City Names Van Wezel's Julia Mays 'Employee Of The Month'

JULIA MAYS, the Marketing and Development Manager of the City of Sarasota's Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, has been named October Employee of the Month.

In the past three years, Ms. Mays has reinvented the Van Wezel's Marketing Department--targeting marketing for individual shows for the first time, re-designing the Van Wezel's website with vibrant new ideas, and making programming accessible to younger audiences through the use of social media. A thirty year veteran of the business, Julia brings her marketing expertise to the City by way of her efforts in South Carolina and Bonita Springs, FL. She uses high end visual arts to promote the Van Wezel's productions and can be seen co-hosting the monthly local TV show at the Van Wezel on public access Channel 19.

Julia's energy and enthusiasm has helped promote important projects throughout the community. She has worked on the Mayor's Feed the Hungry program and with the Humane Society on joint venture for several shows. Last season, Julia blazed new ground with a Dame Edna look-a-like contest, with then Mayor Palmer as a judge. She spearheaded the Van Wezel's first Broadway subscription campaign and her show sign ideas light up Tamiami Trail.

Executive Director, Mary Bensel states, "Julia Mays is a force in her industry, an eager teacher and avid learner. Her good cheer and friendliness brighten up the halls of the Van Wezel in the most trying of times, and she always looks the part."