Head of ticketing for the New York Mets to speak at Rugby Expo

Rugby Ventures, site the management team behind Rugby Expo, ailment is delighted to announce a coveted addition to this year’s conference programme in Leigh Castergine, pills vice president for ticket sales and services for Major League Baseball giants the New York Mets.

Leigh will be joined by Derek Palmer, managing director & executive VP, International of headline sponsors Tickets.com and supplier to the Mets for a main stage plenary session on day one of Rugby Expo, bringing together a wealth of experience to discuss how rugby clubs can maximise revenue and engagement through their ticketing strategies.

“I’m very excited to be involved with Rugby Expo this year. I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to share our league’s best practices in ticketing strategy and technology with the audience at Rugby Expo, while also learning more about rugby and its challenges and successes,” confirmed Leigh.

Having joined the Mets in 2010, Leigh has already been responsible for implementing dynamic ticket pricing to all New York Mets ticket areas, becoming the first team in the competitive New York sports team market to do so. Leigh previously worked for National Hockey League sides Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers, as well as National Basketball League’s Orlando Magic.

“Baseball, above all US sports, is renowned for its innovative ticketing strategies and what Leigh and her team have implemented at the Mets is certainly no exception. In a typical season the Mets can sell upwards of three million tickets in what is a very competitive New York sports market,” explained Derek.

“We received fantastic feedback in 2011 with involvement in our plenary session from Steve Fanelli, executive director for ticket sales and operations at MLB’s Oakland Athletics and with Leigh confirmed for this year, we will provide clubs with an exclusive insight into one of the biggest ticketing challenges faced by professional sports teams.”

Major League Baseball side the Mets not only contends with rival baseball team the Yankees, but a total of nine professional sports teams located in New York, all competing for fans, support and, ultimately, ticket sales.

“Not only are we a part of a highly competitive sports and entertainment market in New York, we also host 81 home games a season in a venue that holds 42,500 fans; such challenges mean that operating a successful ticketing strategy is crucial,” explained Leigh.

Commenting on the event’s conference programme, event director Jonathan Wilson said, “The quality of the speakers, conference programme and workshops at Rugby Expo is always a key factor in the reason delegates return year on year.

“We are delighted to welcome Leigh to the event and given her experience and successes through her work within professional sport, we know that she will be a fantastic addition to the list of world class speakers taking part at this year’s Rugby Expo.”

The conference programme will run alongside a busy exhibition floor, profiling some of the sport’s latest products, services and innovations.

If you are interested in attending Rugby Expo as a sponsor, exhibitor or delegate, please contact Jason McMahon at jason@rugbyexpo.com or on +44 (0) 7881 288900.