Etix Blast! 2025 Full Schedule
September 3 - 6 | Raleigh, NC
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT BLAST!
Etix Blast! is our annual Client Summit held each September in downtown Raleigh, NC alongside the Hopscotch Music Festival. It is the perfect mix of networking, industry education, and fun for our clients and partners, packed with Etix University training workshops, partner sessions, and social events.
WHERE?
Sheraton Hotel,
Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina
WHEN?
September 3 - 6, 2025
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Wednesday, September 3
Welcome to Blast! Join us for heavy hors d’oeuvres and tasty drinks as we kick off the 2025 conference.
Sponsored by NIVA
Thursday, September 4
Welcome to Blast 2025! Check in at the registration table in the Sheraton Hotel and network before our keynote begins.
This cross-departmental Etix update will get you up to speed and primed for two days of learning, networking, and general fun-having at Blast.
Join CEO and Founder Travis Janovich with CPO Chris Battaglino to look back at where Etix has been–and most importantly–where we’re headed in the future, recounting some larger-than-life tales along the way.
Lunch is on us! Dine and relax before sessions begin.
Attend box office and marketing sessions, industry panels, browse Exhibit City and meet our sponsors, and get your questions answered in Learning Lab.
Keep an eye on your phones! On Thursday and Friday afternoons, we’ll message info for two unique Pop-Up Happy Hour locations out in the wild. Explore beyond the parameter of the conference and enjoy a pre-dinner drink on us at some of Raleigh’s finest watering holes.
Sponsored by Allianz Partners
Network with your peers, enjoy drinks and snacks, and enjoy the sounds of the Hopscotch Music Festival from the VIP Lounge in the Capital Room at the Sheraton.
Join us for our last call party where we keep the drinks and food flowing. Pace yourself and stay hydrated!
Friday, September 5
We kept you up late the previous night, so let’s start day two with an easy, mid-morning brunch. While you’re refueling, get to know some of our conference partners and sponsors in a speed-round-style showcase.
This session explores how brand identity, audience trust, and company culture come together to drive real audience development.
Early birds, rejoice! We’re opening up Learning Lab in the morning and running throughout Friday. Sign up in advance or see the check-in desk for appointment info.
This session is all about execution – how to bring your brand to life in ways that attract new audiences and keep them coming back.
Attend box office, marketing, and industry sessions; browse Exhibit City and meet our sponsors.
Share your knowledge and experience! Join round table discussions on a variety of the most-used Etix products and features.
Pop-Up Happy Hours are back with two fresh destinations downtown. Explore beyond the parameter of the conference and enjoy a pre-dinner drink on us at some of Raleigh’s finest watering holes. Keep a lookout for a message containing day-two location info on Friday afternoon.
Network, enjoy drinks and snacks, and enjoy the sounds of the Hopscotch Music Festival from the VIP Lounge in the Capital Room at the Sheraton
Saturday, September 6
Rejuvenate, refuel, and relax with brunch in our Saturday Recovery Lounge while bidding fond farewells to friends new and old. Grab a bite before you hit the drive out of town, or take a moment to decompress before catching your flight. We’ll see you next year!
DETAILED SESSION SCHEDULE
Etix in Focus
(10:00 am – 10:50 am)
Room: Oak Forest A & B
Presenters: Aaron Bare, Etix Chief Marketing Officer; Chris Battaglino, Etix Chief Product Officer; Molly McGlothlin, Etix Director of Client Success; Alyssa Newell, Etix Director of Training; Marshall Pred, Etix Director of Sales; Michael Reklis, Etix Director of Sales; Dennis Scanlon, Etix Vice President of Sales; Maddie Snider, Rockhouse Partners Director of Marketing Services;
Who Should Attend: Everyone!
Description: Welcome to Blast 2025! Our opening session unpacks the latest news and most exciting innovations from the past twelve months at Etix. This cross-departmental update led by our Etix experts will get you up to speed and geared up for two days of learning, networking, and good times as we celebrate our 25th anniversary at Blast.
25 Years of Etix
(11:00 am – 11:45 am)
Rooms: Oak Forest A & B
Panelists: Travis Janovich, Etix Founder/CEO; Chris Battaglino, Etix Chief Product Officer
Who Should Attend: Everyone!
Description:Join CEO and Founder Travis Janovich with CPO Chris Battaglino to look back at where Etix has been–and most importantly–where we’re headed in the future, recounting some larger-than-life tales along the way.
Welcome to the Etix Family
(12:45 pm – 1:15 pm)
Room: Hannover III
Presenters: Chris Battaglino, Etix Chief Product Officer; Kevin Brosseau, Etix Product Manager; Kimberly Kolb, Etix Director of Client Success; Molly McGlothlin, Etix Director of Client Success; Alyssa Newell, Etix Director of Training; Kia Slade, Etix Support Department Manager; Maddie Snider, Rockhouse Partners Director of Marketing Services;
Who Should Attend: New & Future Clients
Description: New to the Etix system, or planning to make the switch? This panel discussion will give a brief overview of the Etix conversion process and the resources available to you in the system to make a smooth transition.
Product Demo: Seat Relay
(1:15 pm – 2:15 pm)
Rooms: Oak Forest A & B
Presenter: Chris Battaglino, Etix Chief Product Officer
Description: Say hello to Seat Relay, a secure secondary platform where Etix ticket holders can confidently and reliably resell or transfer tickets.
Exhibit City
(1:30 pm – 4:30 pm)
Rooms: Oak Forest A & B
Description: Visit our sponsors and experience all the equipment Etix has to offer with hands-on demos.
Sponsored by Data Capture Solutions, Soti, and more.
Learning Lab
(1:30 pm – 4:30 pm)
Rooms: Governors I & II
Description: Connect one-on-one with Etix Staff, ask us questions, and learn more about using the Etix system.
Reporting 101
(1:30 pm – 2:15 pm)
Room: Hannover I
Presenter: TBA
Who Should Attend: Ticketing Professionals
Description: Build a strong foundation in reporting by exploring key concepts like report levels, the differences between receipt and revenue reports, and the essential reports every box office manager should know.
Marketing Everything But Meta
(1:30pm – 2:15pm)
Room: Hannover II
Presenters: TBA
Who Should Attend: Marketing Professionals
Description: We’ll dive into tools beyond Facebook and Instagram, including email marketing, SMS campaigns, Google Ads, paid search, and TikTok. You’ll learn how to leverage these tools to expand your event’s reach, engage new audiences, and drive ticket sales. From crafting compelling email content to optimizing search ads and creating viral TikTok moments, this workshop will give you the skills to diversify your event marketing strategy and achieve even greater results.
Show Me the Money: Settlements Explained
(2:30 pm – 3:15 pm)
Room: Hannover I
Presenters: Brian Crossland, Etix VP of Finance; Alyssa Newell, Etix Director of Training; Shon Stump, Etix Settlements Manager
Who Should Attend: Venue and Organization Management, Finance
Description: Our accounting experts will show you how to run, understand, and analyze the three main reports that are included in all of your weekly settlements.
Meta Masterclass
(2:30pm – 3:15pm)
Room: Hannover II
Presenters: TBA
Who Should Attend: Marketing Professionals
Description: Learn how to develop a Meta marketing strategy tailored to your organization’s goals. We’ll walk you through creating high-impact campaigns using Meta’s latest audience targeting and optimization strategies. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how Meta’s tools can amplify your marketing efforts, drive ticket sales, and reach new audiences. Whether you’re looking to refine your approach or start from scratch, this masterclass will provide you with the insights needed to get the most out of Meta.
What’s New? Rockhouse Web and Mobile App Team Update
(2:30pm – 3:15 pm)
Room: Hannover III
Panelists: TBA
Who Should Attend: Marketing Professionals
Description: Join us to review 2025’s most significant web and mobile application developments!
System Marketing Features
(3:30pm – 4:15pm)
Room: Hannover I
Presenters: TBA
Who Should Attend: Box Office and Marketing Professionals
Description: Unlock greater profitability for your events by leveraging data-driven tools that help increase sales, grow your audience, and expand your customer database. This session covers how to use built-in social media features, track sales effectively, and more.
Understanding Analytics
(3:30pm – 4:15 pm)
Room: Hannover II
Panelists: TBA
Who Should Attend: Marketing Professionals
Description: “Why aren’t tickets selling?” How many times have we all heard this question from management, promoters, board members, or other stakeholders? In this session, we’ll delve into real-world case studies to help you diagnose the most common marketing reasons for slow sales. We will explore key concepts like the conversion funnel and web traffic sources to uncover why fans may not be responding to your marketing efforts. Learn to interpret data from Etix reporting, Google Analytics, and Meta to gain actionable insights, address problems proactively, and answer those tough questions with confidence!
Feature Spotlight: Special Offers
(3:30pm – 4:15pm)
Room: Hannover III
Presenters: TBA
Who Should Attend: Box Office and Marketing Professionals
Description: Discover the difference between performance passwords, password-protected price codes, discount codes, offer codes, passcodes, buy X get Y, price code dependency, and campaigns to find which options work best for your organization.
Learning Lab
(10:00 am – 2:30 pm)
Rooms: Governors I & II
Description: Connect one-on-one with Etix Staff, ask us questions, and learn more about using the Etix system.
Story First: Building Brand Loyalty Through Audience Development
(10:00 am – 10:45 am)
Rooms: Oak Forest A & B
Moderator: Aaron Bare, Etix CMO
Panelists: TBA
Who Should Attend: Everyone!
Description: Authenticity is more than a buzzword – it’s one of the few true advantages independent organizations have in today’s crowded live events landscape. You may not control routing or budgets, but you can control how your organization shows up: the story you tell, the voice you use, and the consistency with which you communicate it. This session explores how brand identity, audience trust, and company culture come together to drive real audience development. Hear from leaders who have launched new concepts, revived legacy spaces, and built experiences from the ground up – each tapping authenticity as a strategic tool for audience growth, communication, and connection.
Sponsor Speed Round
(10:45 am – 11:15 am)
Rooms: Oak Forest A & B
Description: Get to know some of our conference partners and sponsors in a speed-round-style showcase.
Your Brand in Practice: Translating Story Into Strategy
(11:15 am – 12:15 pm)
Rooms: Oak Forest A & B
Moderator: Aaron Bare, Etix CMO
Panelists: TBA
Who Should Attend: Everyone!
Description: This session is all about execution – how to bring your brand to life in ways that attract new audiences and keep them coming back. We’ll explore how brand identity can surface through booking, fan experience, visual design, staff interactions, and marketing voice to connect with the right audience and turn them into loyal, repeat buyers. Panelists will share how they apply these elements each day to create connections that drive attendance and craft a culture that will keep your fans coming back for more.
Exhibit City
(12:30 pm – 3:30 pm)
Rooms: Oak Forest A & B
Description: Visit our sponsors and experience all the equipment Etix has to offer with hands-on demos.
Sponsored by Data Capture Solutions, Soti, and more.
Level Up Your Point of Sale with Octave
(12:30 pm – 1:15 pm)
Room: Oak Forest A & B
Presenters: Etix Product Team
Who Should Attend: Everyone!
Description: Say hello to Octave – a new integrated point-of-sale solution from Etix. Take an inside look as Chief Product Officer Chris Battaglino demonstrates how you can gain a more informed, 360-degree view of your fans and streamlined sales operations with Octave’s vendor and buyer app user interfaces.
Better Booking: Today’s Tools and Tactics for Talent Buying
(12:30 pm – 1:15 pm)
Rooms: Hannover I
Moderator: Michael Reklis, Etix Director of Sales, Music Clubs & Festivals
Panelists: TBA
Who Should Attend: Everyone!
Description: Successful talent buying requires more than a good gut – it demands informed insight from the right tools and dependable data. We’ll walk through the practical platforms and data sources to make smarter, more informed programming decisions. From analytics to route-friendly partnerships, this session is a crash course in savvy buying that balances data with intuition and local flavor with broader strategy.
Your Business, Your Brand: Cobrands, Ticket Layouts, and Emails
(12:30 pm – 1:15 pm)
Room: Hannover III
Presenters: TBA
Who Should Attend: Box Office Professionals, Marketers
Description:Discover how to customize your tickets and membership cards, and add your branding to Etix emails and sales links for a cohesive customer experience.
Marketing Authenticity
(1:45 pm – 2:30pm)
Room: Hannover I
Presenters: TBA
Who Should Attend: Marketing Professionals
Description: Finding the right fans is essential in today’s overstimulated, algorithm-driven landscape. Learn why authentic advertising and investing in design matter now more than ever. Explore tools that leverage first-party data alongside paid channels, and how AI-powered ad platforms like Google Performance Max and Meta Advantage+ can be used to discover and engage new ticket buyers in surprisingly meaningful ways. The golden age of fans seeking new venues to discover their new favorite bands is far from over. Come ready to test, iterate, and grow!
Fraudy Friday: Dealing with Fraud and Chargebacks
(1:45 pm – 2:30 pm)
Room: Hannover II
Presenters: Mandi Grimm, Etix Director of Anti-Fraud Solutions; Krister Larsson, Etix Director of International Operations
Who Should Attend: Everyone!
Description: Join us for an insightful session dedicated to understanding the latest trends in fraud and chargebacks within e-commerce and the entertainment industries. We will explore emerging threats and innovative prevention strategies. Attendees will gain valuable insights into identifying vulnerabilities, leveraging technology for protection, and best practices for managing chargeback disputes. Whether you’re in the box office, operations, finance, or support department this session will equip you with the knowledge to enhance your fraud mitigation efforts and protect your bottom line.
When It Hits the Fan: Contingency Plans for Your Event Ops
(1:45 pm – 2:30 pm)
Room: Hannover III
Presenters: TBA
Who Should Attend: Box Office Professionals
Description:Learn how to leverage the Etix platform to assist you through operational worst-case scenarios.
Marketing Nightmares III: More Harrowing Tales of Worst-Case Scenarios (And How to Fix Them!)
(2:45 pm – 3:30 pm)
Room: Hannover I
Presenters: Bryant Chappell, Rockhouse Partners Marketing Specialist; Taylor Panaccione, Rockhouse Partners Website Specialist
Who Should Attend: Marketing Professionals
Description: We’re baaaaack! A fan-favorite session, our team has found even more of the most harrowing, spine-tingling, gruesome tales of marketing mistakes and “you’ve got to be kidding me” situations that are guaranteed to keep you up at night. Don’t miss this lighthearted take on some of our most infamous marketing mishaps and (most importantly) how to keep them from happening to you!
Pull Up a Chair: Etix Feature Roundtables
(2:45 pm – 3:30 pm)
Room: Governors I & II
Who Should Attend: Everyone!
Description: Share your knowledge and experience! Join round table discussions on a variety of the most-used Etix products and features.
