Arts and Culture organizations are navigating unprecedented challenges with remarkable resilience. This powerful conversation with Andrew Recinos, President and CEO of Tessitura, reveals how arts leaders are responding to uncertainty with both anxiety and determination.

"I'm seeing a lot of anxiety," Recinos acknowledges, "but right alongside it, I'm seeing grit and tenacity." Rather than freezing or fleeing when faced with funding cuts and political shifts, arts organizations are fighting—not aggressively, but by recommitting to their founding principles and serving communities that need artistic experiences more than ever.

The conversation explores technology's evolving role in arts management, particularly how it should enhance rather than replace meaningful human connections. While AI offers powerful revenue optimization tools, Recinos cautions against treating audiences "like ATMs," advocating instead for community-centered approaches that build lasting relationships.

Beyond strategic considerations, Recinos emphasizes leadership practices crucial for these challenging times: acknowledging anxiety without succumbing to it, providing consistent direction, and prioritizing self-care to prevent burnout. The most resilient arts organizations share three characteristics: they know their mission deeply, provide steady leadership, and focus primarily on serving their communities.

Whether you're leading an arts organization through turbulent times or simply passionate about cultural sustainability, this episode offers invaluable insights into maintaining artistic integrity while building organizational resilience. Take a listen—and maybe a forest bath afterward.

Recorded Tuesday, May 20th, 2025
Hosts: Meghan Goria, Account Group Director for Arts & Culture, Situation & Damian Bazadona, CEO & Founder, Situation
Guest: Andrew Recinos, President and CEO, Tessitura
Producer: Peter Yagecic, Innovation Advisor, Situation

What makes an airline inspire true fandom in an industry often reduced to price comparisons and schedule convenience? In this fascinating conversation with Andrew Harvell, Manager of Digital Strategy and Optimization at Southwest Airlines, we uncover the unique approach that has earned Southwest loyal customers and industry accolades spanning decades.

"Our secret sauce is our people," Harvell explains, echoing Southwest's co-founder Colleen Barrett. "We are in the hospitality business here at Southwest. We just happen to fly airplanes." This philosophy drives everything from their celebrated "coheart" onboarding process—complete with red carpet walks and music—to their strategic decisions about digital innovation and customer service.

The conversation takes us behind the scenes of Southwest's culture-building machine, revealing how they've created a distinctive experience in an industry where differentiating is notoriously difficult. Perhaps most valuable is Harvell's perspective on balancing tradition with innovation. As Southwest evolves its digital experience and explores AI applications, it's guided by a commitment to maintaining customer trust above all else. "Trust is an absolute premium currency these days," Harvell notes, explaining how every new feature or policy change is evaluated against this standard.

Whether you're managing customer experience in travel, entertainment, or any service industry, you'll find practical wisdom in Southwest's approach to creating genuine connections with customers even when things go wrong. Listen now to discover how Southwest turns ordinary travelers into passionate fans, and consider how their hospitality-first philosophy might transform your own customer relationships.

Recorded Thursday, May 8th, 2025
Host: Damian Bazadona, CEO & Founder, Situation
Guest: Andrew Harvell, Manager of Digital Strategy and Optimization, Southwest Airlines
Producer: Peter Yagecic, Innovation Advisor, Situation

The intersection of artificial intelligence and modern fandom is transforming how we discover, experience, and connect with live events. In this enlightening conversation, Janette Roush, Chief AI Officer and SVP of Innovation at Brand USA, shares a treasure trove of insights on the evolving relationship between AI and the live experience economy.

Most marketers approach AI with a mixture of curiosity and anxiety – an understandable response to technology evolving at breathtaking speed. Roush dispels common misconceptions, explaining that while today's AI tools aren't perfect, we're merely in the "training wheels" phase of what will eventually revolutionize the entire ecosystem of live entertainment.

The discovery process for experiences is already being dramatically reshaped. Unlike traditional search engines prioritizing paid results and keyword-stuffed content, AI-powered discovery offers truly personalized recommendations aligned with individual preferences. This represents a fundamental shift away from volume-based recommendations toward connecting fans with experiences that genuinely resonate with their unique tastes and interests.

The conversation explores essential tools for marketers ready to embrace AI, with recommendations including ChatGPT Team, Claude, Google Notebook LM, Midjourney, and Descript. Looking ahead, Roush envisions a future where personalized AI assistants become our primary technology interface, proactively recommending experiences based on our preferences, schedules, and interests.

Whether you're a venue operator, event producer, or marketing professional, this episode provides critical insights into how AI will reshape fandom while offering practical guidance on navigating this exciting transformation. Ready to explore how artificial intelligence will forever change the relationship between fans and live experiences? This conversation is your essential starting point.

Recorded Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025
Host: Damian Bazadona, CEO & Founder, Situation
Guest: Janette Roush, Chief AI Officer and SVP of Innovation at Brand USA
Producer: Peter Yagecic, Innovation Advisor, Situation
Slides: https://situationlive.com/aipdf