Christopher BarrettA coalition of leading live entertainment operators in the US have written an open letter to president Joe Biden offering him the “full support and resources of the live events industry” to help him reach his goal of vaccinating 100 million people during his first 100 days in office.
The letter, signed by organisations including AEG Presents, Live Nation, Oak View Group Facilities and trade groups including International Association of Venue Managers and We Make Events said: “Live events is one of the best prepared, best equipped, most experienced industries in America to manage and control large crowds in a rapid, organised fashion.”
It also emphasised the fact that the US has an array of unused venues that could be easily repurposed as vaccination centres: “Our industry has thousands of venues throughout America that are under mandated closures and sitting empty. Event venues make ideal community vaccination sites: they are located in urban, suburban and rural communities, often near transit lines and with easy access to parking. Our interiors are clear with bright work lights and empty standard refrigeration systems.”
It also outlined the industry’s experience of developing ticketing systems for advanced notifications, timed entry and crowd management that [could] “greatly improve patient experience before and during vaccinations as well as on-site management.”
The letter also pointed out that there are several thousand companies in the live event industry which own the equipment and infrastructure required to build vaccination sites.
Biden has said he expects the vaccination push to reach 1.5 million people per day in the US in the near future.
The letter in full:
Dear Mr. President,
Congratulations to you and Vice President Harris on an inauguration signifying the unity and hope necessary to move America forward. 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. We share your vision of expedient, equitable, and widespread vaccine distribution. 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. We stand ready to work with Federal and State governments to save lives and get America back to work and school.
We represent businesses, workers and entertainers that make up the majority of the live event industry. 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. In fact because we are shuttered, we are able to offer the full weight of our industry to support vaccine distribution beginning immediately.
We are here to help. In fact, many venues are already working on the State and Local level to implement vaccine programs. Our industry has thousands of venues throughout America that are under mandated closures and sitting empty. 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. Our interiors are clear span with bright work lights and empty standard refrigeration systems. Due to the nature of our business, our buildings and workforce are accustomed to patron queuing and crowd management.
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. Moving people in, out, and around a public gathering space swiftly and safely is the foundation of our industry. 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. There are several thousand companies in the live event industry which own the equipment and infrastructure required to build vaccination sites. 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. These organizations can design, deliver, and manage the infrastructure as well as the people needed to staff them.
We have been closed for nearly one full year to protect public health. Please let us now go to work to protect public health. We share your goal to get America back to work, school and in gathering places of all kinds quickly and safely. We are ready to meet to discuss how we can help as soon as you and your staff are able.”
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. The interiors are wide and clear, with bright work lights and empty standard refrigeration systems. 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.
“The entire live event industry has stood still since March, 2020.” says Bandit Lites Chair Michael T. Strickland. “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. 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. “Our industry owns, leases and/or has access to thousands of venues throughout America, most that are under mandated closures and sitting empty. Event venues make ideal community vaccination sites.”