#WeMakeEvents mobilizes around the world today, lighting up the night in red

More than twenty-five countries join together tonight in Global Day of Action (30-S) to represent more than thirty million workers in the global entertainment and events industry, MICE and culture, that become 'visible' again today with red lighting actions and request the collaboration of the entire society.

The international campaign #WeMakeEvents has increased its activity in recent weeks to highlight how the global entertainment and events industry, MICE and culture urgently need to get back to work.

More than thirty million people in more than twenty-five countries would normally work in this multi-sector industry., but with social distancing measures and capacity limitations “there is no possibility of an economically viable return for the foreseeable future”, the organization assures in a statement.

In recent weeks, protests have taken place around the world., like the United States, Canada, Sweden, France, Germany, Spain (more details in Digital AV) and the United Kingdom to raise awareness among those affected in the supply chain of this heterogeneous and fragmented industry, characterized by transversality.

From manufacturers, production companies, catering, transport, security, together with associations, agencies and companies of events and shows, sound technicians, video, lightning, going through installers, rental companies, fairgrounds, together with musicians, artists, actors, stewardesses, to the huge community of freelancers who work in the industry.

Most of them have had no income since the beginning of the health crisis last March, and with a second global wave of COVID-19 imminent, it has become impossible to predict a return to work date, leaving many businesses and people devastated, both financially and personally.

“The situation in Spain is terrible and we are working very hard to let our Government know,” says Juan José Vila., of #Red Alert #WeDoEvents, which brings together more than 37 associations and participatory movements-. The mobilization of the past 17 September had great coverage and we believe we have shown how important live events are for the Spanish economy”.

The industry comes together today, 30 September, as a single global force to carry out Global Day of Action, which marks the beginning of a new phase of the campaign that will continue to alert governments about the disastrous situation facing the sector.

#WeMakeEvents calls on governments around the world to extend financial support for people and businesses in the events and entertainment sector supply chain until they can viably return to work.

Among the 20:00 y 23:00 hours today, 30 September, professionals this sector from thousands of cities in more than twenty-five countries will meet to unite in Global Day of Action. The organization requests that these actions be shared on networks with national and international hashtags: #WeMakeEvents #We doEvents #RedAlert #TodxsUnidxs #StandAsOne #LightItInRed.

Among the creative activities that will take place tonight, and which can be found in detail on their website, stand out:

Shine a Light: Strategically placed shafts of white light will be radiated into the night sky, and each of them will mean a possible loss of jobs.

#LightItInRed: facades will light up red, balconies, windows, and outdoors in general, as well as the interior of theaters, concert halls, cultural spaces, multipurpose rooms, fair spaces, congress palaces, event spaces, celebration areas, circus carp, rehearsal rooms, recording studios, etc., and even jobs, offices and houses, using the motto #RedAlert #WeMakeEvents, which in Spain will be #RedAlert #We doEvents.

Inside Out: This action focuses on projecting on the outside of the spaces the actions that usually took place inside until before the pandemic.. A theater projecting a play on its façade, a concert hall screening concerts, music, a dance school projecting choreographies, an event space projecting a conference, etc. to remind the world of what it is missing and what may never return.

Visual and technical actions: equipment and FX companies will make creations with the lighting and technical material they use in their events and activities.

Music, art and dance: performing simple concerts inside the halls, in camera, where the absence of attendees is seen, and even dance professionals who perform simple and short choreographies, circus schools that show their personal training, scenic pieces, etc.

“What people don't really understand is what events contribute to the financial world.”, spiritually and emotionally -concludes Michael T Strickland, president and founder of Bandit Lites in the US. and a leading voice in the campaign Restart in this country, which is aligned with #WeMakeEvents. We truly are a global industry. The impact for us is devastating at this time, with the 77% of people in our live events industry who have lost their 100% of their income due to the inability to work due to social distancing regulations, “But the impact on the world if the industry disappears will be equally devastating in many ways.”.

For this professional, “It is incomprehensible that governments do not understand the economic value of the events industry as a whole: from festivals, tours, conventions to corporate events and more. “We are a solid financial investment and we will be able to contribute much more to the global recovery than it will cost in the meantime.”.

The countries involved in the activities that will be carried out in the Global Day of Action They are Germany, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, USA, Filipinas, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Northern Ireland, Italia, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, England, South Africa, Sweden, Türkiye and Wales.