About Us

The Ontario Professional Ticketing Association was established in 1990. 

OPTA is comprised of leaders in the Ontario ticketing industry. While centred in Toronto, OPTA welcomes members from across Ontario. 

OPTA is Canada’s first and oldest professional association dedicated exclusively to issues relevant to the management of the ticketing industry. We have an unofficial working relationship with the International Ticketing Association (INTIX) based in New York.

OPTA Members include box office managers, patron services directors, marketing and sales directors, venue IT professionals, and industry suppliers. OPTA is open to all organizations with a ticketing presence. 

OPTA welcomes over 79 organizations from across the province. Our membership is varied, representing organizations with different focuses, including: sports, theatres, performance venues, attractions and ticketing service providers. 

 If you would like to learn more about our organization or inquire about becoming a member, contact our Secretary, Alan Forsyth (aforsyth@mirvish.com). 

Find the history of OPTA (so far!)  here.

 OPTA is dedicated to the concerns with the support for preservation of and further development of fair ethics and high standards with regards to marketing, sales and service in the ticketing industry and to promote the development and maintenance of a high standard of service to the ticket-buying public and user groups. 

• President Karen McKerracher (National Arts Centre)
• Vice President   - open
• Past President  Liz Bragg (TO Live)
• Secretary Alan Forsyth (TicketKing)
• Treasurer April Moon  IATSE 873 
• Director-at-Large  open
• Director-at-Large   Jeremy Loughton (AudienceView)
• Director-at-Large  Catherine Cubitt (The Rose, City of Brampton)
• Director-at-Large  Fran Holywell  (TO Live)
• Director-at-Large   Ali Malik-Noor (The Corporation of Massey Hall/Roy Thomson Hall) 

On behalf of the Ontario Professional Ticketing Association Membership and Executive Board welcome to the OPTA website.  

 I am honoured to be writing this message as the President of OPTA.   

I would like to thank our past President, Liz Bragg, and the entire executive team for their excellent work over the last year. 

 In another strenuous year with an ongoing pandemic and everyone challenged with the task of managing new, cancelled, and rescheduled events, some that went on sale as far back as 2019 the members of OPTA have come together and as always allowed and encouraged a space for collaboration, education, support, and a space to explore ideas.   

OPTA is an extension of every organization that participates and each time someone new joins it affords us an opportunity to view our industry from another venues perspective.    

I am particularly excited to be joining from the lovely city of Ottawa and a fully bilingual organization that provides an opportunity for me to assist in expanding our breadth of knowledge on a set of challenges unique to bilingual venues and festivals.  Expanding our member base is always a goal of mine as new people will bring new challenges and more knowledge!  

We look forward to another fantastic year of sharing, seminars, guest speakers, and parties!  

All the best, 

Karen McKerracher