#TAS23 Guest Spotlight: French May Arts Festival

Ahead of TheTicketingBusiness ASIA 2023, we spoke to Claire Johnson, Head of Partnerships and Events at French May Arts Festival.

Johnson has been based in Hong Kong for more than a decade, holding a series of roles across the cultural scene, including Head of Performing Arts at Kids’​ Gallery, and Corporate Hospitality Sales Manager at Art Basel.

Two years ago, she began working for French May Arts Festival, the popular annual event that incorporates Gallic-themed visual arts, operas, dance, music and theatre, circus and cinema.

Here, she discusses the opportunities created by modern ticketing systems and how AI tools can transform the utilisation of ticketing data…

What are the current challenges and opportunities in ticketing?

Claire Johnson: For arts events taking place in traditional cultural venues, I think there is currently the challenge of implementing the advanced technologies being used in more commercial events (such as concerts and festivals), due to constraints in existing ticketing software and platforms, lack of flexibility in onsite operational models, alongside limited financial resources for investment in this area.

While this is a challenge, it does in itself create an opportunity for better ticketing systems for arts and cultural events, particularly in utilising digital ticketing, dynamic pricing and customer data analysis.

What are the most interesting trends you are witnessing in the industry?

Claire: The scope for use of AI tools utilising ticketing data to predict event capacity and seat mapping alongside informing pricing strategies is an extremely interesting development which I would foresee being relevant across all event industries including arts and culture.

What are your ticketing plans over the coming year?

Claire: I am currently busy with French May Arts Festival planning the 2024 festival programme, and working with our fantastic partners on an exciting array of events!

What are you most looking forward to exploring at TheTicketingBusiness Asia?

Claire: I’m looking forward to hearing from industry experts across varying event sectors to understand the synergies and differences in our approaches to ticketing and to see what can be learnt and shared.

Join Claire and hundreds of ticketing and events execs at TheTicketingBusiness ASIA 2023 #TAS23, which takes place at The Wave in Kwun Tong, Hong Kong on 17-18 October.

We’ll explore what’s happening across sales, marketing and engagement tech for arts, culture, sports, live music, theme parks and visitor attractions throughout the APAC entertainment market.