EACA News
It’s Time to Sign Up for the 27th Annual RSMGC. The Atlanta Randy is back this year on September 27 at Berkeley Hills Country Club to support our friends and families in the exhibition industry who have suffered severe tragedies or face insurmountable medical expenses. Now more than ever we are looking forward to getting our community back together in support of this great cause.
If you know of someone from our industry in need please let them know of the Randy and submit an Assistance Application on their behalf.
Meanwhile please let everyone know that Registration to sign up to golf or sponsor is now open.
EAC Registration Show Schedule EACA has been supporting major trade show organizers and associations for the past 20 plus years for the vetting and credentialing of EACs that require access to the showfloor to service their clients. Here is a short list of upcoming shows that we will be servicing.
- Enterprise Connect Sept. 27-29 Gaylord Palms Orlando
- Pack Expo Las Vegas Sept. 27-29 Las Vegas CC Las Vegas
- IWCE Sept. 29-30 Las Vegas CC Las Vegas
EACA Member News
San Francisco Mandates Proof of Vaccine for Indoor Venues <Meeting News> In response to rising cases and an increasing presence of the highly contagious Delta variant, San Francisco will require proof of vaccination for all large indoor events and for certain indoor businesses. Effective Aug. 20, attendees of public and private indoor events with 1,000 people or more must show proof of full vaccination prior to entry. There will be a limited exception for events happening before Sept. 15, with tickets sold prior to Aug. 12. These gatherings can accept proof of a negative Covid-19 test result in place of full vaccination.
Proof of vaccination will also be required at San Francisco bars, restaurants, clubs and gyms, starting Aug. 20. The requirement will go into effect for staff members of such venues on Oct. 13.
EACA/EDPA Send Joint Letter to Congress Seeking Relief EACA and EDPA are calling on their members for help in contacting congressional offices. EACA and EDPA recently sent a joint letter to Congress urging the expansion of Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program. They also got the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, the National Trade Show Alliance, the Painters Union and the Carpenters Union to sign on to the letter.
EACA and EDPA ask members to send emails to their senators with the copy below and the joint letter attached. The joint letter can be found here. Find your representative’s contact info here.
SBA to Handle PPP Loan Forgiveness The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is launching a streamlined application portal to allow borrowers with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans $150,000 or less through participating lenders to apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA.
“The SBA’s new streamlined application portal will simplify forgiveness for millions of our smallest businesses — including many sole proprietors — who used funds from our Paycheck Protection Program loans to survive the pandemic,” said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “The vast majority of businesses waiting for forgiveness have loans under $150,000. These entrepreneurs are busy running their businesses and are challenged by an overly complicated forgiveness process. We need to deliver forgiveness more efficiently so they can get back to enlivening our Main Streets, sustaining our neighborhoods and fueling our nation’s economy.”
Employco Advisory. Did you miss Employco’s most recent webinar on “Workplace Changes After COVID-19” or would you like to review a portion? The full webinar recording can be viewed here, along with all of the questions and answers that followed: WEBINAR: Recording
You can view/download the slides we used during the presentation as a PDF on our website: WEBINAR: Presentation Slides
Industry News
NY Now Re-Opens Javits Convention Center <Trade Show Executive> NY NOW, the modern wholesale market for retailers and specialty buyers, was the first major event to run at the reopened Javits Center. The gathering was held in accordance with capacity and safety protocols established by the New York State Department of Health.
“NY NOW has always been one of the most successful biannual events at the Javits Center, and we are thrilled it returns as our first major event since the pandemic,” Alan Steel, President and CEO of the Javits Center, said.
Jim Nicoll Passes Away < Exhibit City News> James Cowan Nicoll, 81, chairman of the board at Sho-Air International, passed away on June 15. Known as the “Miracle Man” by the cardiologists at Hoag Hospital, he succumbed to his battle with cancer and his weakened heart.
Jim built a wonderful career in the moving and storage industry, winning top salesman awards in multiple years and topping industry performance. As a visionary, Jim saw the opportunity to elevate the service he provided from the land to the air which inspired his formation of SHO-AIR International, one of the industry’s premier tradeshow transportation specialists.
Small Businesses that Support Venues Still Facing Pandemic Challenges <BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (FOX 9)> The pandemic forced the curtains to close on millions of live concerts and shows across the U.S. and while they’re slowly coming back, many businesses that support those venues are still hurting.
The federal government offered PPP loans and other financial assistance, but many small businesses that depend on the live event industry didn’t qualify for anything. They are now pleading for help before they lose everything.
Star in Brooklyn Park depends on trade shows, building signs and displays to help market various companies. But when the pandemic hit, trade shows disappeared and so did about half their business. Other, though, have lost everything.
“In our industry, we are losing three to five small businesses every week,” said Star CEO Mark Johnson. “We don’t expect a full comeback until Q1 or Q2 of next year. Unfortunately, I’ve had two business owners that I know commit suicide.”
Roger Dow to Step Down from US Travel Assn. <Meeting News> Roger Dow, who as CEO of U.S. Travel oversaw the conversion of a tepid industry association into a lobbying powerhouse, announced he will be stepping down in July 2022.
Dow will be remembered for wrangling a fractious group of travel sectors with competing interests — hotels, cruise lines, destinations, airlines, airports, theme parks, tour operators, rental car companies, payment systems, intermediaries — into a unified organization that put aside their differences to line up behind the common goal of increasing travel to and within the United States.