SFA welcomes comprehensive package for the Event Sector

The Small Firms Association (SFA), the leading voice for small business, has welcomed the announcement from An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister Catherine Martin of a €11.5 million scheme to help companies working in the events sector with their fixed costs, but cautioned that concerns in the sector remain around reopening timelines.
Speaking after the launch, SFA Senior Executive, Stephen Browne said: “The event industry is gratified to see that the Government has announced this package for an industry where the vast majority did not qualify for CRSS, and have been subjected to much of the brunt of Covid disruption.

“While most of the experience economy has been given clear guidance and timelines on reopening the events industry has been left without anything. It is imperative as we move beyond the summer that the Government engage with stakeholders and state agencies to put guidance in place. This is an industry that has vast experience with all matters concerning health and safety compliance – scanning and verifying vaccine certs would not pose an issue as a short-term solution similar to the Hospitality sector.”

Mr. Browne concluded: “The event industry is ready to engage with Minister Varadkar, Minister Martin and their officials to discuss ways forward which we hope can engage a dialogue for a safe reopening of the sector. It is important to note that the Northern Irish Executive approved the restart of trade fairs and exhibitions as well as the UK along with the vast majority of other European countries.”