By R.V. Baugus

IAVM President and CEO Brad Mayne, CVE, took part in a panel at the Events Industry Council’s EIC Advance virtual event that ran from November 18-20. The focus was on advocacy and advancing the event industry, which will be a major catalyst to global economic recovery.

The EIC’s Smart Meetings included Mayne along with Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC, and Sue Sung, senior vice president of corporate strategy with Freeman Company, as they discussed the urgency of getting relief quickly while remaining vigilant after the crisis eventually ends by continuing to tell the impact meeting story.

To see the full article, click here.

By Mabel Hung

Following a series of well attended physical trade and consumer exhibitions in October, another four trade fairs were held successfully at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) during 11-13 November 2020.

They were Restaurant & Bar Hong Kong X Gourmet Asia 2020, Natural & Organic Asia 2020, Build4Asia 2020, and Retail Asia Conference and Expo 2020 organised by Informa Markets, attracting hundreds of exhibitors, and thousands of local trade buyers from food & hospitality, health & wellness, retail, and innovative building technology sectors.

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML) has worked closely with the organiser, Informa Markets, to reschedule the four exhibitions impacted by the pandemic and to implement stringent and effective preventive measures to enable face-to-face networking and deal-making opportunities for participants.

Monica Lee-Müller, HML’s Managing Director, is excited about the long-awaited reboot of trade fairs at the HKCEC. “We highly appreciate organisers’ support and confidence in the HML team to open the many trade fairs at the HKCEC even without the participation of overseas exhibitors and buyers under the travel restriction,” she said. “HML is committed to provide our world class services, to create and recreate events, being flexible in scheduling and offering event organisers and attendees a safe, hygienic and comfortable environment to make connection and conduct business. We are excited to see the launch of the bilateral Air Travel Bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong on 22 November, and we hope it will soon be extended to cover Mainland China and other countries to restart the Hong Kong exhibition industry.“

Some 25 exhibitions and other corporate events and banquets have been confirmed at the HKCEC from October to December 2020. With the Hong Kong Government’s Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme, which has just been extended until end of 2021, more exhibitions and international conferences are expected in the coming months.

Mabel Hung is Director – Communications & Sustainability, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

By R.V. Baugus

We have noted before in IAVM News as well as a Venue Professional magazine article by Eden Park’s Nick Sautner about how Australia has opened and welcomed attendance to sporting events. Now, Suncorp Stadium is Brisbane drew an audience of 49,155 for a State of Origin rugby finals match between New South Wales and Queensland, in the process earning the largest attendance in any world sport since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.

The attendance fell slightly short of Suncorp Stadium’s 52,500 capacity but was enough to eclipse the 46,000 figure that was posted for last month’s Bledisloe Cup rugby union match between New Zealand and Australia at Auckland’s Eden Park.

The first two games were played at Adelaide Oval and Sydney’s ANZ Stadium, which both operated at reduced capacities – 24,218 and 36,212, respectively – in line with COVID-19 restrictions. The third and final contest was won by Queensland, 2014.

The attendance mark was made possible when Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced recently that open-air stadiums with a COVID Safe Plan would be able to operate at full capacity, setting the stage for Suncorp Stadium to welcome almost 50,000 fans for the State of Origin decider.

Precautions were still taken with the grounds to ensure the safety of all fans. Masks were worn unless seated and fans remains within an allocated zone shown on the ticket. Cashless payments only were also in use for food, beverages and merchandise.

The announcement by the Premier will allow all ticketed seated venues across Queensland to raise their capacity from 50 per cent to 100 per cent. Outdoor events can increase attendance from 1,000 to 1,500 with a COVID Safe Event Checklist, with larger events requiring a COVID Safe Plan.

Emily Jensen is a Marketing Coordinator at Tacoma Venues & Events, which oversees the Tacoma Dome and Greater Tacoma Convention Center, where her primary focus is social media and fan engagement. After nearly five years working in PR and marketing for live events, Emily knows how to foster a positive relationship with fans and communities – and it isn’t mastering the art of emojis on Facebook. Outside the office, Emily has entered the world of stand-up comedy to hone her communication, leadership, and writing skills; serves as Vice President of Public Relations for her local Toastmasters chapter; and somehow still finds time to volunteer with the cats at the local humane society.

Join your Foundation in congratulating Emily on being honored as one of the 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2020 and don’t forget to come back each Thursday as we spotlight another honoree!

IAVM is launching a new advocacy media campaign for ALL of our venue members.  As we move into the holiday season we want our venues, performers, guests, and the elected officials who represent us to talk about the live events they will miss most this holiday season.  An “our favorite things” campaign will highlight the loss of joy these many holiday events bring to our communities, performers and guests alike.   Elected officials at both the state and federal level need to understand how important local venues are to the communities they serve. 

Earned media –  via stories reported in local TV news and newspapers, letters to the editor and opeds, are the most impactful way to get the attention of lawmakers.  We challenge every venue to work with your local media, chambers of commerce, local elected officials (mayors, city managers, etc) and even your guests on this campaign.

The social media component is important as well. If we work together, we can successfully highlight the fact that closed venues need federal and state assistance.  Congress needs to act now. 

Sample social media messages for IAVM members:

Some of our favorite things about the holidays – live events and our guests.  Congress, we need your help now so we can bring back live events, including our most cherished holiday events in 2021. 

What we will miss most – our annual production of the Nutcracker.  Congress we need your help to bring it back for 2021.

What we miss most this holiday – our annual Disney on Ice show.  Congress, help us so we can bring back live events in 2021.

This holiday season won’t be the same without our annual production of the Christmas Carol.  Congress, don’t be a Scrooge, help us bring back our holiday tradition in 2021.

While no jingle bells will be playing or choirs singing, our Christmas spirit remains  – Congress, feel the Christmas Spirit and help bring back our Christmas traditions in 2021

Missing our annual (name of fundraisers) that brings some much joy to (recipients of fundraisers) – Congress help us bring back our annual (name) for the holidays in 2021.

We’re thankful for our guests and live events.  We miss both.  Congress, please pass COVID relief now so that we can remain afloat during this difficult time and safely re-open when appropriate.  #SaveLiveEvents #CongressActNow

Social media messages for local officials:

This Thanksgiving we are grateful for all that XXXX (fill in the venue) does for our community even during a pandemic.  We need you back, hosting live events again.  Congress pass COVID-19 relief for live events and venues. #SaveLiveEvents  #CongressActNow

We are missing live events this holiday season and can’t wait until the XXXX (fill in the venue) reopens at capacity.  In the meantime, they need the help of Congress.  Pass COVID-19 relief now. #SaveLiveEvents #CongressActNow

You can find the email contact information and Twitter handles for your Senators and U.S. Representatives congressional members in the IAVM toolkit.