CAEM Update – January 19, 2021

The Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM) is the voice of the trade and consumer show industry in Canada.  Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, CAEM has been advocating on your behalf and for the future of the exhibition industry.  Over the last 10 months, under CAEM’s leadership and strength, the industry has united and made significant progress on several different fronts. Click here to review some of the key actions CAEM undertook in 2020.

While much has been accomplished, there is still significant work to be done.  During these trying times, CAEM is more committed than ever to advocate on your behalf, for the survival and future of the exhibition industry.  As we set our sights on 2021, CAEM’s focus and priorities are clear and well-defined.  They include continuing to advocate provincially for the safe and viable restart of our sector; advocating federally for sector-specific funding; working with strategic partners like MMBC, TIAC and Hardest Hit Coalition to coordinate our efforts; acting as the information hub for the industry; facilitating peer-to-peer networking and empowering members through targeted education.

As the only industry association working entirely on behalf of the trade and consumer show sector in Canada, we hope we can count on your engagement and support.  We cannot do this critical work without you.  Click here to join CAEM today!

• On December 7^th, a new Auxiliary Membership Class was ratified at a Special Meeting of Members.  This new Auxiliary Membership category allows former Exposition Members or Associate Members, who have previously been members of CAEM, but are not currently employed in the exposition industry, to remain active and involved in the Association.  For those who qualify, Auxiliary Membership is now available at a cost of $99 + taxes.  If a colleague or a member of your team, has been recently laid-off or terminated but wants to remain engaged in CAEM, please have them contact the office at info@caem.ca for more information.

Federal

• CAEM’s public affairs firm – Crestview Strategy – is actively working on a final draft of CAEM’s sector-specific funding document to present to the Federal Government.  In addition to making the case for our industry’s urgent need for relief programs, this document will clearly outline a number of clear asks, focused on widening existing programs and extending pandemic-specific supports – for those that need it – to maintain their companies and work forces, thereby enabling show producers, suppliers, facilities and vendors to play a critical role in economic recovery nationwide.  For the next several months, with the help of Crestview Strategy, CAEM’s Executive Director and President, along with a coalition of CAEM members, will be meeting with various politicians and policymakers across different Ministries, to present our asks and discuss the urgent need for sector-support.  Once finalized, CAEM’s sector-specific funding document will be shared with members.

Ontario

• The Ontario Meeting and Event Spaces Working Group – formed by the Ministry of Heritage and co-chaired by CAEM’s President – will be meeting next week with Assistant Deputy Minister Kevin Finnerty, to follow-up on the status of the recommendations submitted to public health before the Holidays.  As a reminder, these recommendations include a staged approach to reopening meeting and event spaces (including exhibition halls), in accordance with each of the 5 zones of public health measures (Prevent, Protect, Restrict, Control, Lockdown).  The group’s proposed reopening plan is based on a % of capacity model (rather than a set # of people) that allows for larger capacity limits as areas move into Restrict, Protect and Prevent zones.  The rationale behind a % of capacity limit (rather than a set # of people) is that the capacity limit model takes into account the size of the event space.  The working group felt strongly that a 1000 sq. ft. meeting room should not be held to the same limit as a 100,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall.  While we appreciate a state of emergency is still in effect in Ontario, the goal is to secure timely approval of this proposed plan, so when parts of Ontario ease out of lockdown, our sector has an approved path to resuming operations.

Alberta

• The regional taskforce group met on January 5^th to strategize on how best to re-engage with public health on the easing of temporary restrictions placed on trade shows and exhibiting events in December.  It was decided by the group to send a position letter to Dr. Hinshaw, as well as a number of other health and government officials, including Chris Shandro (Executive Director, Health Protection Branch at Alberta Health).  The purpose of this letter was to remind public health of our sector’s ability and commitment to producing safe exhibiting events, and to ensure we are not overlooked when temporary restrictions begin to get lifted again.  A copy of this position letter can be reviewed HERE.

Government Updates

Federal

• On Friday, January 15th, the Prime Minister's Office released updated mandate letters to Ministers.  CAEM is encouraged by the acknowledgement in these mandate letters that tailored support programs be explored for the hardest hit sectors. The timing of these mandate letters coincides well with CAEM's federal engagement plan.  CAEM's top priority is to ensure any forthcoming support measures get to businesses in our sector.

ON

• As of Friday, January 15th, the portal to apply for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant announced  by  Premier Ford in December is now open.  This grant is intended to assist small businesses in Ontario required to close or significantly restrict services under Ontario's province-wide shut down that came into effect on December 26th.   Some CAEM members may be eligible for this grant so we encourage you to read the guide HERE and you can apply for the grant HERE.

In Case You Missed it!

Missed a CAEM update? No problem! We understand that there's no shortage of news, which is why all CAEM Weekly Updates are available on the CAEM website. Visit the News Section to stay up to date.

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

• Alberta 
• British Columbia
• New Brunswick
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan

Additional Resources:

• Government of Ontario Health and Safety Training
• Resources for Canadian Businesses (Gov. of Canada)
• Ontario Together
• Ontario COVID-19 Emergency Assistance

Visit the CAEM website for the latest updates regarding the Exposition Recovery Taskforce and to access additional COVID-19 resources.

Visit the Meetings Mean Business website to access the latest industry news and updates. They have compiled a list of sources to help you access the latest information regarding COVID-19.

Visit the TIAC website to access resources for Canadians and businesses in the tourism sector impacted by COVID-19.

CAEM is a proud member of TIAO! Visit the TIAO website to access resources for Ontario individuals and businesses, in the tourism sector impacted by COVID-19.

Interested in becoming a TIAO Member? Email membership@tiaontario.ca for a complimentary 2020 membership.

Visit the Destination Canada website for intelligence, tools and insights related to COVID-19's impact on tourism and COVID-19 recovery reports.

The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry has launched UFI Connects. This program of regular talks, panels, and webinar sessions is free for industry professionals and can be accessed here.