Grassroots campaign launched to drive support of legislation for recovery of business events

i By July 27, 2020 No Comments

Go LIVE Together and the EIC‘s APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force are asking members of the business events industry to send an email letter to legislators requesting that the U.S. Congress back legislation vital to the recovery of business events from the impacts of COVID-19.

The grassroots campaign provides turnkey tools, including a letter and social media posts, to assist members of the industry with contacting their elected officials to ask for support of a temporary tax credit proposed by Go LIVE Together. The tax credit will work to defray the costs of participation in business events, especially for the 1.4 million small businesses that rely on this major sales and marketing channel. It is under construction for inclusion in the next phase of coronavirus response legislation currently begin negotiated by Congress, along with the extension and expansion of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other funding necessary to keep the industry afloat.

“A tax credit to incentivize attendee and exhibitor participation will be critical when the time is right for a return to live events,” said Bob Priest-Heck, CEO of Freeman and member of the Go LIVE Together Operating Committee. “We are asking our community to join us in amplifying this message to legislators because, by making our voices heard together, we can play a meaningful role in protecting and rebuilding the business events industry.”

EIC’s CEO Amy Calvert explained that EIC’s APEX Covid-19 Business Recovery Task Force was established to serve the industry at one of, if not the most, trying times in its history. “Our values are firmly rooted in the common belief that our industry drives economic growth, builds communities, educates and advocates in support of our global economy,” she said. “We all have a role to play to share the value of our industry and the way in which live events will contribute to our recovery. By offering our borderless solidarity and participation in these efforts, we honour our commitment to our global workforce of 26 million and to the future of our industry.”

A press release about the campaign points out that the MICE industry has developed and adopted consistent, voluntary health and safety standards in order to ensure the safety and comfort of all future participants. However, added incentives will be critical to encouraging participation when business events are able to reopen.

Small businesses make up 99 percent of this industry and employ 6.6 million people. These companies need business events to resume as quickly as it is safe to do so. More information about the campaign can be found HERE.