Since 1995, TRG consulting services and database solutions have helped grow sustaining patronage and revenue for more than 600 arts and cultural organizations in North America.

TRG IS:

The power of experience, well delivered.
Combined, TRG team members bring decades of practical experience in arts and culture, from America’s largest orchestras and performing arts centers to theatre, opera and dance companies. The firm’s vision, innovation, and results are driven by the firm’s owners.
Rick Lester, Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Jill Robinson, President
Will Lester, Vice President

A consulting firm that delivers results.
We have led campaigns and counseled hundreds of clients and communities with best practices that generate sustaining revenue and lifelong patronage. TRG’s signature demand-focused pricing strategies, pioneered two decades ago, have succeeded nationwide in large and small theatre, dance, and music organizations. TRG’s tailored counsel and skill-building help client organizations navigate variable pricing issues, systems, and procedures to increase revenue for every seat sold. TRG’s data-informed guidance also engages the whole organization in efforts such as inventory and patron management. The result: A perception of success for events and engagement that recognizes and rewards patron loyalty and generates significant revenues. TRG’s 21st Century focus on patron retention is growing longer, stronger, more greatly invested patron relationships for organizations of all sizes.

Client successes tell our story best:

• Denver Center for the Performing Arts: $3 million increase in earned revenue within six months of working with TRG, during their 2009-10 season


• Arts Club Theatre Company (Vancouver, BC): In first season of working with TRG (2008-09 season), finished $1.7 million ahead of prior season results


• Theatre Under the Stars (Houston): within six months of working with TRG, generated $145,000 in incremental revenues from demand-based pricing.

A research partner seeking answers for the arts industry.
TRG’s "Data Lab" provides ongoing analysis of 50 million arts and cultural consumer transactions, resulting in better, deeper understanding of how patrons engage with arts and culture organizations. Our research fuels client campaigns as well as industry knowledge as TRG staff presents findings in published research reports, TRG eNews monthly communications, in Analysis from TRG Arts, the firm’s blog on arts and culture consumer behavior, and in conference sessions nationwide, including this TCG conference. TRG CEO Rick Lester will lead a three-hour clinic The Art of Pricing on June 17, beginning at 12:30 p.m.

The largest provider of community database operations in the United States.
Data fuels audience development for arts and culture organizations. Within communities, permission-based data sharing networks have become a powerful tool for sustaining patronage in individual organizations, as well as the entire community. TRG is the nation’s leading provider of data management and consulting services in support of community cooperative database initiatives, hosting them in: Philadelphia, Houston, Denver, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, and DC with more coming online in 2010.

The creator of innovative database tools that make standard operating procedures easier, faster, cheaper.
The operating platform for TRG’s data management services is eMergePRO, our proprietary online database management system. eMerge is a web-based data management and mining application designed for organizations to maximize efficiency and usability of patron data. eMerge allows users to build lists for direct response (mail, e-mail, phone) or research purposes using a variety of attributes to create custom, unique, and de-duplicated lists in real time. Demonstrations of the tool are available upon request.

A partner that works for you.
Our team’s approach ensures that all clients have access to best practices at a level of investment and operational detail that makes sense to each client’s individual circumstances. Your work with TRG is tailored to your needs and designed to show a return on your investment, whether you engage our firm for database services on eMerge, a full suite of consulting services, or a pricing or analytics project.

Let’s talk and find a good fit between your needs and our expertise.