Last fall, I shared an update with all of you outlining both the successes and lessons learned from our first shoulder‑season concert and our initial attempt to pilot Amphitheater concessions during the Bonnie Raitt show.

Today, I’m writing to share how that experience is shaping our plans for 2026. With the Board of Trustees’ approval, we will continue exploring Amphitheater concessions and shoulder‑season concerts this summer, alongside several operational improvements on and around Odland Plaza. This is all with the goal of improving the overall patron experience while remaining thoughtful stewards of the grounds.

Continuing the Pilot: Phase 2

Based on the positive outcomes of last year’s pilot — including strong attendance, high patron satisfaction, and meaningful community feedback — the Board has approved a second phase of this pilot for 2026.

This summer, we will pilot 8 to 12 limited-concession events, to further evaluate how food service, patron services, security, and shared spaces function together during Amphitheater events. This phase will include 8–10 in‑season Amphitheater events, as well as the June 14 Wilco concert and the September 10 Indigo Girls concert.

Both shoulder season concerts are on sale now. For those thinking about when to open or close summer homes for the season, you may want to consider making a weekend of it and enjoying one of these performances on the grounds.

Improvements on and Around Odland Plaza

In parallel with continuing the concessions pilot, we are also making a series of operational improvements on and around Odland Plaza. These are intended to better support the Institution’s mission, strengthen the Amphitheater experience, and improve day‑of‑event operations.

As part of these changes, the current Poetry Makerspace will transition into a satellite bookstore with expanded merchandise offerings. Elements of the Poetry Makerspace will be thoughtfully relocated to spaces better suited for ongoing literary engagement, including Smith Memorial Library, the CLSC Octagon, and the Literary Arts Center in Alumni Hall.

During applicable events, restrooms in Hultquist and the new bookstore will be located within the security perimeter. This adjustment improves access for patrons attending events and reduces reliance on nearby Denominational Houses during peak times.

We are also making several changes to improve patron services and accessibility. Ticketing will move from the Amphitheater kiosk to the Hultquist lobby, providing better ADA access for special studies sales and allowing guests to receive ticket support outside the security perimeter. For busy events, a new navigation station will be added in Odland Plaza to help orient patrons and reduce confusion during arrival and departure.

When in effect, the security perimeter will be modestly expanded to better support event operations while maintaining a safe and welcoming environment. In addition, the Amphitheater kiosk will be repurposed to continue piloting limited concession service during select events this season. Importantly, water refill stations will remain open during events, operating with a security perimeter in place.

Community Listening Session

As part of this continued learning process, we have scheduled a community listening session at Smith Wilkes Hall on Monday, July 20.

By that point in the season, we will have hosted an estimated three concession events, one shoulder‑season concert, and several events operating with an expanded security perimeter. We intentionally chose this timing to ensure that both the Institution and the community have had the opportunity to experience these changes firsthand, while still allowing time in the season to hear feedback and make adjustments if needed.

Looking beyond this summer, we will continue evaluating each of these ideas — individually and collectively — following the conclusion of the 2026 season. This ongoing review will help inform the best operational model to deliver a balanced experience that improves the visit of all patron types while remaining aligned with Chautauqua’s mission and values.

Learning, Adapting, and Listening

As with last year, this work is being approached intentionally as a pilot. That means continuing to listen, observe, and refine — acknowledging what works well, identifying what can be improved, and making adjustments with care. We remain committed to preserving the character of the grounds, supporting our neighbors, and ensuring that any changes are thoughtful, measured, and informed by community feedback.

Your questions, insights, and perspectives are essential to this process. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at snelson@chq.org. I’m grateful for your engagement and for the shared stewardship that makes Chautauqua such a special place.

With appreciation,

Sam Nelson Director of Business Development