irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0THE ENTERTAINMENT TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (ETCP) IS AN INDUSTRY-WIDE PROGRAM THAT HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER AN UNPRECEDENTED GROUP OF INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS TO CREATE A PROGRAM OF RIGOROUS ASSESSMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS. ETCP FOCUSES ON DISCIPLINES THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CREWS, PERFORMERS, AND AUDIENCES. YOU MAY BECOME CERTIFIED THROUGH ETCP IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: RIGGER ARENA, RIGGER THEATRE, ENTERTAINMENT ELECTRICIAN AND PORTABLE POWER DISTRIBUTION TECHNICIAN.
- #2 $0THE ESTA TECHNICAL STANDARDS PROGRAM IS THE ONLY ANSI-ACCREDITED STANDARDS PROGRAM DEDICATED TO THE NEEDS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY. THE STANDARDS CREATED UNDER THE TSP ARE USED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY EVERY DAY BY ALMOST EVERY MANUFACTURER, DEALER, INSTALLER, PRODUCTION COMPANY AND END USER. THESE STANDARDS PREVENT ACCIDENTS, PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY, SAVE TIME AND MONEY, SOLVE PROBLEMS, INFORM THE INDUSTRY, AND ENHANCE CREATIVITY.
named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
ESTA Technical Standards Program (TSP)
ANSI-accredited program that develops and maintains technical standards for the entertainment technology industry, used daily by manufacturers, dealers, installers, production companies, and end users to prevent accidents and ensure interoperability.
Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP)
Industry-wide certification program offering rigorous assessments for professional technicians in rigging (arena and theatre), entertainment electrician, and portable power distribution roles to improve safety for crews, performers, and audiences.
activities · 12 groups
What they do
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Professional Certification and Continuing Education 2 activities
- Administers the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP)Operates a certification program that provides rigorous assessments for professional technicians in rigging, entertainment electrician, and portable power distribution disciplines to promote safety for crews, performers, and audiences. The program is nationally recognized and accredited.
- Develops and manages industry programs and initiativesDevelops and manages key industry programs including the Technical Standards Program (TSP), Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP), and Rental Guard to advance safety, professionalism, and best practices.
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Industry Trade Association Services 2 activities
- Advocates for standardized and ethical practices in motion picture equipment rentalAdvocates for the motion picture equipment rental industry by promoting standardized operations and ethical business practices, including through the Production Equipment Rental Group (PERG).
- Supports rental companies in film and digital productionProvides support and representation for professional rental companies supplying cameras, grip, and lighting equipment to the motion picture, television, and commercial production industries.
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Student and User Data Privacy & Security 1 activity
- Conducts research to inform program developmentConducts online surveys to collect demographic and usage data from website visitors to assess and improve ESTA programs and services.
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Industry Standards Development and Management 1 activity
- Develops technical standards through the ESTA Technical Standards Program (TSP)Operates the ANSI-accredited Technical Standards Program (TSP) to develop safety and performance standards used across the entertainment technology industry by manufacturers, installers, production companies, and end users. The program helps prevent accidents and improves safety, efficiency, and innovation.
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Professional Association Capacity Building 1 activity
- Facilitates peer collaboration and knowledge sharingOperates a peer group program and provides platforms for professional rental companies to collaborate, share knowledge, and develop collective solutions to industry challenges.
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Film Production Funding and Fiscal Sponsorship 1 activity
- Funds initiatives for industry standards and professional developmentFunds initiatives related to industry standards, certification, and resources that support the professional growth and operational excellence of entertainment technology professionals.
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Member-Exclusive Resource Access 1 activity
- Operates online platforms and forums for member communication and commerceProvides free access to a website offering information, education, communication, and e-commerce services to members and visitors. Includes password-protected forums for committee and working group members to exchange information and collaborate.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Organizes industry meetings, events, and networking opportunitiesHosts and organizes in-person and virtual gatherings including the Annual General Meeting, fall TSP meetings, OktoberfESTA networking event, and participation at industry events such as NAMM and USITT to support collaboration and information sharing.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Produces and distributes industry publications and educational contentProduces a quarterly publication that serves as a leading source of information for entertainment technology businesses, featuring articles on business practices, emerging technologies, technical standards, certification, and industry news.
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Recognizes industry contributions through awardsPresents awards to honor technical achievement, volunteerism, and member-nominated contributions within the entertainment technology industry.
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Credit Union Financial Services 1 activity
- Supports identity verification for members via Plaid integrationProvides members with a co-branded Plaid dashboard and creates login credentials for employee use to facilitate secure identity verification processes.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Hosts the Midwest Rigging Intensive training programOrganizes and delivers a multi-day, hands-on training program focused on rigging for live entertainment, covering material failure, proof loading, human factors in safety, and live destructive testing. The program provides sufficient training hours for participants to earn all required ETCP Education renewal credits.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.64M
Contributions & grants$422K26%
Program service revenue$1.20M73%
Investment income$23K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.68M
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$813K
Grants paid out$58K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.09M
Cash$448K
Investments$575K
Liabilities$56K
Net assets$1.03M
Liquid reserves7.3 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +8.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIN GRABE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $100K |
board members · 13
- ANDY SHIPSIDES — DIRECTOR - 01/24 - 02/24
- BENJAMIN HAGUE — VICE PRESIDENT - EFF 01/24
- ELMER VEITH — SECRETARY - THRU 01/24
- ETHAN GILSON — DIRECTOR
- EVAN WILLIAMS — DIRECTOR
- HANNAH D'AMICO — DIRECTOR
- JOE ALDRIDGE — DIRECTOR
- MARK WOFFORD — DIRECTOR - THRU 01/24
- PATRICK WALLACE — SECRETARY - EFF 01/24
- STEVE ROUDEBUSH — DIRECTOR
- STEVE SURRATT — TREASURER
- STEVE TERRY — DIRECTOR
- TODD SPENCER — PRESIDENT
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- ANSI Government — Accredits the ESTA Technical Standards Program (TSP) as the only ANSI-accredited standards program for the entertainment technology industry.
- ANSI Government — Works within the ANSI-accredited ESTA Technical Standards Program to develop industry standards for rigging and entertainment technology.
- Behind the Scenes Partner — Collaborates on mental health programming, including an info session on Mental Health First Aid and related resources for entertainment industry workers.
- Delta Hotels Minneapolis Northeast Partner — Host hotel for the ESTA Fall Meetings in Minneapolis
- ESTA Network — Operates as a member-based organization providing forums and services to its members.
- ESTA members Network — Network of members who use the ESTA site for information, communication, and commerce under antitrust-compliant guidelines.
- ETCP Network — Collaborates with ETCP through shared certification and training initiatives, including ETCP Recognized Trainers and certified riggers.
- Facebook Partner — Has a presence on Facebook for member and public engagement
- Harry Box Partner — PERG Manager responsible for handling membership inquiries and supporting group operations.
- Instagram Partner — Has a presence on Instagram for member and public engagement
- Katie Jang Partner — Editor of Protocol, responsible for managing content and reader engagement.
- LinkedIn Partner — Has a presence on LinkedIn for member and public engagement
- NAMM Partner — Collaborates with NAMM to host events and engage industry professionals.
- Northern Illinois University Partner — Hosts the Midwest Rigging Intensive at its DeKalb, Illinois campus.
- Northwestern University Partner — Hosts the Midwest Rigging Intensive at its Evanston, IL campus.
- Plaid Partner — Partnership to provide identity verification services to ESTA members through a special arrangement.
- RENTAL GUARD Partner — Platform for sharing information about questionable customers to benefit the community.
- TSP Rigging Working Group Coalition — Participates in the TSP Rigging Working Group to develop safety and technical standards for entertainment rigging.
- Twitter Partner — Has a presence on Twitter for member and public engagement
- USITT Partner — Collaborates on educational programming and standards development, including participation in joint training and conferences.
- USITT Partner — Participates in USITT events to connect with the theater and entertainment technology community.
- YouTube Partner — Has a presence on YouTube for member and public engagement
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Hands-On, Industry-Expert-Led Training Aligned with Certificationmethodology: experiential_learning_with_certification_alignmentBy delivering failure-focused, hands-on rigging education led by ETCP Recognized Trainers, ESTA ensures technical accuracy and professional relevance, because experiential learning taught by practitioners increases skill retention and directly supports certification renewal and career advancement.
- Industry Certification and Standards Development for Safetymethodology: safety_through_certificationBy establishing and promoting technician certification and ANSI-accredited technical standards, ESTA improves safety for crews, performers, and audiences, because standardized practices and verified competencies reduce the risk of accidents in high-risk entertainment environments.
- Peer-Facilitated Knowledge Exchange and Collective Expertisemethodology: peer_powered_learningBy creating structured platforms for peer-to-peer collaboration and leveraging collective member expertise, ESTA fosters innovation and problem-solving across the industry, because shared learning among professionals leads to more robust, widely adopted solutions.