A selection of our networking events that took place during the year...
GGA CONFERENCE 2007
MAYBE TOMORROW - extending your reach, revenue and reputation
On Friday 1st June 2007, over 100 key opinion formers and professionals from across the arts gathered at 'maybe tomorrow' - GGA's second annual conference, held at City Halls in the heart of Glasgow's Merchant City. In a packed first session, 'maybe tomorrow' brought into focus a whole spectrum of initiatives currently underway at a local, national and international level to develop audiences for the arts, including some of those proposed by the Cultural Commission.
ENGAGE SCOTLAND CONFERENCE 2007
WORKING WITH AUDIENCES
Charlotte Winter, Head of Market Research presented an overview of the changes and influences that will impact on gallery audiences of the future at engage Scotland's annual conference.
C21st SERVICE
In 2005, with investment from Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, GGA 'Mystery Shopped' 10 major arts venues in Glasgow to assess the customer service experience received by residents and visitors to the city. A range of member venues took part in the project, which involved 'Shoppers' booking online, purchasing tickets in person at the box office or by telephone prior to attending a performance.
GLASGOW TOURISM
The GGA team hosted meetings with members focusing on one main aim - to reach more cultural tourists! As part of this series of gatherings industry professionals were invited to take part in the deliberations and assist in the formation of collaborative ideas that could potentially attract investment for implementation.
YOUNG PEOPLE, ARTS & CULTURE - JOHN E McGRATH
GGA hosted a training and capacity building session on the subject of 'Young People, Arts & Culture' lead by John E McGrath, Director of the award-winning Contact Theatre in Manchester, a place as renowned for its work with young people and artists as it is for its development of experimental theatre.
PERFORMING, TOURING & RECEIVING
THE COMMON AGENDA
GGA organised and facilitated sessions with marketing managers and directors from each of the five national performing companies and receiving venues in Scotland. The discussions centred on 'the common agenda for audience development' and examined the key issues affecting both parties and potential ways in which they could be addressed. Positive outcomes were achieved and further meetings are scheduled throughout 2008.
THE GURU IS IN!
Permission based marketing and e-marketing topics were top of the agenda when leading expert, Roger Tomlinson, visited Glasgow to present workshops at GGA's office. This much sought after conference speaker who leads at the cutting edge in the use and implementation of new technology offered valuable advice to members.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE ATTENTION?
Exclusive sessions with Dianne Greig, GGA's Head of Audience Development gave two members a chance to consider their media and communications planning - from strategy and campaign development through to successful evaluation.
THE RESEARCH MENTOR
Charlotte Winter, GGA's Head of Market Research, is mentoring a specially recruited Project Ability team member through a year long action research programme - focus group training, questionnaire and discussion document design and report writing are key focal points for development.
VIRTUAL 'AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT' COFFEE BREAK
In December '07, GGA members across Scotland joined together for a virtual coffee break in the name of audience development, a time where our members, clients, friends and stakeholders could put the kettle on and think about the year ahead and their audience development plans. Virtual coffee break participants interacted by sharing their 'audience development brainwaves'.
SEASONAL SUPERBOWL!
The 2006/07 GGA AGM attracted a larger audience than anticipated. This was partly due, we suspect, to the addition of a bowling event straight after the formal proceedings. Developing audiences is a serious business but every now and again it's good to get together in more relaxed surroundings!