What is the Day of Visibility for the Live Event Community about?
The effect of shutting down a $100 billion industry in Canada has had previously unimaginable impacts on both companies and individuals. Already, the vast majority of live event workers have been out of work or on government support since March 2020, with limited return to work due in spite of vaccinations.
The arts, entertainment and recreation sector lost 152,000 of 486,100 jobs between June 2019 and June 2020, and 86% of businesses experienced a high level of impact due to the decrease in demand or cancellation of services. Those that are still employed have seen a 45% reduction in hours worked. The corporate and business events sector directly employs an additional 229,000 Canadians according to a 2017 Oxford Economics study [citations].
We are asking venues and landmarks across the country to light red on 22 September to light up these dark theatres and concert halls, convention centres and festival grounds. We are also calling on the live event community – many of whom work in the backstage hallways and tiny offices crammed behind the ballrooms and stages — to stand up and be seen.
We are a large and important part of the cultural and economic fabric of Canada, and are requesting:
- We need industry specific support for those who still want or need to pursue their career.
- We need new training support to help fill the jobs of people who will not return to our industry.
- We need continued support for businesses, so that they can be there when large live events return to our stadiums, convention centres, theatres and festival venues.
Contact Information
For local teams information and media materials, please visit our info page.
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