Several live music production companies and organizations including the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), Live Nation, AEG, Bandit Lites, the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) and the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Tuesday. The letter offered the industry’s support for the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
“There are several thousand companies in the live event industry which own the equipment and infrastructure required to build vaccination sites. These organizations can design, deliver, and manage the infrastructure as well as the people needed to staff them,” wrote the groups to President Biden. “The live events industry is one of the best prepared, best equipped, and most experienced industries in America to manage and control large crowds in a rapid, organized fashion.”
“We are here to help. In fact, many venues are already working on the State and Local level to implement vaccine programs,” the letter noted. “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.”
“Since the pandemic shuttered our industry almost a year ago, our buildings and our co-workers have been paused, unutilized, and struggling” stated Dayna Frank, owner & CEO, First Avenue Productions and Board President of NIVA. “These vaccines are our best chance at putting COVID-19 behind us, and our experiences organizing events and managing crowds now put us in the unique position of being the best prepared and most qualified industry to support the vaccination effort and get this country on the road to recovery.”
Head here for full text of the letter sent to President Biden.
[Hat Tip – Pitchfork]
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