1948
First New York Congress and decision to organize as the National Association of Concert Managers (NACM).
| History and Milestones |
1948First New York Congress and decision to organize as the National Association of Concert Managers (NACM).   1949NACM incorporated in Texas and Patrick Hayes is appointed as founding President. 1956A group of university managers split off to form the Association of College and University Concert Managers (forerunner of APAP). 1970Organization name changed to International Association of Concert and Festival Managers (IACFM). 1975Distinguished Artist Award presented for the first time to Beverly Sills.  1980Patrick Hayes Award introduced and bestowed on the award namesake.   1982Incorporation of the International Society of Performing Arts Administrators Foundation and the first (part-time, volunteer) Executive Director is appointed, Clinton Norton. 1985The first philanthropic honoree was acknowledged with Angel Award. 1987First international congress takes place in London with 200 delegates from 4 countries. International Citation of Merit established. 1991Clinton Norton retires, leaving a membership of 480 in 27 countries. 1995Organizational name changed to the current International Society for the Performing Arts. Click to see the branding history of ISPA.  199750th anniversary celebration. 2004First Latin America Congress held in Mexico City.  2007First fellowships introduced. 2008ISPA office established in New York City. 201365th anniversary celebration. Watch the video created in celebration of the 65th anniversary – ISPA members share what it means to be a part of ISPA.   2014Bogotá 2014 ISPA Congress attracts 503 delegates from 37 countries (a record for the international congress). New branding introduced. New branding introduced. 2015First bi-city, bi-country congress held in Malmö, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark.   201710th anniversary of ISPA Fellowship Program celebrated by exceeding more than $1,000,000 grants awarded. Meet past and current ISPA Fellowship Participants.  ISPA's 100th congress took place in Montréal, Canada. 2018ISPA membership celebrated a record of 526 strong from 60 countries. 2020New York 2020 ISPA Congress was sold out with record attendance of 673 delegates from 245 cities and 57 regions.  March 20, New York City and the world are shut down as the Coronavirus spreads beyond all expectation.   2021ISPA’s first fully virtual congress and a digital membership are introduced to engage members around the world.  2022Despite the emergence of the omicron variant, ISPA moves forward successfully with its first hybrid congress. 2024ISPA’s 75th Anniversary! On March 7, 2024 ISPA celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a digital event bringing our international colleagues together! The short video shares what ISPA means to a few of the members! Here’s to another 75 years of connecting the global performing arts!  |
