In an article on the front page of Friday’s (2/13) Rochester Business Journal (New York), Nate Dougherty writes, “As the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc. awaits the opening of the renovated Eastman Theatre this year and a further expansion slated for 2010, the organization is undergoing a related period of transformation. Buoyed by the success of a recent three-year strategic plan, the RPO intends to use the theater’s renovation to reinvent the concert experience and gain new revenue. … The RPO in January released its financial results for fiscal 2007-08, the final year of a growth plan dubbed ‘Ensuring a Vibrant Future.’ … During the three-year plan, revenue and support rose from $9 million to $10 million cumulatively. … The success of the current three-year campaign, approved by the RPO board in July, will rely heavily on optimizing the potential of the Eastman Theatre, which will be known as Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.” RPO President and CEO Charles Owens believes additions such as new box seats in the hall, concessions, and a new gift shop will help increase revenue. “The RPO will put more emphasis into recordings to increase its prominence on the national stage, Owens said.”
