Events are evolving day by day and sometimes minute by minute. Use this page to receive the latest information on IAEE Advocacy Actions in dealing with the United States Federal government regarding the impact of COVID-19.
IAEE has been at the forefront, working to defend and protect our member businesses, their work forces, the ecosystem of our supply chain, as well as the entire exhibitions and events industry. Acting in conjunction with our numerous advocacy coalition partnerships, IAEE is a consistent and steady voice for B2B exhibitions and events. Working the phones during near-daily calls and virtual meetings ensuring that your concerns are part of the conversation when it comes to all the stimulus packages working its way through Congress.
IAEE signed on to a letter on April 27, 2020 to request financial assistance needed for public entertainment and event industry recovery. – read the pdf here.
Update on the CARES Act: The Senate passed legislation that will add approximately $484 billion to stimulus funding available under the CARES Act, including $310 billion in additional funds for the Payroll Protection Program and $75 billion for hospitals and health care providers. While the outcome is not certain, the House plans to vote on the measure this Thursday.
Opening Up American Again: President Trump recently unveiled a three-phase approach with criteria to help state and local officials when “reopening their economies, getting people back to work, and continuing to protect American lives.” The approach includes broad guidelines related to large venues, business travel and face-to-face interaction. Northstar reports:
A handful of governors have already announced plans to ease physical distancing, even with the phases and with the CDC director warning today that a second wave of coronavirus could to be more devastating than the current one. As of now, experts agree that despite the actions taken by elected officials now, Americans will likely approach travel slowly and cautiously when physical distancing lifts.
Trump Calls on CEOs: More than 200 executives, including leaders across the meetings and travel industry, are being tapped by the White House to shape the nation’s long-term economic reboot. Roger Dow is among the experts participating in the White House’s recovery task force and said, “This task force presents the perfect opportunity to continue our productive conversations with senior government officials and ensure all segments of our industry have their voices heard. We will all have a seat at the table.”
FEMA releases COVID-19 Advisory: Whole-Of-Government Response to COVID-19 Pandemic – read the pdf here.
Today the United State House of Representatives, passed by voice vote, the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package known as the CARES Act (H.R. 748). This act was passed by the Senate earlier in the week and now goes to President Trump for his signature and final enactment.
National Governors Association – State-By-State Summary Of Public Health Criteria In Reopening Plans
National Safety Council: Return-To-Work Guidelines for Public Operations
U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Global Dashboard on COVID-19 Government Policies
The CARES Act: A Guide to the Resources for Nonprofit Organizations – by Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC
The CARES Act provides real and immediate assistance for the workforce and businesses of all sizes across our industry and supply chain.
Once final enactment is in place, regulatory agencies will have to issue regulations to make the benefits available. IAEE will work to connect members with resources as soon as they become available.
Specific help is included below:
Existing SBA Loans:
Eligibility: For small business or franchises with 500 employees or less, including but not limited to; meeting and event services, hotels, attractions, restaurants, wineries, and more.
SBA Disaster Loans:
Eligibility: Broadest eligibility, including private nonprofits, DMOs organized as 501(c)(6) or 501(c)(3) organizations, along with small businesses including but not limited to; meeting and event services, hotels, attractions, restaurants, wineries, and more.
Provides $10 billion for the SBA to provide economic injury disaster loans to small businesses, private nonprofits (including 501(c)(6) organizations), small agricultural cooperatives, self-employed individuals, and any business that employs less than 500 employees until December 31, 2020.
SBA Interruption Loans:
Eligibility: For any small business, and any DMO organized as a 501(c)(3) organization that doesn’t receive an SBA Disaster Loan, with certain exceptions.
SBA Express Loans:
Eligibility: For any small business.
ECONOMIC STABILIZATION ASSISTANCE
Eligibility: For any impacted business of any size. Also includes eligibility for States, territories, municipalities, subdivisions of a State, or instrumentalities thereof (including DMOs organized as an instrument of government, DMO’s classified as 501(c)(6).
BUSINESS TAX RELIEF
Eligibility: For any business of any size, or DMO organized as a 501(c)(6) or 501(c)(3) organization, as applicable.
AIRPORT AND TOURISM GRANTS
Eligibility: For any airport, State, territory, municipality, subdivision of a State, or instrumentality thereof.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ASSISTANCE
Eligibility: For any worker of an affected employer, including private businesses, and DMOs, as applicable.
March 19, 2020 – Call to Action Alert to engage directly with your Members of Congress. Working with a large network of organizations affiliated with the Power of Travel Coalition, IAEE shared an online mechanism to connect with Congress and express your vital concerns. There was also a call to write a Letter to the Editor for your local newspaper.
Here is the link to this Action Alert.
IAEE signed on to a letter to the Administration, led by US Travel Association in March.
IAEE signed on to a letter on March 20, 2020 to the members of Congress Sen. McConnell, Sen. Schumer and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, led by the Events Industry Council Coalition.
March 22 & 23, 2020 – Call to Action Alert, Write Congress Today. Two direct email requests to have the exhibitions and events industry take action by writing to the policymakers negotiating the 3rd coronavirus stimulus package including the Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and their key staff members. (Do we have a link)
March 26, 2020 – U.S. Government Phase 3 Stimulus Update. An email recap of where the 3rd coronavirus stimulus package called the CARES Act is in the legislative process.