PR and Public Affairs
The statement of support for Covid Test Certificates which was approved and coordinated by ESSA, AEV and AEO was finally approved by Number 10 and achieved some significant inclusion in the press:
- The Telegraph: Andrew Lloyd Webber among leading arts figures to back Covid passports
- The Guardian: UK arts figures call for Covid certificates to revive industry
- i: Covid vaccine passports are one step closer after cultural sector gives backing to plans
- The Times: Royal Albert Hall and O2 arena join chorus of calls for virus certificates
- Daily Mail: Dozens of major venues back plans to trial vaccine passports as hospitality industry ‘devastated’ by the pandemic looks for ways to reopen and recover after Covid
- Press Association: DOZENS OF MAJOR VENUES BACK COVID TEST CERTIFICATES TO REOPEN EVENTS
The full statement can be read here: https://www.essa.uk.com/news/essa-news/1476-statement-of-support-for-covid-status-certification
We are planning the next phase of proactive engagement around the publication of the ERP findings and creating a phased campaign highlighting the steps being taken to reopen the sector to help support the confidence of attendees, exhibitors and organisers / suppliers as well as reinforce the economic contribution and importance to specific businesses of events. In addition at the EIA Board next month we will be looking ahead to more of a ‘peace time’ plan to build on the momentum achieved to date.
- The EIA have contracted with Finsbury to provide PR activity to support our mutually agreed public affairs strategy (which is continually reviewed and agreed by all association boards), initially for a period of 6 months ending June 2021
- The association Directors have weekly catch ups with Finsbury on activities in implementing our public affairs strategy, our conversations with Ministers and government officials, and other organisations/groups including but not limited to BVEP, EIB, OIOV
- They seek to create and deliver media opportunities to further amplify our public affairs work both within the industry and to broadcast media
- Further amplification will be delivered directly to mobilise members to deliver key messages to their local MP’s and political networks with targeted and connected communications & briefing notes
- They manage a list of ‘active’ MP’s geographical and by interest, collating feedback from members engagement with them
Letter to MPs / Events Research Programme
As we shared with you recently, we have successfully brought the issue of the Events Research Programme (ERP) to key officials at BEIS and the Treasury, who have been engaging with this over the last few days.
As you will remember, our initial letter, attached here (hyperlink), highlighted our dismay to government ministers that nearly three weeks after the Prime Minister’s Roadmap to Reopening announcement, the Government had still not published any details of the ERP that was referenced. The EIA’s collective call was reported by some of our key sector media last week, including Conference News and Exhibition News.
Whilst we have seen a recognition among our government contacts of the need to publish information on the ERP, we remain deeply concerned that specific action has not yet been taken. On behalf of members, we continue to strongly make the case for urgent action as without this, the likelihood of the sector being able to reopen in June is diminished.
Therefore, we will be doubling down on our efforts to make the case directly to political decision makers and to highlight the specific needs of this sector in terms of lead times for exhibitions and events and also the necessity of a government backed insurance scheme – without which the sector will be unable to fully reopen.
We will be seeking to highlight these issues over the coming week, both in our direct engagement with government officials and also in associated public calls for action to be taken.
Next week
Looking ahead to next week, on Tuesday there will be another Westminster Hall debate this time on Government-backed insurance for live events led by Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone.
The debate is in response to an e-petition, however, Stone has been vocal in highlighting industry calls for a Government backed insurance scheme for some weeks and has an expressed interest in the issue.
As above, we are using these political debates as an opportunity to amplify our calls for targeted support and for the sector to be given fair treatment as the UK continues on its roadmap out of lockdown. We will keep you up-to-date with our developments on this, and what is said in parliament.
In the meantime, please do keep safe and have a lovely weekend.
- The EIA have contracted with Finsbury to provide PR activity to support our mutually agreed public affairs strategy (which is continually reviewed and agreed by all association boards), initially for a period of 6 months ending June 2021
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