(courtesy of Ravinia)
Because the longest-running music competition in North America, Ravinia has been a cherished summer season vacation spot for music lovers within the Chicago space and past. Nestled in 36 acres of land in Highland Park, Illinois, the open-air venue blends world-class performances with a laid-back, picnic-on-the-lawn environment. However behind the scenes of this storied establishment is a dynamic digital operation guaranteeing each notice, gentle cue, and visitor expertise runs easily.
On the helm of the data know-how effort is Gina Ehrlich, Chief Data Officer of Ravinia. With a background in each know-how and the humanities, Ehrlich brings a novel perspective to the evolving position of IT within the stay efficiency house. Right here, she shares how Ravinia is utilizing tech to protect the magic of stay music in a digital age—with out dropping sight of the competition’s deeply rooted traditions.
(© Ravinia)
This dialog has been condensed and edited for readability.
Have been you all the time within the arts and know-how?
Sure. On the inventive facet, I used to be given nice academic alternatives and performed the flute in live performance band from elementary by way of highschool. And I used to be a dancer from age 5 till I used to be about 25. I additionally taught dance once I was in faculty.
My curiosity in know-how started with in search of a option to make processes quicker and higher. As with quite a lot of IT individuals, we see an inefficiency, so we attempt to provide you with a manner that makes extra sense, that may save time. That’s what drew me into the know-how world—the flexibility to make an influence by making issues higher for individuals.
What drew you to Ravinia?
When this Ravinia alternative got here to me, I couldn’t imagine it. The job combines all three of my passions—know-how, stay performing arts, and Chicago. And, in fact, the great folks that work listed below are a very particular group who’re artistic, considerate, and empathetic and need to make the world a greater place. It’s great to work for a company that has a mission that’s not simply concerning the backside line. At Ravinia, our mission consists of free music schooling by way of Attain Train Play and inventive fellowship applications by way of the Steans Institute. From college students who now not have music applications of their faculty methods to pre-professional classical and jazz musicians, Ravinia provides so many alternatives to be taught and expertise music past a live performance ticket.
You wouldn’t assume tech and the humanities would go collectively, however in a manner, they do, as a result of it’s important to be very disciplined and pushed and arranged.
I agree, and that aligns with striving for steady enchancment. In know-how, in the future it’s good, the following day one thing modifications with the enterprise and the know-how shouldn’t be working anymore. So, it’s important to consider a brand new manner, a greater manner, a distinct manner.
How do you join all these seemingly disparate worlds—tech, artistic, advertising and marketing?
I feel one reply is thru [our ticketing solution] AudienceView Limitless. It does so many issues, and to have that kind of a system, you’ll be able to’t simply have one division working it. You should be speaking throughout numerous teams and saying we’re all answerable for making this work. A part of what I do is to stitch individuals and course of collectively throughout the platform.
(© Ravinia)
How do you get individuals to return collectively? What’s the key?
Persons are extra prepared to tolerate change when you have conversations and if you happen to will help them work collectively and compromise. Once we discuss making modifications, that’s a bit of bit scary. I perceive this as a result of I’ve accomplished this many occasions at different organizations—altering massive enterprise methods—and it takes about two years earlier than individuals are going to really feel comfy. We attempt to reassure workers that every part’s going to be OK. Our CEO, Jeff Haydon, is improbable. He’s a tremendous chief. He helps us all as we transfer by way of modifications. He has nice concepts, and he’s the correct of particular person to work for.
Do you attempt to go see as a lot as you’ll be able to at Ravinia?
Completely. It’s enjoyable to see a classical live performance within the Pavilion and have a sort of formal expertise. However I’ve additionally simply relaxed on the garden throughout a classical occasion and loved the peacefulness of the park. Then there’s the vitality of our pop and rock live shows, which I really like as nicely. There’s simply no scarcity of stay music to expertise. And I feel it’s not simply concerning the music; it’s concerning the total Ravinia expertise: bringing your loved ones, bringing your mates, dancing on the garden, having a meal, or establishing a phenomenal picnic. It’s actually beautiful to be part of that.
What would you inform younger Gina as we speak?
Work on interpersonal relationships. There’s nothing extra necessary than your relationships along with your friends, along with your colleagues, and your loved ones. As a result of that’s not simply how enterprise is finished, it’s how every part will get accomplished.
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