The current situation in the events industry is bleak, as there is little hope that anything resembling normality will return anytime soon. Politicians, even in their current discussions about potentially reopening certain sectors, are providing no guidance on how the hospitality, hotel, and events industries will fare, or whether any reopening measures are being considered for these sectors. This is more than just sad; it will force many businesses, companies, family-run enterprises, and freelancers to close down.

One study offers some hope...

A few weeks ago, the online portal Eventbooking24.com surveyed approximately 300 people from the event industry about their current situation. Various questions were asked about how they are coping with the pandemic, and some of the figures are quite alarming and also indicative of the fact that those of us working in these industries are among those hardest hit by the pandemic.

A full 64% of those surveyed reported a revenue decline of 76-100% since the start of the pandemic, perfectly reflecting the adage "first out, last in." Furthermore, 43% of respondents indicated they have significant fears for their livelihoods, which is entirely understandable, as not everything can be done online, and many sectors rely on live audiences and the interaction that comes with them.

The results regarding the question of what the biggest problem or challenge will be in the future are also interesting. Here, 30% indicated that customers will be anxious and hesitant, and a full 49% see the limited predictability of future events as one of the biggest challenges. When asked how they rated the support and aid from the federal and state governments, 69% of respondents rated it as poor or even very poor. This is due to the slow disbursements and the constantly changing guidelines, which often appear retroactively, causing uncertainty and even deterring many from applying for any assistance. It simply has to be said that while the aid is well-intentioned, its implementation is a complete mess and makes the already difficult situation even worse for many.

However, there is also a positive takeaway from the study/survey: 94% of respondents will remain in business during and after the pandemic and continue their work in the event industry. I find this a very positive sign in these times, and it gives me hope that while we will likely see many closures afterward, I believe that this will ultimately lead to an increase in quality due to the natural correction curve, and we will be able to enjoy fantastic and unique events.

The voices from the event industry are also impressive, reflecting the mood very well – well worth reading...