Coalition brings together live events industry leaders to urge local, state and federal legislators to consider measures for support and recoveryThe International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) announced its support as a founding partner for Go LIVE Together, a coalition of 80 founding partners – representing over 4,000 companies with U.S. operations – who have joined forces to support legislative actions that will aid the industry’s recovery from COVID-19. The coalition is bound together by the belief that nothing in the world will ever replace the power and need for trade shows and live events.

“The irrefutable value of the face-to-face meetings industry is reflected by its year-over-year growth in the U.S. and global economies,” noted IAEE President & CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA. “The exhibitions and events industry is suffering a devastating setback from the effects of COVID-19 but is poised to make a comeback once circumstances allow. In the meantime, our industry needs the support of the federal government so that we may mitigate the immediate impact of this crisis.”

Events serve as a massive incubator for innovation and economic growth. Advocating for recovery funding will be essential – not only to the events industry – but to the healing and recovery efforts of the global economy, because:

• Live events contribute nearly $1 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, with events touching every major sector that makes up the U.S. GDP.
• In 2019, the events industry employed 3 million workers directly, with a total impact of close to 7 million jobs.
• The live events industry employs millions of union workers, general laborers, strategists, marketers, concession stand workers, entertainers, riggers, project managers and more.
• Over 80 percent of the companies that serve the live events industry are small, with many being women- and minority-owned businesses.

Please join our efforts in advocating for what we all already know to be true – nothing in the world will ever replace the power and the need for live events.

Let’s Go LIVE Together! #GoLiveTogether

Visit www.golivetogether.com to learn more information.

About Go LIVE Together
Go LIVE Together, in partnership with Freeman, the global live events company, comprises a coalition of 80 founding partners representing over 4,000 companies with operations in the U.S. and 112 other countries. The coalition has assembled to ensure that, when the health crisis is over, the voices and concerns of the live events industry are addressed in local, state and federal recovery funding related to COVID-19. The live events industry is a diverse, valuable and vibrant ecosystem that contributes nearly $1 trillion to the U.S. economy and employs millions of workers. Visit golivetogether.com to learn more and support this initiative. Engage with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn using #GoLiveTogether. Contact media@golivetogether.com for more information.

About IAEE
Trusted since 1928, IAEE provides quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE, and the organization advocates and promotes the awareness of face-to-face exhibitions and events as the primary medium for business development and growth. IAEE provides relevant, timely, and innovative education to its members and the industry. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: 4imprint, BearCom, Buttine Exhibition Insurance, Convention News Television (CNTV), Delta Airlines, New Orleans & Company, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Orange County Convention Center, Personify – A2Z Events, Streampoint Solutions and Synchronicities (Visit Anaheim, Visit Baltimore and Visit San Antonio). Visit iaeewebstg.wpenginepowered.com for more information.

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Media Inquiries:
Mary Tucker
Sr. PR/Communications Manager
+1 (972) 687-9226
mtucker@iaee.com