Local Live Event Industry to Illuminate Venues Red in Recognition of RESTART Act
Oklahoma’s most notable names in live events are raising awareness around stalled legislation to support the hard-hit events and entertainment industry on Sept 1.
Multiple companies including Toucan Productions, Edge Productions, Cory’s Audio Visual, CNS Productions, factor 110, Epic Events, Baker Boys, and more will join together on Tuesday, September 1 to draw attention to venues across the city using lights, lasers, LED technology, projection, and more as a part of the Red Alert Restart campaign happening across the country.
Some of the participating venues and iconic structures include the Oklahoma City Civic Center, Oklahoma Contemporary, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Myriad Garden’s Crystal Bridge, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and Embassy Suites Downtown OKC/Medical Center. The Red Alert Restart campaign focuses on urging Congress to pass an economic relief package for the struggling live events and entertainment industry. Nationwide, more than 1,500 venues in 35 cities will be illuminated red.
Photo, video, and interview opportunities are available on Tuesday, September 1 during installation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Live remotes are available for 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:00p.m. and 10:00 p.m. broadcasts. All Illuminations will begin at 9:00 p.m. and will end at midnight.
“Helping the live events and entertainment industry should really be of interest to all Oklahomans,” said Brad Poarch, CEO of Cory’s Audio Visual. “Nationwide, there are more than 12 million people employed by the industry and nearly a trillion dollar economic impact, making up more than six percent of our nation’s overall gross domestic product.”
The impact of COVID-19 on the industry stems far beyond event venues, production companies, and event planners. Catering staff, decorators, riggers, stage laborers, entertainers, and even businesses located near event venues also have fallen victim to substantial financial and employment loss. In fact, more than 96 percent of live event companies have been forced to cut their staff leaving 77 percent of people in the industry without any household income. Oklahoma businesses are no exception to these statistics.
With the cancellation of concerts, corporate events, tradeshows, weddings, and festivals, it is unclear what the live events industry will look like when the dust settles from COVID-19. Companies are hoping enough people will reach out to their member of Congress to vote on behalf of the Restart Act which will help the events industry simply survive.
“The events industry is truly fighting for its life,” said Brian Ferrell, president of 110 events and factor 110. “While many of us are working to pivot our services, the truth is that most of us have made some of the toughest decisions of our careers to help keep our businesses afloat. Our industry was one of the first to completely and abruptly shut down and unfortunately will be one of the last to return to operations.”
These companies are asking the public to reach out to their member of Congress and help spread awareness for the upcoming Restart Act.