(Pictured is the May 11 panel L-R: Moderator Russell Callahan, David DuBois, Bob McLean Jr. and Jim Kelley)
The Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association will be livestreaming a panel discussion on May 8, at 1 p.m. (noon CT/10 a.m. PT). It will discuss “Maintaining Employee Morale” during during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be livestreamed on the EACA’s Facebook page, as well as recorded and posted later to the EACA website. Viewers can participate in the discussion by sending any questions you may have for any or all of the panelists by emailing them to jimwurm@eaca.com in advance. When you do, indicate if you want to ask anonymously, or if they can say your name and company.
Jim Wurm, EACA executive director will moderate the discussion with a panel of exhibit and tradeshow service companies who will discuss the impact that COVID-19 has had on their company and what strategies they are employing to maintain connection and morale with their employees while all are sheltering in place. The panel includes:
• Steve Johnson, President, Renaissance Management
• Chris Griffin, President, TS Crew
• Kevin Carty, Executive VP, Classic Exhibits
• Tara Higgins, CEO, Hargrove, Inc.
Wurm explains, “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the exhibits and events industry. While there have been several round of legislation to provide relief to small businesses who are at a standstill there are numbers of others who are impacted and impeded from executing their jobs. And whether your company has applied for and received your SBA loan as part of the Payroll Protection part of the CARES Act it is still important to connect with employees in hopes of buoying their spirits and providing them information and encouragement about when our industry will begin to return to normal.”
If you’d like to watch one of their previous panel discussions, visit their website or Facebook page for “The CARES Act Experience,” “Converting Convention Centers to Field Hospitals” and “Next Phase Stimulus.” If you have an idea for a discussion panel that hasn’t happened yet, just email jim-wurm@eaca.com with your suggestions. Says Wurm, “We’re always open to input to hear about the issues that are most important to you.”
Next Monday, SWIAEE & Fern will present their first virtual event when “Together Stronger! Perspectives on Industry Recovery,” an online Town Hall goes live on May 11 from noon-1 p.m. PST. Moderator Russell Callahan, CEM, director of national operations at Quest Events, will be discussing the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, as well as thoughts regarding virtual events and more importantly, how future exhibitions and events will look. Thought leaders will be talking about what they’re doing to ensure continuity of their company while being transparent and flexible in times of chaos and uncertainty. Panelists will include:
- David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, president and CEO, IAEE
- Bob McLean Jr., CPA, CAE, CEM, exec. VP, PPAID and 2020 chairperson of IAEE Board of Directors
- Jim Kelley, VP, marketing and industry relations, FERN.
For more info, visit www.eaca.com or www.facebook.com/EACAssn for the May 8 panel. For more info on the May 11 panel, visit www.swiaee.com or www.facebook.com/SWIAEE/ or to register for the May 11 panel, visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3635561992069605132
