About Us

The Ontario Professional Ticketing Association (OPTA) is located in Toronto, Ontario. Comprised of leaders in the Ontario ticketing industry, OPTA is Canada’s only professional association dedicated exclusively to issues relevant to the management of the ticketing industry. OPTA members manage ticket offices in the performing arts, stadiums, universities, art galleries, attractions, to name a few, or provide services to support the industry. We have a working relationship with INTIX (International Ticketing Association) based in New York.

OPTA is dedicated to the concerns with the support for preservation of and further development of fair ethics and high standards with regards to marketing, sales and service in the ticketing industry. To promote the development and maintenance of a high standard of service to the ticket-buying public and user groups.

Congratulations - you found us! Welcome to the OPTA website.

As you will discover, OPTA is a growing network of culture, tourism and box office professionals – dedicated to providing support for, preservation of and further development of standardized business practices in the ticketing industry.

Our close-knit membership base provides support to its members through shared knowledge, experience, information and ideas. Members exchange ideas and concepts of effective box office management for solutions to common problems. It provides opportunities for networking with the decision makers and peers of the ticketing industry.

Join us and become an OPTA member! As an OPTA member, you and your company will benefit from insider access to box office operations and best practices from arts, museums, attractions, sports and theatre environments.

Our regularly scheduled meetings are hosted at various venues throughout Toronto, which provides additional value for your membership. OPTA will endeavor to provide you with the highest quality professional development and keep you informed about industry breaking news and views, industry perks and career opportunities.

Should you require more information about OPTA membership, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,
Rey de Guzman, CMA
President, OPTA

While attending an International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM) workshop in Milwaukee, Richard Carter met Pat Spira from the Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. After several months of discussion and planning, the two established Box Office Management International (BOMI), later renamed the International Ticketing Association (INTIX). INTIX is dedicated to the advancement of the success of the admission service industry by exchanging ideas and concepts on effective box office management for the solution of common problems.

In 1981, Richard Carter was brought to Toronto from the Minnesota Orchestra/Orchestra Hall to manage the box office at the soon to be open Roy Thomson Hall. Richard quickly realized that despite the large number of venues in the area, only a few of the Box Office Managers regularly communicated with each other about their daily problems and operating policies. In 1984, he invited the local Ticketing Managers to a meeting to recommend the formation of a regional ticketing association. As a result, the Association of Ticket Managers (ATM) was formed with 31 founding members including representatives from Hamilton Place, the Stratford Festival, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Blue Jays, Ticketron (now Ticketmaster), Cineplex and Five Star Tickets. The first ATM executive committee included:

• Richard Carter as Chair (Roy Thomson Hall)
• Vice Chairman Ernest Rubenstein (O’Keefe Centre now the Sony Centre)
• Treasurer Roy Reeves (Massey Hall)
• Secretary Georgian Green (Toronto Free Theatre)

ATM meetings were held monthly with speakers and workshops and in 1985, ATM became the local host for one of INTIX’s most successful conferences to date – held right here in Toronto. Unfortunately, due to a major shift in box office managers, a heavy meeting schedule and too small of an executive committee, ATM went dormant after a little over two years.

On November 27, 1989, a meeting was held with local box office managers to ask them to re-establish a local ticketing organization. The following organizations sent representatives for this meeting:

At this meeting, it was proposed to the attendees that they re-establish an organization that would meet regularly (approximately 5 times a year) at a different member's venue. Meetings would focus on seeking practical solutions to common problems. The goal would be to improve our provincial box offices or organizations through sharing of ideas and information.

In the following months, by-laws and a mission statement were drafted and on April 23, 1990, the Ontario Professional Ticketing Association (OPTA) was born. To this day, member's box offices throughout Ontario proudly display the organization's logo on their box office windows.

Previous OPTA Presidents include:

Based on the success of OPTA, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Salt Lake, Minneapolis, Vancouver, Calgary, and Texas have established their own regional ticketing organizations using the Toronto format. Presently, membership is over 110 members and growing, with a number of OPTA members active within the INTIX organization. OPTA members have hosted and managed two annual INTIX conferences 1995 and 2001, and two INTIX summer conferences.

OPTA looks forward to hosting its third annual INTIX conference in 2010.

ORGANIZATIONAL BY-LAW
(Revised 21December, 2004)

A by-law relating generally to the conduct of the affairs of the Association.

NAME, OFFICE, MANDATE & OBJECTIVES

1.1Name

The name of the association is the “Ontario Professional Ticketing Association” (herein referred to as “OPTA” or the Association)

1.2Office

The office of the Association shall be located at such place in the City of Toronto, Ontario, as the members shall from time to time determine.

1.3Mandate

OPTA is an association of professionals concerned with the support for, preservation of and further development of fair ethics and high standards with regards to marketing, sales and service in the ticketing industry of Metropolitan Toronto and its environs.

1.4Objectives

The objectives of the Association are:

1. To provide support to its members through shared knowledge, experience, information and ideas.
2. To act as a resource group to other organizations which require assistance with or information about ticketing.
3. To promote the establishment and maintenance of fair and equitable ticket selling and marketing practices.
4. To encourage professional growth and development.
5. To promote the development and maintenance of a high standard of service to the ticket-buying public and to user groups.
6. To promote confidence and goodwill among the related segments of the industry.

1.5Protection of Privacy and Personal Information

The Association takes seriously the privacy of the personal information of its members. The Association shall comply with all laws, by-laws, rules and administrative or judicial rulings respecting the privacy of members’ personal information, and shall be prohibited from sharing, selling or otherwise disclosing such information except where necessary to conduct the business of the Association.

MEMBERSHIP

2.1Eligibility

Any individual involved in or associated with the ticketing industry may be eligible for membership in the Association. Membership in the Association vests with the individual member and not with their associated organization.

2.2Application for Membership

Anyone who desires to become a member of OPTA shall submit a written application for membership together with the prescribed fees, to the Treasurer of the Association.

2.3Admission to Membership

At each meeting of the members of the Association, the President shall submit for approval by the members, the applications for membership received since the date of the last meeting. Each applicant must be approved by a vote (as described in 5.6) of the existing members.

Each member in good standing of the Association shall have the right to participate and vote at meetings of the Association, participate in activities and initiatives sponsored by or under the auspices of the Association, and shall have the right to run for office as prescribed in these By-Laws.

2.4Termination of Membership

Any member’s membership may be terminated for any reason whatsoever upon a motion for the same being passed at a meeting for the members. Such a motion requires a 2/3rds majority of legal quorum at a duly called meeting.

2.5Transfer of Membership

Any member of the Association may request, in writing to the Board of Directors, that their membership be transferred during the annual term of membership, such transfer shall be subject to approval of the Association under section 2.3.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

3.1Fees

The annual membership fee for the next fiscal year shall be determined by the members at the annual meeting.

3.2Payment of Fees

Membership fees shall be paid in full on the first day of July of each year. Fees must be paid in full at the time of becoming a member, notwithstanding the date of the application for membership.

3.3Default in Payment

Any member who fails to pay the membership fee, when due, shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of members, while in default. In addition, the membership of a defaulting member may be terminated at any time by a meeting of members.

DIRECTORS OF THE ASSOCIATION

4.1Number and Offices

The Board of Directors of the Association shall consist of eight individuals, one each in the offices of President, Secretary, Treasurer and Past President. If the Past President is unable to serve, the position will remain vacant. There shall be four (4) Directors-at-Large, one of whom will be selected by the Board of Directors to serve in the office of Vice-President.

4.2Qualifications

Any member of the Association in good standing at the time of the Annual Meeting shall be eligible to run for any open position on the Board of Directors, subject to nomination and vote by the membership of the Association.

4.3Election, Term and Removal

The members of the Association shall elect at the first meeting of members and at each succeeding annual meeting, the Board of Directors to hold office for a term expiring as prescribed below. Provided that, the members may, at any meeting by resolution, remove any member of the Board of Directors and any vacancy or vacancies created by the removal of a member of the Board of Directors may be filled at the meeting of the members at which the removal took place.

The President and Past President, respectively, shall serve for a term of one (1) year, or until the next annual meeting of the Association. The Secretary and Treasurer, respectively, shall serve for a term of two (2) years, or until the second annual meeting of the Association following the annual meeting at which they were elected. Members at Large of the Board of Directors shall serve for a term of one (1) year, or until the next annual meeting of the Association.

All positions of the Board of Directors shall be deemed effective upon adjournment of the annual meeting at which they were elected.

4.4Vacation of Office

Any position on the Board of Directors shall become vacant if: (a) the member dies; (b) if he or she is removed by the members; or (c) the member resigns by notice in writing to the Association which resignation shall become effective at the time it is received or at the time specified in the notice, whichever is later.

4.5Meetings of the Board of Directors

Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such times and in such places as the Board of Directors may decide, provided that there be at least four (4) meetings of the Board of Directors between each annual meeting of the Association. One or more of the members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communication equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participating by such means shall constitute attendance at a meeting.

Each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote at any meeting of the Board of Directors. A quorum of Directors shall be necessary at each meeting of the Board of Directors, such quorum to be a minimum of five (5) Directors.

The Board of Directors shall meet within 30 days of each annual meeting of the Association for the purpose of selecting a Vice President, and confirming the administrative and organizational function of the Board of Directors.

4.6Duties and Responsibilities

Subject to the direction of the members of the Association, the Board of Directors and the Officers of the Association shall manage and supervise the business and affairs of the Association. Any two officers shall sign all such contracts, documents or instruments as require their respective signatures and shall have and perform all powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the members.

The Board of Directors may, at their discretion, establish one or more committees to adequately conduct the business and affairs of the Association. Each such committee shall, as a minimum, have one member of the Board of Directors and one member of the Association who is not a member of the Board of Directors as members of that committee. A chairman of each committee shall be designated by the members of that committee and shall be responsible to the Board of Directors and the membership of the Association for the on-going activities of that committee.

4.7President

The President shall be the chief executive and operating officer of OPTA and shall act as the chairman of meetings of the members of the Association and the Board of Directors of the Association. The President shall be an ex-officio member of any committees of the Association.

4.8Vice-President

The Vice-President shall be selected by the Board of Directors from the Directors-At-Large. The Vice-President shall assist the President in the day-to-day management of the Association. The Vice-President becomes a standing member, representing the President in all committees and can represent the President when s/he is unable to chair the Board of Directors’ or the Association's meetings. The Vice-President will become the Acting President and Chief Executive of the Association where the President is unable to continue in his/her position. The Acting President shall remain in office until next election.

4.9Secretary

The Secretary shall give or cause to be given notices for all meetings of the members of the Association and of the Board of Directors and shall have charge of the minute and record books of the Association. The Secretary shall maintain the register of members of the Association. The minute book and the register of members shall be made available by the Secretary for the perusal of any member upon reasonable notice.

4.10Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all the funds and securities of the Association and shall deposit the same in the name of the Association in such bank or banks as the members may determine. The Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept accurate, consolidated accounting records for the Association. The Treasurer shall present written financial statements to the membership at each meeting of the members of the Association, and shall present a written annual statement of financial position for acceptance by the members at the annual meeting of the Association.

4.11Past President

The Past President is a member of and serves as advisor to the Board of Directors. The Past President’s term will begin the year following his/her Presidency. If the President serves more than one term, the Past President will continue to serve on the Board of Directors until there is a new President elected.

4.12Payment of Expenses

Members of the Executive may not be remunerated but may be reimbursed for bona fide expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

5.1Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the members of the Association shall be held on the fifteenth day of June in each year or so soon thereafter as is practical at such place as the Board of Directors may determine within the City of Toronto, Ontario, or, if not determined, at the offices of the Association.

5.2Other Meetings

The members of OPTA shall meet at such other times as the members may determine, and in any event not less than six times per year. Any three members of the Association may, by written notice directed to the Board of Directors, require the Secretary to call a meeting of the members for a date not later than thirty days after delivery of the meeting requisition to the Board of Directors.

5.3Notice

Written notice of each meeting stating the date, time and place thereof shall be given to each member not in default of the Association by ordinary mail, facsimile, electronic (ie: e-mail) or by hand delivery not less than ten business days prior to the meeting date.

5.4Omission of Notice

The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting or any irregularity in the notice of any meeting or the non-receipt by any member or Officer of the Association shall not invalidate any resolution passed or any proceedings taken at any meeting of the members.

5.5Quorum

The presence in person of the lesser of seven members or twenty-five percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. No business shall be transacted at any meeting unless the requisite quorum be present at the time of the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at the time appointed for the meeting or within a reasonable time thereafter as the members present may determine, the individuals present and entitled to vote may adjourn the meeting to a fixed time and place but may not transact any other business and the notice provisions contained in paragraph 5.3 shall apply to such an adjournment.

5.6Voting

Every question submitted to a meeting of the members of the Association shall be decided in the first instance by a show of hands unless a member entitled to vote demands a ballot. A ballot may be demanded either before or after any vote by a show of hands by any member entitled to vote at the meeting. Only members actually in attendance at the meeting shall be entitled to cast one vote each. No proxies shall be permitted. Elections of members to the Board of Directors shall be accomplished by ballot, unless any position shall be deemed acclaimed. All matters shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast (with the exception as indicated in 2.4).

5.7Chair of the Meeting

The President, or in his/her absence, the Vice-President, shall act as the chair of any members' meetings; provided however that the chair may delegate the chair to the host of the meeting. The Secretary shall be responsible for the preparation of the agenda for each meeting. Any member in good standing may request that an item be added to the agenda for a meeting subject to the approval of the Board of Directors and time permitting.

CHANGES OR AMENDMENTS OF BY-LAWS

The members of the Association may, by majority vote at any properly convened meeting of the Association, introduce changes or amendments to this By-Law, provided a written proposal of such changes or amendments will be given to members as part of the notice of meeting.