Boot camps are a great way to learn new skills or beef up the ones you already have, and at this year’s Performing Arts Managers Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, Feb. 22-25, attendees will learn about crisis communication. Here’s the teaser description:
Tickets have been sold, the reception is planned, artist contracts are in hand. Suddenly, you and your staff are faced with significant changes to the original plan – the artist is no longer available, the menu requires a complete overhaul AND an unexpected guest is creating all sorts of challenges. Everything is turning upside down!
Through a series of table-top strategy sessions and active hands-on activities, participants will explore how various departments interact when major challenges come down the road. Assisted by industry professionals and experts, participants will explore the interdepartmental collaboration critical to the success of a performing arts venue.
Millie Dixon, principal at Theatre Projects Consultants Inc., and Don Fassinger, manager of the Tempe Center for the Arts, are leading the boot camp this year.
“The initial conference theme was ‘crossroads,” Dixon and Fassinger said. “As the Boot Camp team began the planning process, we discussed how projects often involve multiple departments within a facility operation and how a decision in one department impacts all others. For example, a last minute artist change ripples through all departments with necessary changes resulting in marketing, ticketing, hospitality, production, concessions, etc.”
Dixon and Fassinger said that effective and complete communication is probably the greatest challenge in getting different departments to work together in times of crisis. To supplement how to manage that, attendees will participate in several hands-on activities.
“The Boot Camp focus is all about hands-on activities throughout the afternoon—that’s what makes the Boot Camp exciting,” they said. “Participants will be involved in change overs with lighting and audiovisual equipment, front of house logistics, technology, etc.”
It sounds like it will be a great camp, and there’s still time to register for the conference if you haven’t already.
(Image: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts | Tim Hursley)
