worthwhile event.