Showfloor Buzz – September 15, 2020

EACA News

Together Again Expo…..Again.    The EACA will be livestreaming a panel discussion on Friday, September 18, at 1pm ET, 12pm CT, and 10am PT, to discuss that a second Together Again Expo will be taking place in Dallas on October 23.

The inaugural Together Again Expo took place in Orlando on July 24.    It was billed as an industry event that would deliver safety, hope, and a positive path forward for live events.  Live event industry leaders, innovators, and professionals joined in community to showcase new strategies and tools to navigate how live events can be hosted safely and responsibly.

By all measures the Together Again Expo succeeded in its goals to demonstrate that live trade show events could be held safely and responsibly using the creativity and can do attitude that is widely prevalent in our industry.     Produced by Alliance Exposition, the Together Again Expo brought together 1,000 attendees to a 400 exhibit one day exhibition with a conference program and a demonstration stage.    It was evident that those in attendance were more than ready to get back to the business of producing events again, even if it was for only one day.    But best of all after almost 2 months since that event took place no one in attendance has tested positive for COVID.

Since that first event Mark Yuska, Alliance Exposition CEO, has been looking for the next opportunity to host another demonstration event that will hopefully inform elected and health officials about the way trade shows and events can be held safely.   Recently he, and Alliance, announced that Together Again Expo will take place once again in Dallas this time on October 23.

COVID-19 Liability Shield in Effect in Georgia.  A new liability shield law makes Georgia the most recent and the most populous state to protect businesses and other organizations from potential lawsuits over Covid-19 exposure.

RSMGC “I Am the Randy” campaign.     The RSMGC Board realizes that many of our out of town trade show colleagues and friends may find it difficult to come to Atlanta to support this year’s event.   Even so, we want to give everyone an opportunity to participate in the family affair that is The Randy.

That is why we are introducing the I AM THE RANDY campaign to provide everyone an opportunity to support the cause whether you can make it to Atlanta or not.

To participate in the I Am the Randy campaign:

  • Go to the RSMGC site to sign up to play golf in your home town.
  • Get your trade show friends to join you.
  • Post pictures/videos on the RSMGC Facebook page that day (September 28) to show your support
  • Join the Zoom call with all participants from around the country at 6pm ET.

 

EACA Member News

The Expo Group Partners with Public Health Expert.   The Expo Group, an exhibitions and events partner that invests in growth, has partnered with a public health expert to assist clients in their return to face-to-face events and trade shows.  Lauren M. Sauer is Director of Operations for the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

EACA Member Request

Send a Letter to Congress to Save Events Industry.  In March of this year, the live events industry was completely shut down in the fight against COVID-19. Since that time, thousands of events have been cancelled, and 77% of people in the industry have lost 100% of their income.

The 12 million people who work in the live events industry need support from Federal and State governments as soon as possible, or we risk doing permanent damage to an industry that has an economic impact of over $1 Trillion annually on the US Economy.

The United States faces a wave of small-business failures this fall if the federal government does not provide a new round of financial assistance — a prospect that economists warn would prolong the recession, slow the recovery and perhaps enduringly reshape the American business landscape.

Click this Link to send a letter to our representatives to include policies that extend a lifeline to the live events industry and its workers, including:

  • Extend the now-expired $600 weekly federal supplement to state unemployment benefits.
  • Pass the RESTART Act and other direct economic support for organizations in the arts, entertainment, and media industries with appropriate workforce restoration requirements to get people back to work when it is safe to do so.

 

Industry News

Entertainment Venues Stage “Red Alert”   <Exhibit City News>  The coast-to-coast “Red Alert” campaign saw more than 1,500 buildings across the U.S. lit up in red last night, as the live entertainment industry organized a one-night, nationwide call to action on Sept. 1. In more than 50 other cities in the U.S., prominent buildings and skylines were lit up in red from 9 p.m. to midnight.

 

NRA Re-signs Majority of 2020 Exhibitors   <TSNN>   In light of damage the pandemic has inflicted upon the foodservice industry, the National Restaurant Association Show is working to help the industry recover through online resources and a 2021 in-person event that has already re-sold exhibit space to 75 percent of its 2020 exhibitors. NRA is set for May 22-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

Indianapolis Sees Surge of Live Events in July and August.  <TSNN>   Following the implementation of a “back on track” reopening program that included new health and safety measures directed by a local task force, Indianapolis has seen a surge in meetings activity. In the four-week period following the July 7 reopening of Indiana Convention Center (ICC) — which recently spent $7 million on health and safety improvements — the city successfully hosted 18 meetings and events with a total of more than 40,000 attendees.

Viad Obtains Private Placement of Up to $180 million.   Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI), parent company of GES (a global, full-service live events company) and Pursuit (a collection of attractions, lodges, hotels and sightseeing tours in Alaska, Montana, Canadian Rockies, Vancouver, Reykjavik, Toronto and Las Vegas) has closed on an agreement with funds managed by private equity firm Crestview Partners for the private placement of up to $180 million of preferred stock, and an agreement with its lender group to enhance the Company’s financial flexibility for the next eight fiscal quarters.