CAEM Update – December 10

 

Renew your CAEM Membership Today!

 

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM) has been advocating on your behalf and for the future of the exhibition industry. During these trying times, CAEM is more committed than ever to continue defending our members’ interests and raising your voice with Government.

As a not-for-profit Association, we rely on paid memberships to fuel our efforts. We cannot do this important work without you. We hope we can count on your continued support and investment in CAEM by renewing your 2021 membership in the association.

Questions? Contact office@caem.ca.

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CAEM Updates

It is with mixed emotions that we are announcing the departure of Catherine MacNutt, from CAEM’s Board of Directors, effective Thursday November 26th.  Catherine has accepted a new opportunity, with a company outside of the trade and consumer show industry, and has therefore resigned as Past President of CAEM’s Board of Directors. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Catherine for her many years of service to the Association and industry, including her tremendous leadership and dedication as President of CAEM. She will be greatly missed by the entire Board and CAEM members alike, and we wish her nothing but the very best in her new position. In accordance with the CAEM By-Laws, the Board is pleased to announce that Lisa MacDonald, PDAC, will return to CAEM’s Board of Directors, in the role of Past President. Lisa’s long-standing history with CAEM, combined with her exceptional leadership and vision, will be an invaluable asset to CAEM as we forge ahead with our strategic priorities for 2021.

On Monday November 7th, at CAEM’s Special Meeting of Members, a new Auxiliary Membership class was ratified by membership, along with the required by-law changes. This new Auxiliary Membership category is defined as a former Exposition Member or Associate Member, who has been a member of CAEM, but is no longer employed in the expositions industry and would like to remain involved in the association. Auxiliary Members shall not be entitled to vote at any meetings and shall not have the right to hold a position as an officer or director of the Corporation. Individuals must be approved by the Board of Directors and reapply annually to maintain this membership. Auxiliary Membership will be available effective January 1, 2021, at a cost of $99 + taxes. Please contact the office at info@caem.ca for more information.

 

What You Need to Know This Week

Federal

  • CAEM’s COVID-19 Economic-Impact Survey – conducted by public affairs’ firm Crestview Strategy – generated close to 600 responses from various stakeholders in the industry, including show producers, suppliers, venues and exhibitors. Members were clear that the pandemic has had a devastating impact on their business in 2020 and that the prospect of continued restrictions would result in an even greater negative effect in 2021. CAEM and Crestview Strategy are now meeting internally to formalize our asks to government, based on the details of the need for funding that was uncovered by our survey, as well as the potential impacts of sector-funding on the overall economy. The Exposition Recovery Taskforce will be meeting again, before the end of the year, to build consensus on the details of our ask, in advance of initiating our lobbying registration, federal engagement plan and meeting outreach in early January.

Ontario

  • The Ontario Meeting and Event Spaces Group – formed by the Ministry of Heritage and co-chaired by CAEM’s President – has now submitted a number of recommended changes to the current government reopening guidance document for meeting and event facilities  The group’s main ask is for an exemption to indoor capacity limits (currently capped at 50 people per meeting room), similar to the exemptions granted to shopping malls, public markets and restaurants. Specifically, the group is advocating for meeting and event spaces to be able to operate at 50% occupancy in Prevent and Protect levels, and 30% occupancy in Restrict levels – subject to patrons being able to maintain physical distancing. We are also advocating for a revision to the existing document, to no longer preclude trade and consumer shows from operating.  With the help of the Ministry, the group’s next step will be to meet with the Public Health Table directly, to discuss these requests. This meeting is expected to happen in mid-January.

Alberta

  • On Monday December 7th, CAEM’s President was invited to present to the Alberta Cambers of Commerce, on behalf of the trade and consumer show sector, and alongside the Alberta Live Events Coalition. As part of the presentation, CAEM outlined our federal engagement plan, and called on the Chambers of Commerce to help CAEM advocate for greater relief and support for the exhibition sector. CAEM applauds the Chambers of Commerce for taking an interest in our sector and stepping up to help CAEM with our advocacy efforts. As CAEM builds out our ask, plan and material, we will certainly be turning to the Chambers to help amplify our message through their existing networks and channels.

Government Updates

  • As of Friday, December 4, 2020, eligible businesses facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are able to access a second CEBA loan of up to $20,000 – on top of the initial $40,000 that was available to small businesses. Half of this additional financing, up to $10,000, will be forgivable if the loan is repaid by December 31, 2022. To apply, eligible businesses and not-for-profits need to contact the financial institution that provided their initial CEBA loan and provide the appropriate information and documentation.  CLICK HERE for more details.

In Case You Missed it!

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Government Resources

As the Provinces continue working through their reopening and recovery plans, you can find each Province’s timeline and actions here: 

 

Additional Resources: