How long social distancing restrictions will keep people from going to a concert or theatre is unknown, as is audiences’ post-COVID-19 appetite for live events and entertainment. Five months with very little to absolutely no activity, from Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theatre to opera, dance, classical music, concerts, tradeshows, festivals…all of the places where the live events industry thrives; where entertainment design and technology are put to use. Experts predict that COVID-19 will cut US$12 billion out of the entertainment industry in the United States alone. From a health perspective alone, 774 people died from SARS worldwide during the 2003 SARS outbreak, while 33,673 people have died from COVID-19 as of March 31. We share your vision of expedient, equitable, and widespread vaccine distribution. We share your goal to get America back to work, school and in gathering places of all kinds quickly and safely. But with COVID-19, sports and entertainment are on the sidelines with us. Ryerson University provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA-FR. When leading through uncertain times, it is critical that managers avoid the urge to throw up their hands and act purely on instinct. David Guetta/United At Home New York The live music industry could lose nearly $9 billion in ticket sales after the coronavirus canceled most performances in … In a letter to President Biden on Tuesday, major live-entertainment organizations — AEG, Bandit Lites, Broadway League, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), Live Nation, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), Oak View Group (OVG), and We Make Events — formally offered their venues, staff, and expertise to the COVID-19 vaccination effort. Moving people in, out, and around a public gathering space swiftly and safely is the foundation of our industry. America’s live event and entertainment businesses came to a screeching halt this year when most states imposed restrictions on large gatherings because of COVID-19. No one really knows what the other side of this shutdown will look like. Pollstar, The Voice of Live Entertainment for over 38 years, provides the most up-to-date, relevant and useful data available for the global concert industry, delivering an … We represent businesses, workers and entertainers that make up the majority of the live event industry. Global entertainment giant Cirque du Soleil shut down 44 shows worldwide and will not reopen until January 2021. These include significant donations from Universal Music Group (UMG), Live Nation Entertainment, as well as streaming giants such as Spotify, Amazon Music, TIDAL, YouTube Music and countless others. Additionally, our familiarity using ticketing systems for advanced notification, timed entry and crowd management can greatly improve patient experience before and during vaccination as well as on-site management. Related topics: arts & entertainment new york city andrew cuomo entertainment coronavirus coronavirus pandemic theater sandy kenyon broadway covid 19 pandemic covid 19 Share: Share Event venues make ideal community vaccination sites: they are located in most urban, suburban and rural communities, often near transit lines and with easy access to parking. Its program is called NY PopsUp, a month-long series featuring 100 artists that begins Saturday, […] An estimated 95% of live events industry businesses and workers have lost nearly 100% of their revenue, and are ready and willing to get to work immediately. While we have been effectively shuttered by the pandemic, we have vast resources that, if fully utilized, could provide invaluable mechanisms in our country’s vaccine distribution. Please let us now go to work to protect public health. Two people walk by the Cirque du Soleil Big Top in Montréal’s Old Port on March 21, 2020. How COVID-19 has caused Serious Problems for the Entertainment Industry. The live industry is on its knees, with the whole entertainment industry in a state of flux! Instead, managers should systematically record knowledge and look for analogous situations to identify patterns that can inform strategic thinking in uncertain times. Pollstar: Live events industry lost $30B due to pandemic By MESFIN FEKADU December 11, 2020 NEW YORK (AP) — Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, concert trade publication Pollstar puts the total lost revenue for the live … The live events and entertainment industry has survived increased security measures after 9/11, weak demand from SARS and re-schedulings due to fire or weather, but it has never globally closed down. The coronavirus relief bill provides $15B for live entertainment industry Live music is an estimated $25.6 billion industry. In fact, many venues are already working on the State and Local level to implement vaccine programs. Here, a performer juggles flaming balls during the opening ceremony for the World Basketball Championship in August 2010 in Istanbul, Turkey. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, productions, cast, crew and other industry workers must abide by safety protocols agreed by labor and management, which may be further enhanced by county public health officers. The … While it may seem like an effective short-term response, failing to account for systemic implications could also exacerbate the negative impacts. Shedding too many employees, or the wrong employees, may impede the ability to resume operations when the crisis ends. There are several thousand companies in the live event industry which own the equipment and infrastructure required to build vaccination sites. The hearing will examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the live event entertainment industry and the challenges faced by artists and venues, as well as supporting industries such as lighting and transportation. It may be recession-resilient, but it is not shutdown-proof. The live events industry has essentially been shuttered since March 2020. For artists, industry professionals and anxious music fans, the concert business, like live sports, was among the first to be affected by COVID-19 and will be among the last to recover. In fact, many venues are already working on the State and Local level to implement vaccine programs.” said Wayne Forte, NITO executive committee member and president of Entourage Talent Associates. According to McKinsey’s recent COVID-19 report, this implies taking proportionate actions to account for the ambient uncertainty and ensuring sufficient financial liquidity to weather the storm. The most significant economic declines during SARS were tourism-related activities such as airlines, lodging and restaurants in a limited number of markets; Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, South Africa, Spain and the U.S. By comparison, more than 180 countries have confirmed cases of COVID-19. It is our duty, as businesses rooted in communities across the nation, to do our part to set America on a positive path during this time of crisis. Even more worryingly, as … The year-end federal relief. Chris Gibbs does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. AFP via Getty Images The global entertainment industry will take a $160 billion hit over the next five years as it slowly recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, according to … NEW YORK CITY (WABC) – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo revealed an ambitious plan in January to resume public performances in the state, with the aim of reviving a vital industry that has been decimated by the coronavirus pandemic . “These vaccines are our best chance at putting COVID-19 behind us, and our experiences organizing events and managing crowds now put us in the unique position of being the best prepared and most qualified industry to support the vaccination effort and get this country on the road to recovery.”, In fact, this plan was hinted at on Jan. 16 in a Tweet from Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino, in which he wrote, “If the live event industry was tasked with vaccination distribution we would have it done in a weekend, sold t-shirts and beer and a meet and greet with Fauci.”, In an official statement Tuesday, he said, “It’s human nature to come together in good times and bad, and our industry is committed to doing everything in our power to bring people together again – not just for events, but for every aspect of community that we have been missing. Our industry has thousands of venues throughout America that are under mandated closures and sitting empty. As such, more cancellations, wage cuts, consolidations and massive layoffs from live events and entertainment companies are to be expected in the coming weeks. Until the industry can turn the lights back on, companies should follow strict crisis response strategies. © Copyright 2021 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. While we have been effectively shuttered by the pandemic, we have vast resources that, if fully utilized, could provide invaluable mechanisms in our country’s vaccine distribution. Experts predict that COVID-19 will cut US$12 billion out of the entertainment industry in the United States alone. They should also consider reaching out to suppliers, clients and even competitors to pool resources, share best practices and maintain relationships. The Covid-19 pandemic has rocked the entertainment industry, causing the cancellation of major events and leaving the future of others in doubt. Lessons from crisis response and management suggest that using techniques like scenario planning or “table topping,” where stakeholders can imagine or project potential future outcomes, are important. Yet analogous situations to COVID-19 are difficult to find, and knowing what accounts of the impact of SARS to rely on is not necessarily clear. Ryerson University provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation CA. The hearing will also examine proposals for legislative relief, unemployment compensation, and healthcare subsidies. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. Such exercises may involve mapping issues, discussing implications and developing strategies. As noted by the announcement, the live event industry is in a unique position to help: the pandemic has fully shuttered operations, leaving venues empty and the furloughed crowd-management oriented staff who operate them eager to help out and get back to work. After all, entire segments of the industry - in particular, movie theaters, live and out-of-home experiential entertainment - have shuttered. The interiors are wide and clear, with bright work lights and empty standard refrigeration systems. Both creative companies and performers themselves have reached out to audiences. Major spring movies like "A Quiet Place Part II" and "No Time to Die" are being delayed. “Live events is one of the best prepared, best equipped, most experienced industries in America to manage and control large crowds in a rapid, organized fashion. bill promises enough money to keep America's live-music business from going under, venue owners say. Two local giants, Live Nation and AEG, dominate the touring industry. In fact because we are shuttered, we are able to offer the full weight of our industry to support vaccine distribution beginning immediately. As a result, they are now left coping with the immediate impact of not having “bums in seats” to pay for their operations’ fixed and sunk costs. If public safety is still at risk in the summer, global concert promoters like Evenko, AEG or Live Nation will be at risk of losing the important summer concert season. The coronavirus pandemic is proving to be the most devastating challenge ever to face the live music industry and the creative community as a whole. Medical scholars suggest media coverage about the impact of SARS was “excessive, sometimes inaccurate and sensationalist.”. “Our industry owns, leases and/or has access to thousands of venues throughout America, most that are under mandated closures and sitting empty. In addition, a common response to crisis is to maintain customer engagements so that they return when the conditions allow. In a letter to President Biden on Tuesday, major live-entertainment … COVID-19’s impacts on society are unprecedented and nobody can say precisely when we will return to normal public life. Due to the nature of our business, our buildings and workforce are accustomed to patron queuing and crowd management. Live Nation has venues across the country that are capable of managing critical onsite elements of the vaccine rollout and we are eager to pitch in and be part of the solution.”. Some health professionals later considered SARS to be a “dry run” for a greater global pandemic. Those who care about an organization’s mandate and vision can explore prospects for slow or fast recovery, weak or strong demand, local or global re-openings. The author of an article in Harvard Business Review about management in uncertain times also suggests taking pragmatic actions and cultivating emotional steadiness in order to support employees and make them feel better than doing nothing. “We all stand united now, ready to assist in the safe, rapid delivery of the vaccine from a people moving perspective.”, “We are here to help. However, even when laying off people to preserve capital, managers should proceed with caution and identify the key creative assets that must be salvaged. Los Angeles-based Theatre Unleashed started performing cast readings through Zoom, while the Centre for Puppetry Arts, based in Atlanta, has taken steps to ramp up its online programming. Our interiors are clear span with bright work lights and empty standard refrigeration systems. Artists like Neil Young and Keith Urban recently hosted impromptu performances through platforms like Instagram, and are actively staying in touch with their fans. Copyright © 2010–2021, The Conversation US, Inc. Cirque du Soleil has shut down 44 worldwide shows. In response to public health directives, live event and entertainment companies have focused on public safety, protecting employees and flattening the curve. In fact, Twitch Replaces Live Metallica Audio With Hilarious Folk Music to Avoid Copyright Violation, Music Industry Moves: PARTYNEXTDOOR Collabs With Black Music Action Coalition; EMPIRE Opens West Asia-North Africa Division, The Fat Boys’ Prince Markie Dee Dies at 52, Sidney Poitier: A Living Legend Who Changed Hollywood, Time’s Up Condemns Brett Ratner’s Return: ‘There Should Be No Comeback’, ‘Saturday Night Live’ Parodies Apology Culture with Chloe Fineman as Britney Spears, Aidy Bryant as Ted Cruz, ITV Discussing Piers Morgan’s Conduct After Spat With U.K. Industry Campaigner, 2021 Oscars Predictions: All Awards Categories. Write an article and join a growing community of more than 121,600 academics and researchers from 3,910 institutions. These organizations can design, deliver, and manage the infrastructure as well as the people needed to staff them. “The entire live event industry has stood still since March, 2020.” says Bandit Lites Chair Michael T. Strickland. We stand ready to work with Federal and State governments to save lives and get America back to work and school. 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That means companies ought to take this time to think and collaborate with their key people. Oscars Predictions: Best Picture – Is ‘Nomadland’ Still the Academy Frontrunner or Is Netflix Closing In? Additionally, the inherent use of ticketing systems for advanced notification, timed entry, and crowd management in live events lends itself directly to managing this type of process. We are ready to meet to discuss how we can help as soon as you and your staff are able.”. NEW YORK - Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, concert trade publication Pollstar puts the total lost revenue for the live events industry in 2020 at more than $30 billion.. Pollstar on Friday released its year-end report, explaining that the live events industry should have hit a record-setting $12.2 billion this year, but instead it incurred $9.7 billion in losses. “Since the pandemic shuttered our industry almost a year ago, our buildings and our co-workers have been paused, unutilized, and struggling” said Dayna Frank, owner & CEO, First Avenue Productions and Board President of NIVA. Congratulations to you and Vice President Harris on an inauguration signifying the unity and hope necessary to move America forward. Event venues make ideal community vaccination sites.”. Louis-Etienne Dubois' Future of Live Entertainment lab (FOL!E) receives funding from Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. Concerts May Never Be The Same, But Virtual Entertainment Is Thriving Artists and industry insiders share how the coronavirus pandemic has forced the live entertainment industry to get creative to sustain fans and venues. That means the global economy is entering a stage of unparalleled ambiguity. “We are here to help. “We have been closed for nearly one full year to protect public health. Read Next: Country Radio Seminar Study Sees DSPs Encroaching on Beloved FM Format During Quarantine, on Tuesday, major live-entertainment organizations —, We represent businesses, workers and entertainers that make up the majority of the live event industry. The industry has rallied around its community with several funding efforts available to people whose incomes have been affected by coronavirus. Music, TV, and film production may resume, subject to approval by county public health officers. As the world awaits the end of social distancing measures, live event and entertainment companies have no choice but to pause and look forward — anything but just throwing their hands up. Cirque du Soleil has shut down 44 shows worldwide. Live events and entertainment are people-based businesses that rely on the creation of emotional experiences and human interactions. As you set about achieving the ambitious goal of vaccinating 100 million Americans in 100 days, we wish to offer the full support and resources of the live event industry. US$12 billion out of the entertainment industry, Cirque du Soleil shut down 44 shows worldwide, losing the important summer concert season, excessive, sometimes inaccurate and sensationalist, Centre for Puppetry Arts, based in Atlanta, stakeholders can imagine or project potential future outcomes. What is the future? They should be able to weather the impact of coronavirus, but others may not be so fortunate. This is even more critical now knowing that companies are likely to relaunch all at the same time and engage in a costly battle for audiences’ limited attention. Employees should be encouraged to keep their companies’ name out there by connecting with customers in surprising and unexpected ways. As noted in the announcement, venues are specifically designed for queuing and crowd control, and are located in most urban, suburban, and rural communities – often near transit lines or with easy access to parking. But life changed drastically for Brandt and much of the entertainment industry in March, when work ground to a halt as the coronavirus swept across the country. Chair, School of Creative Industries, Faculty of Communication and Design, Ryerson University, Assistant Professor, School of Creative Industries, Faculty of Communication and Design, Ryerson University. … But this year, the concert industry … During times of uncertainty, managers often juggle an infinite number of issues, multiple stakeholder needs and an unpredictable range of outcomes.