News | Announcement

February 1, 2024

AXS Insight. Events. Tickets. NASHVILLE.

Hello Music City!

AXS clients, partners, and staff from around the globe braved a rare southern snowstorm to come together at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, for the 10th Anniversary and 2024 edition of AXS Insight. Music City welcomed Insight’s largest audience with representation from five countries for three days of networking, community, and a kick-off to a fresh year of achieving business goals, fan experience, and driving revenue.

Our tour of Nashville kicked off under the bright lights of Broadway at Ole Red, the joint venture between Opry Entertainment Group and country sensation, Blake Shelton. AXS guests stayed warm dining on Nashville Hot Chicken and singing along with local singer-songwriter, Zach Ray who covered country hits and classics. The event was a great way to gear up for a deep dive into two jampacked days of content filled products, programs and partners that keeps them (and their tickets) moving.

Growth, Partners, and Stories of Success

Fueled by coffee and country music, our returning Insight emcee and VP of Ticketing Strategy, Jenn Larock, opened the show by welcoming back our loyal Sponsors – FEVO, FanRally, Vet Tix, Satisfi Labs, Hive, Groupon, and WW&L – after a one year hiatus. AXS President, North America, Tom Andrus delivered the opening AXS Business Review keynote setting the tone for the week by celebrating a tremendous year of growth built on the pillars of platform modernization, premium offerings and product innovations driven by one of AXS’ key differentiators – it’s people. Next, a star-studded ticketing panel moderated by AXS VP, Artist Services, Greg Schmale, featuring Amanda Gray of AEG Festivals and Rick Johnson of AEG Global Touring. They shared how their teams are taking advantage of options AXS offers clients and fans to optimize the fan journey for maximum convenience, overcoming high demand with AXS Waitlist, getting tickets in the right places through the AXS Anywhere program, and implementing payment plans that allow all types of buyers the opportunity to get in on the action.

AXS GM, Theaters and Residencies, Stephanie Streeter sat down with the Regional Marketing Director of Live! Hospitality & Entertainment, Jenny Clements, to learn how Live! leverages the AXS platform to drive success in entertainment districts nationwide. Clements gave the audience with a sneak peek at the event for the evening at, Nashville Live!, the companies newest venture which transformed the historic George Jones Building into a unique vertical entertainment district featuring Possum Speakeasy, DraftKings Sports & Social, PBR Bar, and OVO Roof top lounge all under one roof.

It was line dancin’, mechanical bull ridin’, after dinner karaoke singin’ kinda Nashville night that provided to be a little something for everyone. The following day, the prize for most graceful mechanical bull dismount was awarded to Miu Tanaka, all the way from Japan.

Innovation and AI Take Center Stage

Innovation and Artificial Intelligence were the talk of the town on day two. AXS Chief Innovation Officer, Mike Rojas shared the state of innovation within AXS leaning in on several key business innovations – the Fair AXS fan registration system, AXS Marketplace – a one stop shop for buyers or any event and the Open Venue business model that has been the key to success with ASM Global venues. Next, Rojas was joined by Ian McPherson, AWS Media & Entertainment, Global Strategy Leader, and Brad Boim, NFL, Senior Director, Post Production & Asset Management for a look at how far AI has come and delivering some lessons learned in its use to personalize and monetize the live entertainment experience. Rounding out the morning, AXS Head of Venues, North America, Dean DeWulf welcomed Opry Entertainment Group’s EVP and COO, Pete Weien for a look at how OEG is optimizing their offerings with the AXS platform and expanding across the United States with their growing lineup of venues, including Austin and Las Vegas.

It’s why we hang our hat in Tennessee

How does AXS top three days of fun, family, and festivities in Nashville? We bring it onstage at the Grand Ole Opry with 300+ of our closest friends. From learning the history of the Opry House at its original home in the Ryman Auditorium to taking backstage tours of Dolly’s favorite dressing room, and ending up in “The Circle” which brought tears to the most seasoned of venue professionals.

Events, tickets, and moments are the DNA of AXS and all of those would not be possible without the partnership with our clients. AXS Insight is a special time when we have the unique opportunity to share good times and work side-by-side as we plan for the future whether it be the next onsale or innovation that pushes the industry forward.