Revenue / 10.14.20

10-Point Plan Announced to Salvage Neglected German Events Industry

Access Staff

Pollstar (10/08/20) Gottfried, Gideon

Two politicians in Germany's green party have co-signed a 10-point plan for saving the country's event sector, which is ailing from the COVID-19 pandemic. Signatories Robert Habeck and Erhard Grundl conceded that the financial aid packages currently offered by the ruling German parties are inadequate for helping the event industry and its individual players. Many individuals working in live do not qualify for aid, as they cannot name a reopening date or plan future events to mark the restart. The lawmakers added that interim aid programs introduced by culture minister Monika Grütters are "too bureaucratic and demanding." An unnamed German promoter said politicians have been paralyzed into inaction, out of fear that a decision made now could be interpreted as wrong in the aftermath. The green party's plan addresses most of the issues individual live professionals and industry associations have been raising in recent months, including a dearth of security planning, insufficient funds and an adjustment of funding programs to better address the needs of the live event business. Among the plan's points is an interim financial aid program granting all endangered companies a monthly subsidy of 2% of last year's turnover; a blanket basic income of €1,200 ($1,400) for individual self-employed professionals, becoming effective retroactively and country-wide; a protective financial shield ensuring compensation for losses incurred from events that need to be cancelled in the future, without bureaucratic hurdles; and support for scientific research into infection safeguards at live events.

Read the full story from Pollstar. 

Tags: News , Leadership , COVID-19 , Coronavirus