The Croatian event industry is joining the global Red Alert initiative

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01.09.2020

Author: Matina Tenžera

In support of thousands of people employed in the event industry around the world, the most famous halls and buildings will be illuminated in red tonight

Croatia is also joining the large global initiative Red Alert: We Make Events , which was launched in order to raise awareness of the crisis situation in which the entire event industry found itself. Today, from 9 pm to 11 pm, thousands of locations around the world will light up in red, including the Zagreb and Pula Arena. The Croatian event industry consists of more than 2,000 business entities with more than 12,000 employees, and all of them were left without the opportunity to do their job overnight. Experts predict that it will be another year before the restart, so an urgent reaction is needed and the necessary measures must be taken so that the entire industry does not completely collapse. Every live event, from the smallest to the largest, has something in common. The hidden part of this living mechanism without which the production as a whole, or the whole event would not be possible to realize – are people. These are talented professionals who stand "behind the curtain" and who are completely dedicated to their work and create that unforgettable wow effect. These are audio engineers, lighting designers, video masters, system designers, loudspeaker technicians, video technicians, lighting technicians, backline technicians, stage builders, energy technicians, riggers, deminers, stagehands, runners, roadies, stage managers, production and hospitality managers, directors, logistics coordinators, promoters, caterers, drivers, employees in numerous event and booking agencies, security guards who have been on their knees for months, with no income and no prospects.

Affected are concerts , festivals , theaters , fairs, congresses and many other events that either cannot work at all or can work with numerous restrictions and in a drastically reduced audience capacity which in practice prevents work and creates huge financial losses.

The Croatian event industry consists of 2,000 business entities with more than 12,000 employees, and generates HRK 4.5 billion in turnover annually. With the outbreak of the pandemic, they experienced a complete closure, and after 6 months of stagnation, the situation is still not improving and it is predicted that it will take at least another year to recover and start. Without the possibility of income and with immeasurable losses, the entire industry is on the verge of complete collapse and an urgent reaction of the Government of the Republic of Croatia is necessary.

Tonight, take a look at the Zagreb and Pula Arena

"We can't do what we love and what we do best. Our special knowledge and skills, valued in the event industry, outside of it don’t mean much to us. The moment has come when we, the people "behind the curtain" of live events, need to stand in front of that curtain and be loud. We are here – we need help and support. Without help and support, now and immediately, the question is whether we will still be there when bigger live events can start again. That's why we are joining the Red Alert: We Make Events initiative, which will highlight thousands of locations around the world in red today. In this way, we want to make the Government aware, but also the general public about the situation we are in. "- said Zoran Biškupić, director of Promologistika doo

No live event is a spectacle without an audience, participants who give that last emotion. Now we need you to be our voice, our strength, our lobbyists. Whether you work in the event industry or just love live events, support us, join us, become a dear photo from an unforgettable live event, blush, share, like, all with the hashtag #WeMakeEvents

Today, from 9 pm to 11 pm, thousands of locations around the world will light up in red, including the Zagreb and Pula Arena.

The Government of the Republic of Croatia has also been sent the most necessary measures to save the event industry

The Association of Music Managers and Organizers sent to the Government of the Republic of Croatia a proposal of the most necessary measures to save the Croatian event industry, following the example of similar moves by many other European countries, and they are:

Extension of CES measures for preserving jobs for the event industry, until March 2021. Opening of new favorable credit lines for working capital, for entrepreneurs in the event industry following the example of HAMAG's COVID-19 loan Reducing the VAT rate on tickets to 5% or …