Friends,
Next week will be a landmark week for the Live Event Industry as we work to affect the next relief legislation.
On Tuesday August 25, I will be on CNBC Squawk Box with my friend Phil Ehart from Kansas. Phil has graciously arranged this special event.
We will be talking for 10 minutes about the current state of the Live Event Industry.
Our mission is to further educate the public and Congress.
This will be a major milestone for our cause as it will be the first mainstream media television coverage of this nature that we have received.
Phil is due a debt of gratitude for facilitating this. Thank you Phil.
On Wednesday August 26, Glenn Cleland and Marc Johnson from Tyler Truss will host Senator Todd Young at their facility in Indiana.
This visit is a result of our efforts.
Senator Young along with Senator Bennet are the authors of RESTART.
We have been working with both of those Senators for some time on promoting RESTART.
Senator Young is making the visit to see firsthand the impact of COVID on one of the major manufactures in our industry.
We will have a full report and pictures after the Senators visit.
Glenn and Marc will deliver the message to Senator Young as to how important it is that RESTART be passed.
All week we will have thousands of people across North America preparing for the September 1st #RedAlertRESTART, # ExtendPUA event.
Thousands of people and facilities across North America have stepped up with the greatest of enthusiasm.
We have people all around North America that are doing case walks, empty stages and events of that nature.
The IATSE is a big participant in the event as well.
Those of us that have direct access to entertainers are asking them to do 10 second phone videos that we will compile into a larger piece.
This will be posted across social media, entertainment media, mainstream media and given to Congress.
We already have a large number of huge stars signed on and this will be very impactful.
Here is what is expected to happen with legislation next week.
It is expected that the House will pass their bill on Post Office funding this Saturday, and it will be passed to the Senate.
Next week it is expected that parts of the Post Office bill will be adopted into the current Senate bill that you received last week.
It seems most likely that by the end of next week there will be some form of a hybrid bill from this action.
Nothing official is expected next week.
It seems most likely that the real work will begin September 1st and beyond.
This means the timing of our #WeMake Events #RedAlertRESTART, #ExtendPUA event will be perfect.
Remember, there are a lot of moving pieces to crafting any legislation and this one is no exceptions.
There will be a great deal of consideration given by our legislators on the hill as their goal is to provide the best possible path forward.
Please do not get confused as you hear things, as this is, after all, a negotiation.
If forced to give an opinion, I cannot see anything passed before September 16.
It does seem more likely that late September is a more realistic date.
Reelection and funding for schools still sit in the top two spots in terms of moving this along with any speed.
Funding for States still resides as the largest issue to resolve.
There is considerably positive talk that some if not all of the language in RESTART will become part of the final bill.
Confidence is growing among legislators daily, and everything that we do helps promote that cause.
Next week everyone needs to participate in creating the September 1st event.
Engage and involve as many legislators and media people as you can. They are our best voice for change.
Encourage your legislators to watch Squawk Box on Tuesday the 25th.
Thank you to everyone involved for all that you have done.
Do not let up. This additional Federal funding is key to the firms and people in our industry.
Without people, we have no industry. The Enhance Unemployment Insurance is just as important as the RESTART Act.
Thank you all again and be safe,
Michael T. Strickland, Chair and Founder, Bandit Lites
