SISO Update
We empathize with you in the fact that these past several months have not been easy and that there is still a road ahead to travel before live events return to a truly new normal. Although it has been tough, not all has been bad. Innovations in technology, our industry and many others will have a profound impact on all of us moving forward. That being said, it is important that no matter what, we stand together. We look forward. And, that we travel that road ahead together.
SISO Activities
If you haven't already, consider getting involved in one of SISO's special interest groups. Plus, we have a full list of webinars ready for watching - from town halls to special roundtables and more. Make time to watch and connect!
- SISO Small Business SIG - Our new online roundtable discussion for the Small Business SIG has begun. Remaining sessions include:
- 9/1 - Insurance Issues Related to COVID-19
- 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
- SISO's Women's Leadership SIG - The SISO Women's SIG will be offering full programming to SISO members beginning in the fall. The program will cover several areas of focus targeted at all levels of exhibition industry professionals. For Senior Executives, there will be a focus on increasing your visibility and preparation to become a member of a corporate board.
Leading in a crisis will be a focus of the SISO Women's Leadership Program. This multi-session program will cover how to manage teams during a crisis, managing your career and honing new skills in this “new normal”.
The final area will be the return of the popular interview series hearing the career stories of many women in our industry.
Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.
- NEW! SISO Consumer Show Organizers SIG - A steering committee is being assembled for this new SIG. If you're interested in volunteering email info@siso.org. A survey will be distributed soon as well to collect needs for information and programming. Stay tuned!
- SISO Webinars - Check out our newest series! SISO partnered with mdg to produce The Six Dimensions of Live, sponsored by Freeman. Multiple episodes are available. Here also find past Town Halls and more webinars.
The Small Business Administration and Treasury have issued FAQs on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), see highlights from Brady Ware here. And, tune in for insights from a director at Brady Ware in our 9/10 webinar.
Moving Forward Updates
Everyone wants to know more about traveling and safety these days. After all, many may still be considering whether or not to still take a “summer vacation” before we blink and its fall. So, as the summer is coming to a close, is it safe to travel again? Or, really, where can I travel? What are the protocols? Are hotels open? And more.
If you haven't traveled yet yourself, or even if you have, watch Northstar's Journey of a Meeting Attendee video. Our SISO executive director participated in this event last month. Reach out if you have questions.
We all recognize that a big piece of moving forward and getting people back up to regular activity outside of the home (even with masks on) is dependent on the successful creation of a viable vaccine, for the masses. We're glad to see a lot of activity on this front as that momentum continues to build. Some articles of note regarding the saliva-based test that is shaping up to be a potential game changer, include:
- CNN: New saliva-based COVID-19 test could be a fast and cheap ‘game changer' (8/17)
- Statnews: FDA clears saliva test for COVID-19, opening door to wider testing (8/15)
- FDA: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization to Yale School of Public Health for SalivaDirect, Which Uses a New Method of Saliva Sample Processing (8/15)
- YaleNews: Quick and affordable saliva-based COVID-19 test developed by Yale scientists receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization (8/15)
See also, Messe Frankfurt Middle East's recent research and strategy that takes a closer look at how COVID 19 affected businesses and the behavior of their stakeholders in the Middle East.
Coalition Updates
Efforts to promote our industry through Go LIVE Together have not stopped, even if Congress itself is on recess. The Coalition continues to urge Congress and the administration to resume negotiations and pass a bill 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
You're still encouraged to map your connections and write your senators or congresspeople, if you haven't already please consider these helpful and important actions.
If you haven't already, be sure to watch Go LIVE Together's recent video highlighting small business Little Burros and how integral its attendance at The National Hardware Show was to their success. And, if you have a story to share, or know someone who does, Go LIVE Together wants to hear it! Email stories@golivetogether.com with details.
Grab resources from the Coalition toolkit for clear and concise snapshots of each of the key advocacy and legislative goals and share, share, share.
SISO has joined a new Coalition, Let's Go There, focused on rebuilding the travel industry. The campaign encourages Americans to, you guessed it, travel - safely and productively! Their phased, layered and integrated multi-channel approach will fill the media ecosystem and hopefully create an echo chamber across the industry. Their plans aim to reignite the wanderlust in all of us and inspire Americans' next adventure. We invite you to support and promote this new campaign as well to your own communities. A few ways to get involved, include:
- Share via your social network: Toolkit resources will be available starting the week of August 24.
- Become 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
Do you need masks? Ordering is available through SISO. Visit our resources to address COVID-19 for additional resources, the latest updates and guidance.
Q&A
SISO is your community. We all look forward to reconvening with you, eventually. Until then, stay engaged with our community through SISO's social channels. Members, engage in our online member forum. Have questions? Send those to info@siso.org.
Share what you're doing! If your trade show or organization has created new guidance or resources that would be beneficial to your SISO peers, please share those on our online community.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay strong. Stay connected