Five Minutes With … Greg Dotson
Greg Dotson | Group Sales Manager | Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
A 25-year industry veteran, Greg Dotson has always had a passion for entertainment. His career is vast, ranging from hotel concierge, to touring professional dancer, to production stage manager with Walt Disney Entertainment. Dotson also previously worked in the student travel realm with Kaleidoscope Adventures, where he built educational and performance-based itineraries for student groups traveling to destinations around the U.S. He eventually made his way to Merlin Entertainments as National Sales Manager, where he promoted over 30 renowned attractions across the U.S. and Canada.
Today, Dotson proudly serves as Manager of Group Sales at Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, where he has the opportunity to promote their vision of Arts For Every Life® to groups of all ages. Dotson also enjoys mentoring industry newcomers and volunteering, serving on the SYTA Foundation Board of Trustees, the ABA Foundation Board of Governors and Marketplace Advisory Committee, and locally as the Chair of the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools Board of Directors.
Groups Today caught up with Dotson to hear his latest thoughts!
ON CHANGES
The way we communicate with internal and external clients is evolving at a rapid rate and there are opportunities to integrate new tactics to better connect with our guests. We've learned that our younger clients prefer to communicate via text or direct message and their attention span has shrunk to just a few seconds. These changes make it challenging for us to keep up with the most effective tools for marketing. As soon as we learn one platform, we're introduced to another. These challenges also lead to opportunities for growth and development as we find new market segments and ways to communicate. Thankfully, the love our patrons have for the arts only grows by the tremendous exposure found on stage and screen, and now on the internet and beyond.
ON CHALLENGES
Following the pandemic, one of the greatest challenges I've experienced is people's resistance to leaving their homes or offices to do business. Our industry is based upon building relationships, and that has become less and less effective when done so over the phone or computer. I'm always happy to work with someone who is job searching and provide feedback, however, when I learn they're limiting their hospitality industry search to only remote roles, I feel conflicted. There are certainly reasons why someone must work from home, however the industry is built on relationships that take years to cultivate. I'd encourage students coming out of college to look for opportunities to truly develop these skills through lived experiences and on-the-job reps, as these tools are necessary to excel.
ON WHAT'S NEW AT DR. PHILLIPS
We recently opened Judson's Live, a brand-new music room inspired by iconic listening venues across the country. It offers an intimate space for music exploration and connection, while offering delicious small plates and an extensive cocktail and brown spirits menu. We now have four performance venues in our building, in addition to multiple event spaces and the AdventHealth School of the Arts.
We've also announced our upcoming '24/'25 Broadway Season—our biggest lineup since opening in 2014. Next season, we'll welcome new shows to Orlando like Shucked, Some Like It Hot, and A Beautiful Noise, as well as familiar favorites like Mamma Mia, Book of Mormon, and Disney's The Lion King. We truly have something for everyone.
Edited by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.
This article originally appeared in the May/Jun '24 issue of Groups Today.
Photo Courtesy of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
