The COVID19 virus has, undoubtedly, had a devastating impact on the events industry and its suppliers in North West. Many companies have had to postpone or cancel their events and the industry has come to a resounding halt, leaving thousands of suppliers, service providers and freelancers out of work. While it may have been easy to wallow in halt of service (which, let’s face it, a lot of us would have), the events industry in the North West has done the complete opposite.
A network of event organisers and suppliers large and small in the North West has been created to pool their resources and work together to assist with requests from the NHS, local government, charities and any other organisations that need support right now to help with any efforts to support the community in the fight against the virus. The group includes suppliers that have access to generators, furniture, comms equipment, vehicles, staging equipment, medical and ambulances, heating equipment, venue dressing and many other items. The group can also provide services including security, medical, av engineers, traffic management, project management, networks of freelances, transportation and volunteer management as well as many other services.
Companies signed up so far include: Beyond 90, Cityco, DECORDIA, Engine No. 4, From the Field LTD, GoTo Live LTD, Green Events Company, Inflatable Pub Company Ltd, John Mayoh Events Ltd, Laura Barker, Mersey Medical Services Ltd, Manchester International Festival, Mustard Media, Niche Event Hire, Osb-Events, Outgoing Ltd, RED DAM Group CCTV, Stretch Tent Hire, The ExcluSec Group Ltd, The Warehouse Project, Proud Events.
After 3 days of inception the group had already joined forces with a number of Greater Manchester organisations, charities, initiatives and local government to support the fast growing demand of equipment and services in this time of crisis. Just this past weekend, Events 4 Covid 19 completed its first request – a collaboration with The Green Events, Mersey Medical Services to provide five fridges to Mary Ellen and other chefs who are working to cook pre-prepared meals for NHS staff and vulnerable people.
Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester said: “I’m backing this new initiative which is a great example of the events industry coming together in a moment of crisis to assist the organisations most in need.”
The group would like to urge organisations working to fight the virus and its effects on the community to submit requests to resources large and small. If you’re an organisation that can do so, you can submit requests on the form here.
The group is also urging other event suppliers large or small in the North West to join their efforts. If you’d like to join then you can submit a request form here.
