In the wild world of live music, success comes down to connection — with your audience, your artists, and your team. Our First Hold 2025 sessions will explore what it means to get personal in every corner of your venue, from hospitality to ticketing to long-term guest loyalty.
Opendate's inaugural 1st Hold will be a chance for you to connect with fellow venue owners, promoters, and industry experts in a fun, select and exclusive setting. If you have attended one of our Make More Money webinars, imagine similar content but more interactive and fun. Join us in Nashville, TN. January 28+29. 🤝 Learn, share, and celebrate with peers and pros. 🎉 Party and dine at some hot Nashville spots, on us! Itinerary, agenda, travel info and room blocks at The Virgin Hotel to follow.
High-Touch Hospitality: What music venues can learn from other hospitality businesses
Featuring James Moody founder and owner of The Mohawk, etc
11:30AM
Break
11:45AM
Panel
Backstage Done Right: Creating Experiences Artists Want To Return To
Featuring David McKay, CEO of Seated, Timm Donohue, Artist manager at Adult Decisions Mgmt, Tour Manager for Angel Olsen, and Musicians’ Rights Advocate, Jenny Boyts, CEO of Forty5 and Kurt Klaus, Head of Business and Legal Affairs for Harken Hall
Featuring Stephen Parker, Executive Director of NIVA
2:30PM
Panel
Turning Guests Into Regulars: The Cost of Customer Acquisition and the Art of Retention
Featuring Andrew Jensen from Opendate, Rami Haykal-Manning from Elsewhere in Brooklyn, NY, Chris Copen from Bottlerocket in Pittsburgh, PA, and Jordan Gechtman, Assistant General Manager and former Marketing Manager at Higher Ground in Burlington, VT
3:30PM
Break
4:00PM
Keynote
Getting Personal: Your Venue, Your Vision
Featuring Eric Tobias, Founder and CEO of Opendate, Owner of Forty5
