“Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.”
~ Maori Proverb
Friends,
As we enter this first week of summer, I’m reminded of this quote and the importance of looking toward the sunshine (and the future). Although we’re facing new challenges as COVID-19 cases are spiking in some areas of the country, the Go LIVE Together team has used this week to strengthen the foundation on which our advocacy and communications efforts will be built over the coming months.
For instance, in preparation for the July session of Congress, our lobbyists are meeting now with legislators to educate them on the extensive impact events have on our economy and prioritize what’s most important for the recovery of the live events industry.
Our top asks are incentives in the form of tax credits to encourage attendee and exhibitor participation and legislation that includes pandemic risk coverage in event cancellation insurance. We’re already seeing progress, with the proposed RESTART Program, Clean Start Back to Work Tax Credit, and PRIA (Pandemic Risk Insurance Act).
In addition to the meetings we’ve had to prep our lobbying firm in advance of the July session, we’ve had several strategic conversations with other industry groups that have similar missions, including the U.S Travel Association and Live Events Coalition. Our discussions have focused on efforts that can be coordinated as a way to maximize budgets and extend our reach as widely as possible.
Finally, we are expanding our communications efforts, and over the upcoming weeks, we’ll have tools for you and members of our community to become involved in supporting advocacy from a grassroots level.
Stay safe and stay strong,
Sue Sung | Freeman
#GoLIVETogether