SISO Update
Hello, September. For many the start of this month often signals a new year of learning, and that - like most things this year - will look very different. In-person? Hybrid? Fully virtual? An “event” of its own we wait to see how this too unfolds.
In this new season and new age of continued learning, we continue to evolve and find the next steps we'll take for both the normal we're creating as a world and for events. Stay strong, and please...stay connected with SISO.
SISO Activities
Get involved in one of SISO's special interest groups or take some time to catch up on our insightful webinars available, including town halls, special roundtables, and more.
- SISO Small Business SIG - Our online roundtable discussion for the Small Business SIG is underway. Remaining sessions include:
- 9/10 - Financial/Accounting/Tax Questions Related to COVID-19
- 9/22 - Human Resources, Dealing with COVID-19
- 10/1 - Health & Safety Issues Related to COVID-19
- 10/13 - Mergers & Acquisitions
- 10/22 - Marketing in the Era of COVID-19
Don't miss another important SIG session, sign up now for the final five! Small business members that would like to participate should contact
info@siso.org.
- SISO's Women's SIG - Will host two consecutive 90-minute virtual sessions for VPs, managing directors and C-level participants, looking to improve influence and visibility as well as finding pathways to becoming a board director.
- Wednesday, 9/16: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm EDT
Part 1: Influence and Visibility
- Wednesday, 9/23: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm EDT
Part 2: Visibility for Boards and Beyond
- Wednesday, 9/16: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm EDT
- NEW! SISO Consumer Show Organizers SIG - A steering committee is being assembled for this new SIG. Interested in volunteering? Email info@siso.org. A survey will be distributed soon as well to collect the needs for information and programming.
- SISO Webinars - Fill any of your available time by soaking up insightful content available to you via our online webinars. SISO partnered with mdg to produce The Six Dimensions of Live, sponsored by Freeman. Multiple episodes are available. Plus, past Town Halls and more.
Moving Forward Updates
Rapid tests for COVID at airports and more keep us hopeful for ways to secure reopening of live in-person events, in more and more places. And that's not the only bit of good news related to airports these days! The DFW International Airport has earned its GBAC STAR Accreditation as the first airport to do so! Congratulations to them! Additionally, the Tennessee Convention Center, McCormick Place in Chicago, and the Las Vegas Convention Center have gained the GBAC STAR accreditation.
And speaking of Las Vegas...the 2020 Summer Las Vegas Market delivered positive results with a modified format and extensive safety measure. The Market was held August 20 through September 3. Attendance was at 20 percent compared to regular years with attendance from 43 states, of that 76 percent of attendees were from Western states. This is certainly a step in the right direction.
Coalition Updates
Since (and probably prior to) virtual party conventions, legislators' attention is strongly focused on the upcoming election. Despite their divided attention, Go LIVE Together is committed to continuing to educate legislators about the economic impact of our industry through advocacy efforts.
Reminder, Go LIVE Together's top objectives include having Congress pass legislation that includes the following provisions:
- Extension of PPP for the small businesses in our community
- Liability protection that will be critical to restarting events without fear of frivolous lawsuits
- Health & safety tax credit to cover testing, PPE, cleaning supplies and related expenses
- Testing and vaccine development funding
Resources are available via the Coalition toolkit.
As mentioned in our last issue, SISO has joined a new Coalition, Let's Go There, focused on rebuilding the travel industry. The campaign encourages Americans to travel. Their phased and multi-channel approach will hopefully create an echo chamber across the industry. Let's Go There's plans aim to reignite the wanderlust in everyone and inspire Americans' to adventure. Please join us in supporting and promoting this new campaign. Get involved by:
- Sharing via your social network: Toolkit resources are available.
- Becoming an official supporter of the campaign: Make a financial contribution. To learn more, contact info@letsgothere.travel.
For more information about the Let's Go There campaign, watch this video or contact letsgothere@ustravel.org.
Resources
MASKS? SISO's got them for order. Get them for your team, your event or whatever your needs may be. Visit resources to address COVID-19 on our website for additional the latest updates and guidance.
Q&A
SISO is your community. Although we may not be together now, we look forward to seeing you soon. Until then, stay engaged with our community through SISO's social channels. Members, engage in our online member forumand/or consider joining one of our SIGs, noted above. Have questions? Send those to info@siso.org.
What have you been up to? Has your trade show or organization created materials or spearheaded resources that would be beneficial to your SISO peers, please share those on our online community.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay strong. Stay connected.