Mr. PG will be illuminated red in observation of the nation-wide ‘Day of Visibility for the Entertainment and Events Industry’ today (Tuesday).
The purpose of the campaign is to raise widespread awareness by lighting up landmarks across Canada in red for an industry that is still dark.
Live event workers across Canada and around the globe were among the first to lose jobs back in March due to the pandemic, and all current direction is pointing towards event workers being among the last to return to work.
The people who make up the live events and entertainment industry are coming together to raise awareness and to remind Canadians that despite their willingness and readiness to work, in an effort to stop the spread of Covid-19 large events, concerts, conventions, and many sporting events have been cancelled or postponed indefinitely.
Similar campaigns have already taken place in countries like the United Kingdom (#LightItInRed), Spain, the United States (#WeMakeEvents), Netherlands, and Germany (#NightOfLight2020).
According to a news release, 80-95% of all live event business has been lost since March, and over 75% of people who identify as event industry workers lost some or all of their employment when the pandemic was declared.
A number of businesses in Prince George and across the north depend on the Event Industry including:
- Audio-visual production companies
- Caterers
- Restaurants
- Hotels,
- Ticketing agencies,
- Venue staff