When our country and economy began shutting down in March of this year, a terrifying reality quickly set in among live event professionals across the United States: We are not only the first industry to shut down, but we will by far be the last to reopen. What will this mean for our livelihoods?
It was under this reality that the Live Events Coalition was founded. The Coalition is a completely volunteer-run 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on the live events industry. The coalition exists to provide advocacy, resources, and a network that connects and supports all the businesses, contractors, and individual members of our workforce of 12 million people—the lifeblood of every event.
The live events industry contributed roughly $1 trillion to the U.S. economy prior to COVID-19, and now is expected to lose up to 80% of overall revenue. It is imperative that legislators, policymakers, and those who influence them understand the extent of the damage to our industry and the need for assistance, as the competition for government relief dollars will only intensify in the weeks and months to come. This is why the Coalition has engaged an advocacy firm to develop a coordinated communications and government relations strategy.
We are asking Congress for relief in the following key areas in order to keep our industry alive: an updated and improved PPP program; an updated and improved EIDL program; the ability for businesses who have already received PPP and EIDL assistance to reapply based on need; easier access to SBA 7(a) funding; and an updated and improved PUA program.
The live events industry is a part of life for nearly every American, but almost no one knows it, and here’s why: Our paramount mission is to create a positive experience for our attendees and audience members, without bringing attention to ourselves. We truly work in the background. It’s our job. It is this “invisibility,” intended as it may be, that we must seek to erase today. We cannot afford to be overlooked or behind the scenes at this moment.
In the last month, the Coalition launched its #WishIWasThere creative advocacy campaign, encouraging live event professionals to post behind-the-scenes black-and-white images on their social media channels, while using the hashtag and tagging their members of Congress. We encourage you to participate by clicking here and following the four simple steps to add your voice to our message.
Finally, we ask that you join us as a member and help us continue our communications and government relations campaign. Membership fees go toward uniting our efforts to gain exposure and get in front of policymakers who are making important decisions that will significantly impact our futures and the fate of our industry. Join now at http://members.liveeventscoalition.org/home/join.
Together, we are live events.
