SISO Update
Just like everything this year, we're sure your Thanksgiving plans likely look a little different. Despite that, remember how grateful we are for you, your organizations, and your support for our industry throughout the good and the challenging times. We're not quite out of the dark days just yet, but with the advancement of vaccines, we maintain more than just hope for resuming more live events with you, one day. And we know, while life is different these days, one cannot discount silver linings.
Happy Thanksgiving, we are thinking of you.
SISO Activities
Take the time to tune-in with SISO and make time to educate yourself!
NEW! SISO will be holding Small Business SIG monthly open roundtable discussions, beginning next month. All discussions will take place on Tuesdays at 11:00 am ET, except for the April session. Mark your calendar and plan to join:
- 12/8/20
- 1/12/21
- 2/9/21
- 3/9/21
- 4/12/21 - This session will take place live and in-person at the
SISO CEO Summit at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island in Florida.
SISO has dozens of webinars from the past year (and many in recent months!) to keep you informed. Whether you want to work on your own professional development as a leader or listen in on a panel of industry peers - we've got it for you. Recent SISO Webinars include:
- Office Hours - Live with Angela Scalpello - Get all of your questions answered! (11/18)
- The Events Industry and Global Business Travel: Building Consumer Confidence Together. (10/29)
- Women's SIG - Remember me? How NOT to Lose Sight of Your Career Ambitions. (10/28)
- Small Business SIG - Restarting Events during COVID-19. (10/27)
Plus, watch BTE.Media Group's latest series episode of “In Conversation With…” with our own David Audrain. recent interview. #eventprofs
Moving Forward Updates
Case numbers in the Americas and Europe continue to increase at alarming rates. And though we are eager to see a return to live events, we recognize that though there have been some successfully executed live events across the world that there remains a long road ahead before live events will be fully ready to come back at scale. That being said, we must also rejoice in the good news, (in light of the somber numbers) and the recent advancing work for vaccinations, testing, and more.
Vaccine:
- Pfizer to seek COVID-19 vaccine approval ‘within days' as trial shows 95 percent efficacy (even higher efficacy than originally stated!). (11/18)
- The latest CDC guidelines address how a vaccine could impact travel and events. It includes virus transmission, CDD guidelines for events, evaluating risk levels, considerations for canceling or postponing, before the event, during the event, after the event, and cleanliness guidelines. (11/18)
- What COVID vaccine effectiveness means...the likelihood that a coronavirus shot will work in people and breaking that down. (11/17)
- The industry (and Wall Street) shows cautious optimism as a result of Pfizer's clinical trial results for its vaccine. Note: trade show giants, Informa and Viad saw their stocks shoot up! (SISO's own David Audrain is quoted.). (11/11)
Testing:
A number of airlines have stepped up testing to pilot programs ensuring passenger safety and COVID-free flights.
- COVID-19 testing begins at LAX amid expanded testing efforts in response to virus surge, including increase in city's mobile testing. (11/17)
- American, British Airways and oneworld alliance to trial COVID-19 tests in hopes of convincing the U.S. and UK governments to resume transatlantic travel. (11/17)
- First passengers use United's Transatlantic COVID testing scheme, having all crew and passengers (over the age of 2 tested and confirmed negative before takeoff). (11/17)
- Luftansa operates first COVID-tested flight, piloting program for intra-country travel. (11/16)
- Which COVID-19 tests allow you to travel? See which test (PCR, LAMP, Antigen, Self-sampling, or Antibody) you need for which country. (11/15)
- Airlines tighten mask restrictions, partner with COVID-19 testing providers. Delta, United and Alaska Airlines have banned over 900 passengers for not wearing masks, and more. (11/13)
- Additionally, United launches COVID-19 tests for transatlantic travel, the pilot program will run 11/16 to 12/11. (10/29)
Everything Else:
From bubbles to Emerald and GBAC (check out all the STAR certified venues in the U.S.!), many things continue to happen across the industry (and otherwise) that is worth making note of!
- Read: SISO/UFI's case study on Super Pet Expo and how All Show Services safely produced a B2C show successfully in Virginia. (11/5)
- A new first in quarantine-free travel between two countries, an “Air Bubble” to open travel between Hong Kong and Singapore, beginning November 22. (11/17)
- Puerto Rico Convention Center hosted its first event last month, since receiving its GBAC STAR accreditation. The venue has also implemented the VenueShield Environmental Hygiene Program. (11/16)
- Where in-person meetings are happening now. Planners rely on PPE and more to keep attendees safe. (11/11)
- Emerald names Herve Sedky as president and CEO https://www.tsnn.com/index.php/news/emerald-names-herv%C3%A9-sedky-president-and-ceo, leaving Reed Exhibitions. (11/13)
- Why in-person events beat virtual events - and what it will take for them to make a Comeback, SISO member E.J. Krause offers insights to Forbes. (11/3)
- Watch the podcast video episode: Tourism & Activism: The Current State of New York City, moderated by David Adler, SISO board member. (10/20)
Of course, many restrictions remain in place, both in the U.S. and around the world. Meetings Mean Business' reopening tracker breaks down maximum number of occupants, percent occupancy limit, mask requirements, and travel restrictions across the U.S. Northstar Meetings Group notes where you can hold events, state-by-state, plus reopening statuses. Meanwhile, USA Today provides COVID-19 travel restrictions by state: What you need to know before you travel.
Coalition Updates
Go LIVE Together
With the election behind us, we are hopeful that Congress can make its last session a productive one. GLT is actively working with the COVID Relief Now Coalition to call on legislators to pass a bipartisan economic relief package.
In addition, GLT continues to push its legislative - both on the hill and by raising awareness of business events among legislators and local officials. Legislative priorities including: PRIA, relief funding, and stimulus spending.
As President-Elect Biden assembles his transition team, GLT is preparing to share our industry's concerns and importance with him and his team. That includes highlights on business events' important role in the economy and our ability to reopen safely.
Please continue to share stories about encouraging next steps for the events industry cities easing using hashtag, #GLTgoodNews.
Let's continue to support and promote GLT's messages. Download resource materials from the Go Live Together coalition toolkit.
COVID Relief Now Coalition
SISO and GLT are members of the COVID Relief Now Coalition. COVID Relief Now Coalition is conducting a survey to gather data that will be used to support advocacy for an economic relief package. The survey closes today, 11/20. If you haven't completed it yet, please do so yet today!
Visit the Coalition toolkit for resources to help support the Coalitions efforts with consistent messages.
Let's Go There
We continue to support the Let's Go There campaign and ask that you continue the efforts as well. Find resources in its toolkit or provide a financial contribution. Contact letsgothere@ustravel.org to learn more.
Resources
Visit our site for COVID-19 updates and guidance.
Additionally, Main Street Lending Program in USA has new criteria. SISO's Tax Accountants have provided this summary of the new changes to the program, including: minimum loan reduced to $100,000, transaction fees waived for loans under $250,000, and PPP Loans up to $2M can be excluded when determining loan amount.
Q&A
See us online! Join your community through SISO's social channels. If you're a member, engage in our online member forum. Want to get more involved or have a question? Email info@siso.org.
Thank you, again, to our members and all of our industry peers for your ongoing support and answer to the many calls to take action. We appreciate you and are grateful for all that you do.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay strong. Stay connected.