The Event Managers Association, Tamilnadu (TEMA), wrote to the Minister for Municipal Administration S.P. Velumani regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the live-events industry across events, activations, trade shows, media, entertainment and sports. In the appeal, the members of the Association have listed various measures to revive the event management sector, which fell into deep crisis in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Coimbatore: The Event Managers Association, Tamilnadu (TEMA), wrote to the Minister for Municipal Administration S.P. Velumani regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the live-events industry across events, activations, trade shows, media, entertainment and sports.
In the appeal, the members of the Association have listed various measures to revive the event management sector, which fell into deep crisis in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.
They said the event management sector in the State has an annual turnover of over Rs.5,000 crores, employs over three lakh workers including ancillary professionals and the industry suffered thousands of event cancellations in the state once the pandemic struck, with a total loss of about Rs.1,000 crore.
They elucidated that the list of industries affected by the pandemic lockdown includes shows (dance shows, music concerts, magic shows, etc.), weddings, conferences, exhibitions, trade fairs, sports competitions, and event activations such as placement of flex printings, outdoor signages, vehicle branding, promotions, mall activities, road shows etc. They went onto say that a slew of ancillary businesses are bearing the brunt of the crisis as well.
They have requested the government to establish a welfare board for the event management industry and announce a Stimulus package. They have also appealed for the industry to be included under the MSME category and that they be provided Mudra Loans and other collateral free schemes.
They expressed hopes of express support from the Tamil Nadu Government in order to help the young industry deal with the crisis and also find its feet once again. The TEMA also requested permission, from June 1, to conduct events in areas that have minimal impact of COVID-19 with the requisite social distancing norms and preventative measures in place.