Rennie Cotner
Chicago
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience at Ravinia Festival, excelling in donor relations and ticketing logistics. Proven track record in managing VIP ticket operations and nurturing donor relationships, while utilizing AudienceView and SeatGeek software for data management. Recognized for exceptional customer service and problem-solving skills, enhancing patron experiences at high-profile events.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager, VIP Ticket Services
Ravinia Festival
Highland Park
03.2023 - 11.2025
- Oversaw VIP and donor ticket operations, ensuring seamless coordination between Ticket Operations, Development, and Artistic teams.
- Led the fulfillment of high-level donor and corporate ticket requests while managing comp ticket allotments.
- Maintained accurate contributor data in AudienceView ticket software and supported ticketing logistics for major events.
- Nurtured hundreds of personal connections with donors through white glove concierge ticketing service.
- Managed a successful team of 6 throughout the summer season who expanded the VIP Team's reach to the majority of the donor population.
Box Office Senior Supervisor
Ravinia Festival
Highland Park
03.2022 - 03.2023
- Worked in close liaison between various departments including development, production, and administration to facilitate vip artist ticket purchases and comp requests.
- Provided accurate data entry and management of donors and their reservations/benefits inside of the SRO CRM software program.
- Facilitated donor membership purchases, ticket sales and exchanges for over 140 performances annually directly with patrons at the box office.
- Retain and relay to patrons a large amount of detailed information regarding a wide variety of music genres at America's oldest music festival concerning performances, events, and park venues/facilities.
- Provide in-person front-of-house and box office support to the production team during performances at a venue that accommodates up to 13,000 guests.
- Respond to and resolve customer complaints and issues with appropriate action both in-person and remotely through email and phone calls.
- Assisted in the festival's transition from physical ticketing to a digital ticketing system through the SRO ticketing system.
Box Office Associate
Ravinia Festival
Highland Park
05.2018 - 03.2022
- Managed ticket sales and customer inquiries at outdoor concert venue.
- Processed transactions using point-of-sale systems efficiently.
- Assisted patrons with seating arrangements and event information.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally.
- Trained new associates on ticketing procedures and customer service standards.
- Maintained accurate records of ticket sales and inventory levels.
- Provided exceptional service in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Performed data entry tasks such as entering customer information into databases.
Barista
Intelligentsia Coffee Inc.
Chicago
09.2019 - 02.2022
- Work in a fast-paced, high-volume retail environment.
- Consistently perform complex drink preparation tasks (such as latte art) under pressure.
- Vast knowledge of coffee and tea, with complicated menu options constantly updating.
Administrative Assistant
Chicago Chamber Musicians
Chicago
09.2017 - 12.2019
- Used Photoshop and Illustrator to create posters for advertisement.
- Graphic design and word processing portfolio available upon request.
- Assist in pre-concert and day-of-concert ticket sales online, over the phone, and in person using Square payment platform.
Technical Services Assistant
Northwestern University
09.2017 - 06.2018
- Used ProTools and Wave Lab to correct audio imperfections on hundreds of hours of performance data.
- Assisted supervisor with live sound technical setup and operation.
Development Intern
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Rochester
01.2017 - 06.2017
- Planned area young professionals outreach/networking event.
- Sorted and organized incoming donations, including major gifts and small donations.
- Worked with marketing team to maintain the orchestra's smartphone app.
- Assisted development team with donor relations, both in person and over the phone.
Head Usher
Eastman School of Music
Rochester
01.2015 - 05.2017
- Oversaw teams of 2-10 ushers.
- Managed concert schedule between front of house and backstage.
- Interacted closely with talent, both students and guest artists.
Classical Radio Intern
WXXI Public Broadcasting Council
Rochester
08.2016 - 12.2016
- Wrote posts on website for previews of syndicated shows.
- Observed several live radio broadcasts, and shadowed producers and hosts.
- Programmed 4-hour block of classical radio, utilizing Music Librarian software and hand-selecting repertoire.
- Wrote, recorded, transcribed, and edited a published off-site interview with corresponding blog post (Link to this piece available upon request).
Education
Master of Music - Horn Performance
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL06-2019
Bachelor of Music - Horn Performance
Eastman School of Music
Rochester, NY05.2017
Skills
- Customer service management
- AudienceView software
- Ticketing logistics
- Data management
- Donor relations
- Customer relationship management
- Problem solving
- VIP service
- Attention to detail
- Relationship building
- Inventory management
- Verbal and written communication
- Multitasking skills
- Donor engagement
Certification
Google Foundations of Project Management
Languages
Spanish
Limited
French
Limited
Timeline
Manager, VIP Ticket Services
Ravinia Festival
03.2023 - 11.2025
Box Office Senior Supervisor
Ravinia Festival
03.2022 - 03.2023
Barista
Intelligentsia Coffee Inc.
09.2019 - 02.2022
Box Office Associate
Ravinia Festival
05.2018 - 03.2022
Administrative Assistant
Chicago Chamber Musicians
09.2017 - 12.2019
Technical Services Assistant
Northwestern University
09.2017 - 06.2018
Development Intern
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
01.2017 - 06.2017
Classical Radio Intern
WXXI Public Broadcasting Council
08.2016 - 12.2016
Head Usher
Eastman School of Music
01.2015 - 05.2017
Master of Music - Horn Performance
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Music - Horn Performance
Eastman School of Music