Membership - It Has Just Become Something Special!
Over the past year, I’ve had a front-row seat to something really special at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. It’s the way our membership program has grown into a true community. It started as a way to offer a few extra perks to our most loyal supporters. It has become a network of familiar faces, shared traditions, and moments you simply can’t recreate anywhere else.
Many people first hear about membership because of the City View Terrace. It’s hard to beat that view over City Green during City Green Live or Stars and Stripes, our July 4th fireworks event, or the feeling of gathering above the Sparkle Parade with friends, a drink in hand, and music drifting up from the Green. But as our Members know, the real story goes far beyond the view.
This year, Members enjoyed early access to tickets for PAC-presented shows, which means they often had the first pick of the very best seats in Byers Theatre. They also received early access to buy tables at City Green Live and to join us over at the Concerts by the Springs Veranda Parties, two very different but equally joyful ways to experience live music with a little extra comfort and hospitality. At our Member events and VIP lounges, our culinary and hospitality teams took great pride in elevating food and beverage offerings so that the night felt like an special occasion from the moment you arrived.
Some of my favorite memories from this past year came from our Member-only pop-up events. These are where we get to be a bit playful and creative. We’ve hosted intimate wine and spirits tastings, gatherings that felt more like a dinner party than an event, and a season launch party where we shared great food and a first look at the shows and special events coming to the PAC. During the opening of Skate City Springs, we set aside time just for members and their guests to enjoy free skating, along with complimentary hot cocoa and coffee. This was a simple gesture that turned into an evening full of conversations, laughter, and kids (and adults) wobbling happily around the rink.
What I hear again and again from Members is that these experiences make them feel connected, not only to the PAC, but to one another. Membership is not just about getting in early or sitting in a special area, though those benefits are certainly valuable. It’s about walking into a Terrace Party or into Park View Lounge and recognizing faces, swapping recommendations for upcoming shows, or introducing out-of-town guests to “your” performing arts center.
As we look toward April 15, the start of our annual Member year, my team and I have been talking a lot about what comes next. We’re committed to keeping the program fresh and meaningful. That means new pop-up experiences, some unique behind-the-scenes opportunities, and a few surprises that I won’t spoil here. The goal is always the same. Find thoughtful ways to say “thank you” to the people who invest in PAC and help us bring world-class performances and free community events to Sandy Springs.
If you are already a Member, please know how grateful I am for your support. You help make possible not just the performances on our stages, but the educational programs and Signature Events that reach across our community. If you’re considering joining us for the first time, I invite you to take a look at the membership levels and benefits, and to think of this not just as a transaction, but as an invitation to be more deeply involved in the life of Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center and the City Springs District.
You can learn more about our membership tiers and benefits at sandyspringspac.com/support/membership-information. I hope to see you on the Terrace, at a Veranda Party, in the Park View Lounge, or at one of our pop-up events in the coming year.