#PAUSED
Before COVID-19, the live events industry employed 12 million people. Today, nearly 80% of us are unemployed. While you miss attending events, we still miss a paycheck - stability to provide for our families. Our industry's businesses are urgently in need of relief. Our lives remain PAUSED.
We were the first to shut down, and will be the last to return. We are not looking for a handout, we need a lifeline.
#ILEventsCoalition #LiveEventsCoalition #ExtendSVOG #SaveLiveEvents #COVIDRelief #PAUSED
The Illinois Events Coalition is made up of dedicated, career event professionals. We are producers and creatives. We are entrepreneurs, gig economy workers, consultants, contractors and small businesses. We create once in a lifetime experiences for our clients. For us, events are equal parts a passion and a calling. And we are in crisis.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted the world. It has impacted the hundreds of thousands of engaged couples, conferences, galas, concerts, and expos. It has impacted every event, and it has impacted all of us.
We have a shared belief; this coalition can offer support within our industry and educate those outside of our community too. The overarching goal is to be the collective voice for our industry as we face this uncertain time together. We come here to call on local and state lawmakers for assistance. We grow this effort as well as this Coalition and seek to evolve it to continue to fit the needs of our beloved, changing community. We are eager to be a part of the conversation, we are committed to being part of the solution, and we are determined to find a path forward preserving our businesses and the industry we all cherish.
What we have been fighting for.
Set aside funds for smaller businesses, solopreneurs, freelancers & gig workers:
Smaller businesses were largely left behind. We need much needed economic relief for these parties and specifically to set aside a portion of PPP funds exclusively for these types of applicants
Include grants or loans tailored to solopreneurs, freelancers & gig workers:
Grants & loans based on verifiable anticipated earnings and prior earnings history.
Expand forgivable uses of Paycheck Protection Program funds:
Event & wedding professionals with few employees will find it difficult to qualify for forgiveness and thus are not getting relief.
Further expand disaster loan advances & extend unemployment benefits:
The 60 Billion reportedly allocated to replenish the disaster relief loan fund will not be enough. Essential disaster assistance needs to expand to provide our businesses with the short term relief we need. IDES & PUA unemployment benefits must be extended as events will be the last to return.
We are the community that creates, produces, & manages milestone events that enrich the lives of all who celebrate.
By the numbers.
Sourced by Editor In Chief Media
We Are:
5.9 MILLION of us working in the United States alone. According to the Oxford Economics & Events Industry Council, 2018
We Contribute:
2.8 BILLION to the Illinois economy, from the weddings, luxury weddings & events industry
In Crises:
87% of professionals have had events cancelled. 66% of professionals have had to postpone event business. 74% of event professionals revenue has been lost due to this pandemic. Lost Food & Beverage revenue for March through September 2020 is already at $460 Million
If you would like to join our efforts, please sign up:
“We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now.” - Martin Luther King Jr.