‘You have a voice’
WMHT’s Anthony Hayes reflects on work over past year
NORTH GREENBUSH — A year into the job as WMHT’s new CEO, Anthony Hayes has gotten to know a lot of people — and made a lot of connections — in the Capital Region and beyond.
Hayes was hired in January 2023 after a national search to replace Robert Altman, who led WMHT for 15 years.
A native of Queens, Hayes was a driving force in the merger of WGBY-TV with New England Public Radio to create New England Public Media in Springfield, Mass. He served as chief operating officer and general manager of New England Public Media. Hayes is the sixth leader of WMHT since its founding in 1953, and its first Black CEO.
Hayes didn’t have to travel far to join WMHT, but he knew he wanted to make many connections in his new role and new home in order to make an impact.
“One thing I focused on when I first arrived here was of course having one-on-one meetings with my entire staff as well as one-on-one meetings with the board,” Hayes said. “I wanted to place emphasis on creating the right culture within the organization.”
So what was that culture? “I wanted to make sure that my team knew this is a priority for me,” Hayes said. “I want to hear from you, I want you to know that you have a voice. I want you to know that you have a seat at the table.”
Soon after Hayes was hired, WMHT executives, including Hayes, went on a listening tour to hear from not only financial supporters and viewers and listeners, but also communities and groups that had previously not been fans or a part of WMHT programming. WMHT worked with the Saratoga Springs market research firm Planetarium on focus groups and outreach.
This outreach to new groups has been also tied into new programming such as TV shows on the opioid epidemic and a local gospel music program called Echoes of
Praise, about gospel music in the Capital Region.
“These are people we didn’t necessarily have relationships with and so that was great,” Hayes said. “There was so much positive and recognition that we received, and there was even an increase in donor support just as a result of that and reaching out to the community. These are things that I’ve been focusing on.”
WMHT’s board of directors has also been excited about Hayes under his first year.
“Under Anthony’s leadership, WMHT has made major strides forward in a very short time,” WMHT board chair Shelby Schneider said. “He has also met the board of trustees’ goal to ensure that WMHT is outward facing and meets our audience where they are.”
Schneider said that a year ago, Hayes laid out his goals to the board that included building an “engaged and productive team” while expanding local programming and raising WMHT’s profile in the Capital Region and beyond — all while keeping the nonprofit in a strong financial position.
“A year later, he’s achieved that and more,” said Schneider, who praised Hayes for his “thoughtful, collaborative and strategic approach.”
from Busch Stadium and in the heart of Ballpark Village, the Live! by Loews - St. Louis is not only convenient, but its particular location also holds serious Cardinals history. The 216room hotel sits on the former site of Busch Stadium II, which operated until 2005.
Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel — Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel, located within the Rogers Centre, offers a unique viewing experience for Blue Jays fans. Book one of the fieldview guest rooms for floor-toceiling windows with panoramic views of the field and stadium.
You can also watch from the hotel’s restaurant, the Sportsnet Grill, which has giant windows overlooking the field, while the restaurant’s speakers stream the game’s audio. Baseball-inspired menu items include the 24-inch Slugger hot dog.
How to save on hotels during baseball season
The hotel for your next baseball pilgrimage might cost more this year than in previous seasons. According to Hotel Monitor 2024, a forecast from American Express Global Business Travel, a post-pandemic return to in-person meetings and ongoing inflation have contributed to higher hotel prices.
Some baseball-centric cities are set to see especially notable price hikes, including Boston, where room rates will jump by 11.3 percent year over year, the Hotel Monitor report found.
If your schedule is flexible, travel later in the baseball season so you’re not competing with summer vacation crowds. Or, consider being flexible in terms of the day of the week. According to a 2023 analysis of MLB ticket sales by ticket reseller TicketCity, midweek games offer the best deals.
The report, which looked at ticket sales from 20,000 MLB games from 2014-2022, found that Saturday ticket prices are the most in-demand and the priciest, averaging $78.61. Meanwhile, Wednesday MLB games are the least expensive, averaging $56.19 per ticket. Lower ticket demand may translate to lower rates at nearby hotels catering to sports fans.
To save further, consider joining the hotel’s loyalty program (if they have one). These programs can offer an easy way to accrue points toward future stays and sometimes net discounted rates. Higher levels of hotel elite status can unlock room upgrades or free meals.
You might also roll the dice with prepaid room rates. Though typically nonrefundable, these rates can lock in lower prices.