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Timing of Holds

Kelley McGuire
$organization

All:

I am new to the box office.  I am inquiring about a system regarding when to release holds and how long to hold onto holds.  People I have spoken to say it is a learned process and that it takes time.  In addition, the worse a show sells, the sooner holds can be released, where as the better a show sells, the longer one should keep the holds.

I am wondering if any institution has a system (for example, if none of the press holds have been used a week before the show, 50% get released) in place, and if so, what that system might be?

Thank you in advance for any information.

Kelley McGuire
Metropolitan Museum of Art 

  • Former Member
    Former Member $organization

    Hi Kelley,

    I'm sure every company out there has a different method/theory/policy on how they handle their ticket holds, and when they release them.  For us it depends on the type of show currently running, how sales have been, and if we have heard from our Marketing/Production/Development Departments for any seating needs. Generally speaking, if none of our VIP/Press seats have been internally requested, we release them one week before the show; house seat holds we keep up to 15 minutes before curtain; and we almost always keep our usher seat holds. 

    Hope this helps, and Happy Holidays!

     

    Beth Jones, Patron Services Manager

    Broadway Rose Theatre Company

     

     

  • $organization
    Hi, Kelley!

    Honestly; it'll vary from venue to venue. In one place I worked, the rule was anything except the Front of House holds were released 24 hours before the show. But that's because it was a smallish auditorium and tickets were often in huge demand.

    At Grange Park, we don't use holds at all... But again; it's a very different business model.

    Honestly, I don't think it makes a difference provided the people responsible for those holds keep to the guidelines you set. Me; I err on the side of caution and have very few holds and release them early. After all, there's usually some wiggle room if you get a last minute VIP!

    Find a system that works for you and it'll be grand.

    C.//
    X.

    On 23 Dec 2014, at 21:22, Kelley McGuire <bounce-kelleymcguire6315@tessituranetwork.com> wrote:

    All:

    I am new to the box office.  I am inquiring about a system regarding when to release holds and how long to hold onto holds.  People I have spoken to say it is a learned process and that it takes time.  In addition, the worse a show sells, the sooner holds can be released, where as the better a show sells, the longer one should keep the holds.

    I am wondering if any institution has a system (for example, if none of the press holds have been used a week before the show, 50% get released) in place, and if so, what that system might be?

    Thank you in advance for any information.

    Kelley McGuire
    Metropolitan Museum of Art 




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