The spread of the coronavirus has stopped all live events and mass gatherings, many people in the meetings industry been put on hold until the situation stabilizes, while healthcare professionals are working overtime and hospitals are running out of beds for patients. The aforementioned situation presents the problem and a possible solution. At least that is how over 80 live event production companies in the United States saw it and decided to act fast. They united and launched Live for Life, a coalition which offers engineering and support service solutions to the front-line needs in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
These companies are combining their world-class manufacturing competences, logistics expertise, raw materials inventories, and labour to build essential support systems, such as temporary hospital rooms, testing, centres, emergency treatment patient rooms, personal protective equipment, and other needed resources across the United States of America. The newly organized coalition’s production and labour crews can be distributed regionally and can build operational field hospitals within 72 hours of notification.
“Navigating COVID-19 healthcare is in part a logistical challenge – from the need for additional hospital beds and drive-through testing centres, to aspects as simple as time and space”. – Chris Meyer, CEO of George P. Johnson
Chris Meyer, CEO of George P. Johnson and a founding member of Live for Life stated “The companies involved in the Live for Life coalition recognized that the industry can make a difference. Event producers specialize in planning complex logistics – in 2019 alone, we fuelled the creation, production, setup and breakdown of 6,000 events in the U.S. We are highly organized and efficient, very familiar with operating at scale, and we know how to build the impossible quickly. Most importantly, we want to help.”
“This industry is united and is making it happen”. – Dave Walens, CEO of Exploring
Dave Walens, CEO of founding member Exploring explained “The idea to convert empty convention centres to temporary hospitals came to life in a matter of days. Every leader we contacted agreed to join this coalition without hesitation. Competitors came together as partners to meet this extraordinary need.”
“We recognize that this challenge is larger than any one organization. We are truly collaborating and learning from each other as an industry,” added Nick Simonette, VP of Sales at founding member Czarnowski.
