Session Information
Keynote Speakers
Opening Keynote— Meena Malik
Wednesday, May 27th
1:30 PM- 2:30 PM | Banquet Hall
At the intersection of artistry, healing, and systems change is Meena Malik—a powerhouse creative who brings voice, vibration, and vision into every space she enters. She is the founder of Magpie Cultural Strategies, a social impact firm dreaming into a collectively liberated arts field. With certifications in equity-informed mediation, coaching, and wellness education, and an alumna of the artEquity Facilitator Training, the Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute Facilitation Cohort, Penn Oxford Social Impact Lab, and Intercultural Leadership Institute, she is a sought-after thought partner and mentor across national initiatives. As a musician, sound healer, and arts consultant, Meena (she/her/hers) centers healing as a human right, providing community care through performance, facilitation, and conflict transformation.
Closing Keynote— Aubrey Bergauer
Friday, May 29th
11:00 AM- 11:15 AM | Banquet Hall
12:15 PM- 1:00 PM | Banquet Hall
Aubrey Bergauer is a visionary leader known for revolutionizing the classical music landscape through innovative, results-driven strategies. Dubbed “the Steve Jobs of classical music” (Observer), Aubrey has championed a customer-centric, data-informed approach that has transformed performing arts organizations.
She’s held offstage roles at esteemed institutions, was chief executive of the California Symphony, and is Founder and CEO of Changing the Narrative, where she’s worked with hundreds of arts organizations with budgets ranging from startups to $300 million, helping them build audiences, increase revenue, and elevate their impact.
Her groundbreaking work has been featured in national publications, and her debut book, Run It Like A Business, published in 2024.
www.aubreybergauer.com
@aubreybergauer (Instagram, LinkedIn)
Professional Development
New Colleagues Session
New to the conference? Has it been a few years? This one’s for you! Come meet new colleagues for a primer on the CP Conference.
Tiina Mittler (Moderator), CP Board President
Executive Director, California State University San Bernardino Performing Arts CenterCorrina Lesser (Moderator), CP Board Vice President
Arts and Culture Division Supervisor, City of Beverly Hills
Wednesday, May 27th 9:00 AM- 9:45AM | Banquet Hall
Commissioning and Collaboration: Youth and Family Programming
Wednesday, May 27th 10:00 AM- 10:55 AM | Rickenbacker
Learn about the newly established Theatre for Young Audiences Tour Development Collective, a group of performing arts venues and arts professionals that awards financial support for new artistic work for families and young audiences. After a brief presentation, a panel of members from the Collective will discuss the value of this collaboration, lessons they have learned so far, and what this means for the future of youth and family programming.
Sarah McCarthy, Dandelion Artists
Allison Boles, Director of Learning & Engagement, La Jolla Music Society / The Conrad
Lisa Peterson, Vice President of Education and Engagement, Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Ilaan Egeland Mazzini (Moderator), Director of Programs and Activations, BroadStage
Navigating Venue Management
Wednesday, May 27th 10:00 AM- 10:55 AM | Rickenbacker
10:00 AM- 10:25 AM Putting it all Together: CRM & Ticketing That Benefits Your Entire Organization by AudienceView
Managing ticketing and CRM across multiple venues and departments comes with a unique set of challenges, especially when operating in a university or municipal environment with strict compliance and procurement standards.
In this session, Nick Ronan, Director of US Arts & Culture at AudienceView, explores the benefits of centralizing ticketing at complex organizations like universities and municipalities to reduce costs, share resources, and improve the patron experience. We’ll cover how to make the case for consolidation to internal stakeholders, and how to navigate the most common compliance, finance, and IT hurdles during the process.
You'll leave with a practical worksheet of common system requirements and a high-level understanding of the most frequently used IT and Finance compliance standards to use at the outset of a procurement or consolidation project vs. being held up by red tape at the end.
10:30 AM- 10:55 AM Insider Tips for Venue Management by Prism
Framing & Delivery of Intergenerational Programs
Wednesday, May 27th 11:00 AM- 11:55 AM | Rickenbacker
Join an evolving conversation about programming that welcomes all and entertains across generations. This dynamic session explores the nuances of the audience experience, shifting the focus from traditional youth silos to inclusive, participatory environments. Through a facilitated dialogue and interactive Q&A, we will examine the criteria that define a public family show versus an all-ages performance, the intentions behind the environments we create, and how marketing and pricing structures—from free to ticketed—directly impact programmatic goals.
Sarah McCarthy, Dandelion Artists
Sharlene O’Keefe, Executive Director, Poway On Stage
Ilaan Egeland Mazzini (Moderator), Director of Programs and Activations, BroadStage
Roundtable Discussion on Security and Safety: Approaches in Keeping Vulnerable Communities Safe
Wednesday, May 27th 11:00 AM- 11:55 AM | Banquet Hall
Join a roundtable discussion to share and learn different approaches to security and safety at our venues and programs. Who are your vulnerable communities, and what are the protocols and procedures that you have in place to keep them safe from potential external harms? What kind of training do your staff and volunteers engage in? What are the biggest lessons you have learned?
Corinne Saiers (Moderator), Education and Outreach Coordinator, Carpenter Center, California State University, Long Beach
Case Studies in Collaboration
Thursday, May 28th 9:00 AM- 10:00 AM | Banquet Hall
Collaboration shows up in different ways in the arts, but what does it look like to you in arts presenting? From interdepartmental collaborations to regional programming efforts, explore a series of case studies in collaboration where peers will share successes, challenges, and recommendations for approaching your collaborative practice.
Lenore Naxon, Naxon Consulting
Mónica M. Sahagún, Programs and Activations Manager, BroadStage
Daria Yudacufski, Executive Director, USC Visions and Voices
Lucy Zepeda, Lead Producer, USC Arts in Action
Nuts and Bolts of Contracts and Negotiations
Thursday, May 28th 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM | Banquet Hall
This session offers a practical look at the contract negotiation process, providing strategies and real-life examples. Explore key tools and workflows, learn how to identify and evaluate critical deal points, recognize common red flags, and gain insight into current contract trends.
Max Gustafson, Director of Programming, Presidio Theatre
Eric Bloom, Associate Artistic Director, BroadStage
Jeff Thielke, Theater Executive Director, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
How to Put Together a Development Plan and Get Over Fundraise-o-phobia
Friday, May 29th 11:15 AM- 12:15 PM | Rickenbacker
The title says it all! Join a practical how-to session that breaks down the components of putting together a development plan that aligns with your organization’s mission, size, and structure. Attendees will also get to tackle any fears around “the ask,” with clear strategies and real-world perspectives to help you approach fundraising with confidence and purpose.
Brittany Mulgrew, Director of Development, Livermore Valley Arts
Best Practices in Increasing Incremental Revenue
Friday, May 29th 11:15 AM- 12:15 PM | Banquet Hall
We’ve all been asked to grow revenue, often without bigger budgets or bigger audiences. In this session, three marketing leaders share what’s actually working right now, from testing dynamic pricing and rethinking seat maps to better engaging first-time ticket buyers. We’ll also dig into “vibes marketing” and how elevating the audience experience with ambient elements, outdoor experiences, and artist-driven social engagement can meaningfully impact spending and return visits. Expect honest insights, practical takeaways, and space for conversation, with a Q&A built into each section.
Ruth Egherman, Director of Marketing, Livermore Valley Arts
Brittany Gash, Director of Marketing and Communications, BroadStage
Anica Odell-Smedley, Marketing Manager, The Freight
Register today!
Registration includes Wednesday and Thursday lunches and receptions.
Registration includes Wednesday and Thursday lunches and receptions.
Only one one-day pass per person. Includes lunch and reception on day attending, if offered