A PASSION FOR THE INDUSTRY

A strong work ethic, making people feel special and going the extra mile all make Lucy Albers a wonderful employee and coworker. 
“The combination of her creativity, attention to detail and her strong passion for the industry is what makes her a valuable member of our team,” said Chris Semrau, assistant general manager of Denny Sanford Premier Center, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Albers started working for SMG when she was 25 years old as a box office rep. Semrau has watched her career flourish.
She’s now 31 and the senior marketing manager for SMG at Denny Sanford Premier Center.
“It’s a very cool thing,” said Albers. “I definitely have very surreal moments at times thinking, ‘Wow, this is my job.’ I love what I do, and I love being here. Everyday I get to come here, and work on something different and something new.”
She excelled in her roles with the box office and eventually became the assistant box officer manager. A short time later she was promoted to marketing manager. In 2016, she was promoted once again to her current role — a role that is a perfect fit, Semrau said.
“I think her execution of announcement activities for artists such as Paul McCartney, promotion for mega artists like Elton John … and doing little things like making gifts for the crew, all make her stand out,” he said. “She’ll set up food and snack bars in the back of the house for truck drivers on show days.”
Albers played a key role in opening the Denny Sanford Premier Center in 2014, helping with advertising, annual reports and a new publication for the new venue.
“I just love it when we have a full house of 12,000 to 14,000 people,” she said. “You’re essentially creating an experience and a memory for everyone else.”
Because she’s constantly working with booking managers and marketing big shows and games, Albers is consistently asked if she meets famous people.
“I get that question a lot,” she laughed. “It’s usually shaking their hand really fast. I did get to meet Ed Sheeran once. I think my boss knew I was a fan out to meet him. I don’t remember any of it, as I blacked out at the time.”
She’s having such a great time in her current job that if you were to ask her about her dream job, she’ll say she’s got it. So where does she see herself 10 years from now?
“I definitely want to stay in this industry,” said Albers. “I love the marketing side of things. Long term, I just hope I can stay in the industry and keep proving myself.”
Albers loves her coworkers and how dedicated they are to their jobs.
“I surround myself with people who are so motivated to do things,” she said. “I know everyone in our office is like that. We have a fairly young office.”
Albers is inspired to consistently work on herself and excel both professionally and personally. Also, her friends and coworkers all have the same passion she does to do well.
“I surround myself with people in their late 20s and early 30s. Everyone seems so ambitious,” Albers said.
Originally, she went to school to be a journalist. She worked for her college newspaper at South Dakota State University, Brookings, and majored in journalism.
“I do miss being able to write about upcoming events,” Albers said, noting that although she’s not a professional journalist, she’s very happy with her current career path. She also enjoys the excitement that goes into her work.
“The shows are constantly revolving. We get to be creative. We get to push ourselves and do all these different things for different events,” she said.