Illinois Events Coalition Updates
Hello friends and Happy Monday to you! We wanted to catch you up an on a few things!!
Campaign
The Illinois Events Coalition and the Live Events Coalition are supporting a new cool campaign to help raise awareness in hopes that the government will take notice and provide the support the events industry so desperately needs. The RESTART Act is a bill that is currently moving through congress, but has stalled. They are organizing a widespread PR event by lighting up as many buildings in RED as possible and posting pictures and videos to social media and news outlets in hopes that this will help push the bill through. They have also partnered with ExtendPUA.org and are requesting a continuation and expansion of the PUA, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and FPUC, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, which supplement earnings per week for those on unemployment and open up unemployment to 1099 workers. A similar event was held in the UK on Tuesday 8/11/2020 which was hugely successful and included 715 buildings/structures glowing in red. Below is a link to an aerial video showing downtown London that night as well as a really well done example:
Instagram Video
Facebook Video
We are asking all willing participants to light their building(s) exteriors in RED or rock the red outside your building on Tuesday September 1, 2020 from 9p-12a in your local time zone and to post pictures or video using the hashtags #WeMakeEvents, #RedAlertRESTART, and #ExtendPUA.
You can help in three ways:
1. If you have a commercial or residential building that can be lit in RED!
2. If you have equipment and or services that you’re willing to offer for those that need it to facilitate.
3. Spread the word by forwarding this to anyone that you know who can help.
#RedAlertRestart #WeMakeEvents #extendPUA
Letter to Elected Officials
The Live Events Coalition has shared and updated letter writing campaign to congress calling for action on negotiating and passing a relief bill. Please check that out here and participate by signing!
Guidelines
Here is a link to the guidelines for both Chicago and Illinois. It is important to please keep following these guidelines and keep events safe!!!!
Chicago hosted some very informative webinars and you can listen to the replays here about the guidelines which also had Q&A.
Survey
Thank you for taking the survey. It has been very helpful in speaking with officials to explain the devastating impact COVID-19 has a had on our industry. If you have not already taken it you can still take the survey here.
Thank you! Please reach out to us with any questions: info@ileventscoalition.com
Stay safe friends and take care,
Ali Phillips, Michelle Durpetti and Collin Pierson
Don’t You Wish You Were There?
Hello Friends! Happy July to you all!!!
We cannot believe how quickly the year is going! Can you? Speaking of, can you believe how weird and scary it feels to not be working? Our friends at the Live Events Coalition were hoping we could help them out with a social media call to action about this exact subject matter. The “wish I was there” hashtag is one they would like to start seeing event professionals use to help amplify on social media.
Their specific ask is to share an image that shows you or your team working on an event versus a gorgeous room photo. The idea is to help educate people outside of the industry that we are still being incredibly impacted by all of this and we still are not working.
We were hoping that everyone could get a photo up in the month of July and use the hashtag #wishiwasthere. It is that easy!! Please join us and POST on social media this month of July!
Stronger Together! Thank you so much!! Join us by sharing your post and the hashtag #wishiwasthere #saveillinoisevents
Stay safe friends,
Ali Phillips, Michelle Durpetti and Collin Pierson
Tips and Details Below on the Campaign
Social Media Call to Action
Good morning,
We are so proud of the work we have done as a community to come together during this unprecedented moment for our industry.
On the Live Events Coalition and the DC Events Coalition calls last week, our creative advocacy partner, Subject Matter, unveiled phase one of the #WishIWasThere campaign spearheaded by the Live Events Coalition. While they finalize plans for a full-scale campaign to build support for such action in a few weeks, in collaboration with the Live Events Coalition we are asking for your help in starting a word-of-mouth campaign on social media.
We want people to see this campaign’s hashtag (#WishIWasThere) in their social feeds with your personal story before Live Events begins a campaign to sign petitions and send additional letters to Members of Congress in support of our industry. The below instructions outline the simple steps you can take between Monday, July 6 and Wednesday, July 15 to help our industry get this message out.
Get started by accessing this ToolKit that will guide you through the first step of this activation. There are just four simple steps needed to share your stories!
Steps
How to Support the #WishIWasThere Campaign
We all share in some degree of nostalgia for the fun summer events being cancelled this year. We need your help to remind everyone that not only are they missing out on a good time, but that you’re experiencing financial uncertainty.
1. Find a photo of you and/or your team working a popular event last summer. Please try to find an image that clearly shows people at work or wearing easily recognizable “crew” / “event staff” shirts or uniforms.
2. Make the photo black and white. Most social media apps include filters that can do this, or you can adjust photos using your phone’s built-in photo app.
3. Tell us why you #WishIWasThere. Write a short caption explaining what event is shown in the photo, what it means to you that you’re missing it this year and how that has affected you financially. Please include the #WishIWasThere hashtag.
4. Post... and repeat. Publish your post on your favorite social media channel. If you have more stories to tell, share those, too.
Thank you so much to our Illinois supporters! We are here for you! Please let us know if you have any questions or we can help in any way!
Weekly Update: June 18, 2020
Hello friends, Happy Thursday to you!
We wanted to catch you up an on a few things that we are working on, reading, watching and listening to.
Senator Durbin’s Office
This week we had a call with Senator Durbin’s office. Senator Durbin is in support of the HEROES Act, the second stimulus Act in relation to financial assistance due to COVID-19. This Act has passed the House and will go to the Senate for a vote. This will most likely take place after the recess and following the July 4th Holiday. Per his team’s request, next week we will be sending a survey to determine the 3-5 most important items our supporters at the Illinois Events Coalition would support in the HEROES act. Senator Durbin’s office has been so great, continuing to value our feedback and continuing the conversation with the Coalition. We will remain in communication with his office and have a call with them in a couple of weeks to check in, and of course will then check back with all of you! Read more about Durbin’s support of the act here.
The Illinois Events Coalition is thrilled to have the support of the ILEA, International Live Events Association Greater Chicago Chapter. They will be sharing information with their members of their support and information on how to join the Illinois Events Coalition. Thank you to Barb Siska CSEP, Vicki Bowman, CMP, CED, CSEP – President of the Greater Chicago Chapter, Amy McMonigal, President-Elect, Rachel Krieger, VP of Marcom, Ryan Campbell, Director of Marcom (incoming VP of Marcom) and Monika Heppe, CSEP, Director of Programs.
Governor announces grants and assistance for small businesses affected by COVID 19
Yesterday, Governor Pritzker, with State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford and State Senator Omar Aquino announced a new $900 million financial assistance program to support those hardest-hit by COVID-19 and civil unrest. He spoke about how as COVID-19 continues to progress, financial hardships become more acute. Consequently, the state of Illinois is getting to work, announcing new programs for families and businesses.
Small businesses can apply for assistance from the $270 million grant including those that:
Have been damaged/impacted by significant property damage recently during the protests/looting
Are bars and restaurant that do not have outdoor capability and also barbershops and salons.
The program will launch Monday on the DCEO site https://dceocovid19resources.com. The Illinois House Development Authority will also launch two $150 million emergency programs for those that are unable to pay rent and mortgage payments. They have also extended the eviction ban thru July 31st.
Pritzker said this program will support over 73,000 Illinoisans. On Wednesday at the press meeting he said, “With assistance from the federal CARES Act and in partnership with the General Assembly, including from the Black Caucus, Latino Caucus, and Asian Caucus, my administration has put together a support package of over 900 million dollars to lift up small businesses, working families and Black and Brown communities who have been hit the hardest by COVID-19's financial impacts. I'm deeply proud to lead a state government so committed to being there for the people we serve."
Full details of the new program and the Governnor’s press release here
CONTINUING OUR EDUCATION
We also wanted to share some more educational articles, podcasts and videos with our supporters to continue to educate themselves on racial equality.
Perfete: Diversity Action Plan by Kunbi Odubogun
A Conversation on Racial Inequality and Injustice by experts: Daryl Davis, Baratunde Thurston, Rev. Deborah Johnson, Briona Jenkins, which you can watch here.
The Supreme Court’s surprising 6-to-3 ruling in favor of gay and transgender rights was perhaps the strongest evidence yet of how fundamentally and unpredictably American views have changed. To read more, click here.
Update from the Live Events Coalition
Hello, and Happy Friday, friends:
We hope this finds you well. Wanted to share a few updates from our calls this week with the Live Events Coalition. You can catch founding member Michelle Durpetti on their FB live from yesterday, here. They also had a really great read in the New York Times this week, “Party Planners on Pause: How do you function when there are no Social Functions.” You can read it here.
The Live Events Coalition is a great group who we continue to partner with and learn from. This week they had quite a few updates to send our way regarding legislation and we wanted to share those with you.
There will be two bills which should be introduced in the Senate this week or next and will be key in jump starting the return of events with tax credit incentives. As the vote comes up in July, we will pick up efforts in reaching out to our elected officials, having our supporters send letter and a social media call to action. The Illinois Events Coalition continues to reach out to our Senators and House of Reps staff. We have a call scheduled with Senator Durbin’s office next week and continue to talk with our congressmen and women in Illinois. We would like to share the bills here with you for your review.
But first, they would like for all of us to participate in this anonymous survey that is providing them needed information to assist with their lobbying efforts in D.C. Take the survey here
In conjunction with US Travel & Meetings Mean Business - the Travel America Act is something that the LEC is supporting. You can find details below:
The LEC has also signed on in support of moving the Restart Act forward in the Senate, to have future direct aid to our industries workers and small business owners. You can find details on the Restart Act below:
Last, in an effort to continue to share resources and information that we are finding to be educational and informative, we are sharing IEC member Akeshi Akinseye’s podcast episode: “Diversity & Inclusion in the Events Industry”
“Let’s Talk About It”, is a podcast by author, designer, mentor, wedding planner, business coach, author and IEC supporter Akeshi Imogie Of Kesh Events, Inc.
“Diversity and Inclusion in the wedding & events industry” is an episode that we encourage you to listen to. Akeshi has been sharing episodes each day this week, and they are insightful, educational, thought provoking, heartfelt - and very candid. We appreciate the opportunity to listen, and continue to learn through these episodes. I hope that you will too.
Featured in the episode is Marc Wilson of The Style Marc, Inc., fellow IEC supporter Desiree Moore Dent of Dejanae Events, and Nana Annan of Nana Annan Photography
Included in the episode is a candid conversation about the state of the wedding industry, lack of diversity and a way forward.
We very much appreciate and thank each of them for creating this episode and conversation so that we all may continue to learn.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-about-it-with-akeshi-akinseye/id1493037623#episodeGuid=4c67c47a-7b16-492b-9940-727296dc871b
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gN5raWgUTkMnWBeY5UoPH
Thank you so much, enjoy your weekend. Sending love.
IEC weekly update, June 9, 2020
Hello, friends. We hope this update finds you all well. We have a few things to catch everyone up on, and a few thoughts to share at the end of this update as well. Today we were invited to our second call with the DCEO who is working with Governor Pritzker's office on reopening Illinois, and specifically the Phase 4 guidelines. Soon the DCEO will be sharing the Phase 4 guidelines related to meetings and social events in ballrooms, hotel ballrooms and venues.
The Illinois Events Coalition is so very happy to be a part of these calls, and this ongoing conversation. Please know that we are continuing to be a part of the conversation with regards to phased re-opening in Illinois and how events continue to be impacted by COVID-19
We have remained in touch with Senator Durbin’s office, and have also heard from Congressman Danny Davis’s office and look forward to speaking with this team soon.
While we continue to dedicate ourselves to creating a place that offers support within our industry and education for those outside of our community with regards to how COVID-19 has impacted our industry; we also want to say publicly that we stand with our Black members of The Illinois Events community, and supporters of The Illinois Events Coalition and throughout the world. We are taking this moment to express our commitment to work together, and work to actively, consciously, create a community of equality and diversity. To challenge injustice, to be more inclusive, and to speak out against racism. We are learning, and we are listening. In the coming days, and from here moving forward we will share with you resources to further your education as well. Today, we suggest that you consider listening to IEC member Akeshi Akinseye’s podcast, episode 29. Akeshi offers candid insights and great information in her podcasts, and will be sharing episodes throughout the week. We thank her for giving us the opportunity to share this episode with all of you.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-things-you-can-do-to-support-black-community-right/id1493037623?i=1000477191225
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3i6nzwT8Djov32tGQQAxz8
Listen on Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/m/Izkrs3ajvzn7dl5bjr76m4mmy3a?t=Lets_Talk_About_It_with_Akeshi_Akinseye
Watch now: Meet the Experts with David Rothstein
The IEC had the pleasure of chatting with David Rothstein, supporter of the coalition and owner of DRS Music Inc. on his weekly webinar “Unplanned - Ask the Experts.” Ali, Michelle, & Collin weighed in on the current state of affairs in the Illinois events industry, and what the coalition has been up to this week. Thank you David!
Join Us on “Meet the Experts” Webinar Tuesday, May 26th
Thank you David Rothstein and UNPLANNED - Event Industry Corona Virus Help for the invite, we can’t wait to be a part of your “Ask the Experts” webinar this week!
When: May 26th 10:00am
Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82723161870
IEC Founder Ali Phillips featured on the Engage! Foundation Webinar
We were so honored to be on the Engage! Foundation webinar today with people proving how people with an idea can truly make a difference. To watch the recording please click here.
Password: 3b=94kK^
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!
On the call, Ali challenged participants to a three step challenge:
1. Please join our coalition as a supporter on our website here.
2. Help us reach 300 letters to Senators Durbin + Duckworth! Even if you do not live in Illinois you can support Illinois events! There is also a great and easy tool to tweet our Senators, Governor and Mayor. Click here to help us reach 300!
As of Friday, we are at 166! It takes 30 second max to do this, we promise.
Please take the time! They are listening and they need to keep hearing from us!
3. Share with your networks on your social platforms to help spread the word
Thank you again! Stay safe and be well!
Thank you Angela Desveaux for your amazing logo and graphics for the coalition and to Jeannette Tavares for being such an incredible advisor!
IEC featured on the “Let’s Talk About It” Podcast with Akeshi Akinseye
Thank you Akeshi Imogie for having us on to discuss all things Illinois Events Coalition on your podcast! Ali, Collin and Michelle are so grateful for the opportunity to share the story behind the coalition, and what we hope to accomplish. THANK YOU so much for the support.
Friends - episode 27 is where its at! Check it out.
Listen to the episode here
Weekend Update from the IEC
We had a great conversation with Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s office today of the second congressional district to tell them about the coalition and answer questions they had about how the event industry is impacted in Illinois at this time of COVID-19. We also had an honest conversation about how the process for the PPP, EIDL, unemployment and PUA is working for everyone and we did share with him everything we are hearing from you.
If your business is located in the Second Congressional district,( you can see the map here to determine that), please shoot us an email to let us know. We would like to speak with you directly on some follow-up we have for them.
ALSO, we are interested in knowing which congressional districts your businesses operates in Illinois, which is important while we are talking to our congressional leaders. We will be sending a survey your way soon, please do fill that out for us if you can? We would be so appreciative!
You can quickly look up what district your business is located in here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Some more good news. We are in touch with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in Governor Pritzker’s office and have a call with them next week. Stay tuned for more information next week on that.
We will have a few other updates to share from the Live Events Coalition, and about a zoom webinar that we are so excited to participate in this coming Tuesday! Stay tuned, friends. And enjoy the weekend.
Send Letters & Tweets to our Elected Officials
While good old fashioned “snail mail” is always the classic way to get in touch with someone, modern technology sure has helped. We have teamed up with the Live Events Coalition to provide an online “Letter Generator” to ease the process of sending out our letters to Illinois Senators. After signing, it will ask if you would like to attach a video - we think this is a hugely impactful way of contact them, so please do it if you can. In addition, you will also be able to send tweets to our Senators, Governor, & Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
IL Phase Tracker Now Available
With the Restore Illinois plan now rolled out, the state has also launched a website updated ever 48 hours with easy to read data related to COVID-19 cases. Visit the link below to track in your section of Illinois.
Introductory Webinar with the IEC
Please use this link to view our first webinar for the Illinois Events Coalition! This introductory webinar provides some start information about who we are, what we are hoping to accomplish, and some explanations of what we have accomplished so far.
PUA Opens for Illinois
Hello fellow solopreneurs & IEC supporters! Today is a big day for Illinois unemployment insurance: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is now available for application:
You must apply for regular IDES benefits, and receive a determination of $0.00 of benefits, to apply. This is a non-negotiable, so, unfortunately if you have not done that, you will need to get on top of that right away as it may be a few weeks before you can apply for PUA.
You need to sign up for, and do a “quick” resume through IllinoisJobLink.com - this is also a requirement of the IDES unemployment program.
Make sure you set up direct deposit on the IDES main website first. This will save you time and hassle later, as the debit card they offer has restrictions.
You will need your tax documents, State ID, and your social security number handy. 2019 is preferable, but if you have 2018 handy, that works too (stay tuned for confirmation of this - see point 7)
Visit the IDES website and click on the top left photo that says "file an unemployment claim," or you can click the link attached below.
You will need to type up, in the application, a little "blurb" about why you are requesting PUA. Make a point to state multiple times that your business was directly affected by COVID-19, and don’t be afraid to support that with data from your business losses.
There is still no guidance on tax documents. The portal talks about 2019 tax docs, but, there is an option to say you haven't filed your most recent documents. On the confirmation email received, it stated other language for both 2018 & 2019. In any case, some are uploading 2018 1040 Schedule C, 1040, etc., to the portal, after completing the application.
Make sure you check your email shortly after submission. IDES sends an email confirmation - you must click that link or your claim will not go through!
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available - IEC is reaching out to get more guidance from IDES!
Illinois Events Coalition’s First Webinar - Tuesday May 12
Hello Illinois event + wedding industry pros!
The Illinois Events Coalition @ileventscoalition (on instagram) has been working on our outreach to policy makers this week.
Please join us on Tuesday, May 12th, at 2PM to meet our founders Ali Phillips, Michelle Durpetti, & Collin Pierson & to talk in detail about we have been up to behind the scenes: advocating for the events industry, how we can all work collectively to reach to our policymakers, and to affect change.
We hear you and are here for you.
Please register today for the zoom call HERE
Also please visit: www.ILeventscoalition.com if you have not already done so and join as a supporter.
Thank you so much! Stay Safe!
We would like to thank Jennifer Stein, editor of Destination I Do Magazine for being our moderator
Town Hall Webinar: Live Events Coalition - PPP, Unemployment & Relief
Join the Live Events Coalition on Thursday April 30 at 7PM CST as they bring together a panel of experts to provide insight in to navigating the PPP loan program, unemployment benefits, and other relief programs.
Panelists include; CPA Dara Simon of Cherry & Bekaert LLP, Attorney Lema Khorshid of Fuksa Korshid LLC and coalition member Jeremey Foreman.
DC Events Coalition Webinar: Reimagined Spaces for Social Distancing
Join the DC Events Coalition on Thursday, April 30th at 12:30 p.m. EST for a town hall webinar discussing the reimagining of spaces for social distancing.
Host: Andre Wells of Events by Andre Wells, DC Event Coalition
Panelists:
David Adler, Chairman and Founder of BizBash
Rachel Chadderdon, Director of Sales, Design Cuisine
Dr. Regina Davis Moss, Associate Executive Director of Public Health Policy and Practice for the American Public Health Association
Alton Greene, MD, MPH, Board Certified Internist and Occupational Medicine Physician
Steve Polo, Managing Partner of the Design Consultancy, OPX
Sara Rosen Pumar, Assistant Director of Event Sales, Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, DC
William C. E. Robinson, Esq., head of a Fortune 100 Corporate Labor and Employment Group
Chris White, Event Captain and Catering Logistician
Welcome to the Illinois Events Coalition
Hello and thank you for visiting our site and supporting these efforts that we feel are so vital. Like all of you, we have been experiencing the impact of COVID 19 on our businesses, clients, and lives. We are inspired by the work of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, the DC event coalition, and the Live Events Coalition to channel our concern, hope and need for action in positive change. As a response to what is happening everywhere we have formed this coalition in an effort to support one another, our clients and the industry we all love.
We are an industry that creates memorable experiences for clients and their guests and attendees. To create those experiences, we rely on our collective expertise, relationships and connections. We are calling on all of that expertise, those relationships and connections now as we face the impact that the Coronavirus (COVID 19) is having across the world. We are here so that we can be part of the conversation forming the path forward as we navigate these unprecedented times, knowing that the health and safety of every vendor, client, guest, and the entire global community are our first priority - but saving events, our clients and this industry is equally as important.
We are here in an effort to provide our industry with the correct resources and information needed to navigate forward during these hard times, and keep the lines of communication open as we move ahead in the years to come.
We know the passion, hard work and tireless dedication that goes in to creating these events, and our hope is that by coming together, we can preserve the businesses we have worked so hard to build, the clients with whom we cultivated relationships with, and ultimately the industry that we are all privileged to be a part of. We know that we are stronger together, with one collective voice, and by visiting this website that you also agree with that. We thank you for the support, we stand with you, and we look forward to growing this coalition and its efforts to help event professionals everywhere weather this storm. Please join our efforts by signing up, emailing local and state representatives and spreading the word.
Thank you, we send you our love and support.
Ali Phillips, Michelle Durpetti & Collin Pierson