Events Industry News – 12 June 2020
TOURISM BUSINESS SURVIVAL GRANT
Tourism WA has announced details of the Tourism Business Survival Grant. Successful eligible tourism operators demonstrating extreme business hardship with grants of $25,000 to $100,000 are being made available.
This is a positive initiative by the WA Government, and we encourage any of our members to head to the website and read the Tourism Business Survival Grant guidelines, to determine the eligibility of your business. We believe there might be some opportunity for our members within the three associations.
Note that applications close 4pm AWST, Monday July 6, 2020
MEETING WITH TOURISM MINISTER
Minister Paul Papalia CSC MLA and Minister David Templeman MLA met with leaders of key industries including Hugh Singe, Events Industry Association Vice President who represented the event industry as part of a series of ministerial roundtables. A number of the key challenges faced by the event industry have been discussed at length.
The Western Australian Government acknowledges the importance of a road map for the industry to progress along the lengthy lead times associated with the planning and delivery of events. The Events Industry Association will continue to work with the state government and our industry partners for solutions to the challenges facing the industry.
We are looking forward to the release of a staged road map for the industry in the near future. This will allow the industry to commence planning with confidence and see the return of events during the second half of this year.
| COVID-19 MEMBER SURVEY
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 we have been gathering data to support our efforts to have Government recognise the value of the Events Industry. Earlier this week we distributed another Survey Questionnaire seeking an update on how businesses are handling this unprecedented crisis. |
In April, we conducted the initial survey which provided some alarming statistics, which we now share:
· 75% had lost most of their work by the time the first restrictions came into effect on 15 March
· 90% saw at least 80% of their bookings cancelled in the first week of the COVID restrictions
· 50% lost 100% of their income through March and April
· 66% had closed their businesses by the end of March
· 38.5% expect to re-open at the same size
· 50% are not expecting to re-employ the same number of pre-COVID employees in the first 12 months.
The results of the June Survey will be published next week.
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
An industry working group was created to develop and refine proposed guidelines for implementation across all sectors of the event industry to support safe and responsible staging of events in the post COVID-19 environment. The Committee is Chaired by EIA Vice-President Hugh Singe with representatives from:
· WA Department of Health
· Event Health Management
· Brodes Consulting
· Caravan Industry Association WA
· Royal Agricultural Society WA
· City of Perth
· The Event Team
· Mellen Events
· Targa West Events
· Carnival Amusements
The group is considering the implications of the guidelines across, but not limited to the following sectors:
· Live entertainment
· Business events
· Mass Participation
· Sport
· Local Government
· Community
· Not-for-Profi
The group’s work has contributed greatly to the ongoing discussions with government about the challenges faced by the industry.
We would like to acknowledge the time and work of this group to date.
WA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The DOH has released a position statement regarding events, along with a COVID19 Guideline. Both documents can be found on their website.
Filed under “Local Government” and “Industry”. Enquiries can be directed to Jaala Downes or Crystal Kennett at WA Department of Health on 9222 2000
A NEW LEIF
This week Australia’s biggest Promoters of Entertainment and Sport, Venue Managers and Key Peak Bodies announced the formation of the Live Entertainment Industry Forum (LEIF).
LEIF’s mission is to support the safe reactivation of events with live audiences across Australia from July 2020 as restrictions are eased.
LEIF will put in place a comprehensive, flexible, all-of-industry re-opening and risk management strategy that meets the needs of the public, governments and performers and industry, with safety at its core.
Being pro-active, the SRG through the EIA has established a formal exchange of material with LEIF for our mutual benefit. Watch this space!
ONGOING RELATIONSHIPS
We have continued the exchange of information with the following kindred groups:
· Live Performance Australia
· Australian Mass Participating Sporting Events Alliance
· Exhibition & Events Australia Association
· WA Chamber of Arts & Culture
· NZ Events Association
· Business Visits and Events Partnership (UK)
· Coalition of Major Professional and Participating Sports
SOCIAL MEDIA
EIA Board Member, Graham Cole has undertaken the role of coordinating our Social Media activity, which has received the amazing Facebook results:
April May Variation
Posts 29 35 + 6
Followers 1350 1494 + 144
Posting Reach 25684 33603 + 7919
Post Engagements 2988 8388 + 5400
We are working with key parties on a Road Map to our Recovery
We trust this update has been informative and useful in keeping you abreast of the developments impacting the event industry.
For further information, please contact:
Ray Bird, EIA Executive Officer at admin@eia.com.au or 0437 204 679