From July 2017 to June 2018, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts experienced a 10 percent, year-over-year increase in operating revenue earned from the shows and events it presents. The strong results cap four years of growth in operating revenue, now up 48 percent since the arts center opened in November 2014.
“It’s remarkable for a start-up to achieve such strong financial results,” said Jim Pugh, chair of the Dr. Phillips Center, and chair and CEO of Epoch Residential. “The operating team has essentially gone from zero to 60 in two seconds flat,” he said. “They’ve hit their targets and grown revenue each and every year, and are truly delivering on their core community mission. As a board, we are pleased and proud of their accomplishments.”
The arts center also received a number of awards and accolades, including the 2018 Venue Excellence Award from the International Association of Venue Managers. Dr. Phillips Center was selected first among 133 IAVM performing arts center members from around the world, and was recognized for its operational excellence, safety and security, team building and service to the community.
Also last year, TripAdvisor awarded the arts center a Certificate of Excellence; Playground Magazine named it the number one performing arts venue; and Orlando Magazine named the arts center first for local live music venues.
“In many ways, we hit our stride this year,” said President Kathy Ramsberger, who attributes the arts center’s success to its operating as a business enterprise, focusing on earned income while earmarking annual contributions to mission and community-based support.
“We’re taking an aggressive approach to programming our theaters, including self-presenting an increasing number of shows, which increases our revenue margins,” she said. “We’re also committed to booking entertainment that appeals to a wide variety of tastes, ages and ethnicities, up to and including curating and presenting our own programming.
“It’s an exciting time to be at the Dr. Phillips Center.”
For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to: DrPhillipsCenter.org.
