Reframing the Value of Presenting: What’s Changed, What Holds True, What’s Next?

More than a decade ago, The Value of Presenting offered a groundbreaking national framework for understanding live performing arts presenters as cultural leaders, conveners, and builders of community life. The study’s insights continue to resonate, but the conditions in which theatre companies and theatre venues operate have changed profoundly.

The COVID pandemic reshaped public life and audience habits. Demographic change is altering who theatres serve, and who they have yet to reach. Funding pressures, rising costs, workforce challenges, digital technology advances, and artificial intelligence are changing how organizations connect with audiences, demonstrate value, and plan for the future.

ABOUT THE SESSION

Led by Inga Petri (Strategic Moves), author of the original study and nationally recognized speaker and workshop leader, this 90-minute interactive workshop will bring the research into today’s theatre context. 

Designed for Executive Directors, Managing Directors, General Managers, and other senior theatre leaders, the session will combine current research, strategic reflection, and practical examples. A facilitated peer-to-peer breakout will give participants space to compare experiences, challenge assumptions, and identify shared priorities.

Participants will revisit the ecosystem model, the leadership role of presenters, and the relationship between artistic and cultural value, community impact, and economic reality. Together, we will examine what still holds true, what needs to be reframed, and what new possibilities are emerging.

Atendees will leave with a sharper language for articulating their theatre’s public value, a broader view of their role within the community and arts ecosystem, and practical questions to carry into organizational strategy, partnerships, audience development, and advocacy. 

REGISTRATION

This session is taking place on Monday, November 9, from 2:30-4:00pm ET.

Register for this event by Friday, November 6, to ensure you receive the meeting link. 

Questions about this session? Email Program Manager Patricia at patriciac@pact.ca.

ABOUT THE SESSION LEADER

For more than 30 years Inga Petri has designed and implemented strategies for organizations in the private, not-for-profit and public sectors. In 2007, she founded Strategic Moves as an independent consultancy that thrives at the crossroads of research, strategy and marketing. With her experience in diverse sectors−from the performing arts, national museums, publishing and arts service organizations to government, international trade promotion organizations, and technology companies−clients benefit from an uncommon breadth of experience and expertise.

Inga is a Certified Analytics and Insight Professional (CAIP). She’s also the recipient of the 2005 Joseph Doyle Award. She has obtained a Certificate in Generative AI for Business from University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management Executive Program (2025), the Certificate in Professional Excellence in Strategic Leadership from the Schulich School of Business (2012). She is a member of the Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA), TechYukon, Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce. She has served on several boards, including the Marketing Research and Insight Association’s Ottawa Chapter (2004 to 2014); the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce (2019-2021) and currently serves as Vice-President on the board of Tech Yukon (2025-2027). In 2025 she was also appointed to the initial board of the Yukon’s new Health Authority,  / Health and Wellness Yukon.