I own an events company

[wellgood]

We are surviving. Just.

Can hopefully get through to spring. But if weddings / conferences are going to be off the table next winter then we really are fucked.

Whitty's comments about possible restrictions next winter made my blood run cold.

I keep thinking we are nearly there and then hope goes. I know for most people no big events for a few extra months is bearable but it's literally my life's work and income.

Struggling.

Not an AIBU more of a WTHWYD

What they hell would you do

I really feel for you, OP. I've been wondering how people in your industry are coping. How are you managing to survive...is it the government's financial packages?

I’m sorry. It’s tough. Really tough. I think normality will return but it will be a slower process than we would like. I also think we will turn round at some point in the next year and realise the worst has past without us really realising. Hang on in there.

@AKissAndASmile we are a partnership so not really. Few online events / webinars. Savings.

I thought 2021 would be better but a few months of events /weddings wouldn't be enough sadly.

I get you OP, I work in the travel industry so have similar worries. We've had no income since March and refunded millions that we made in 2019 and there's no real end in sight. I've clung on to my job so far but struggling to be optimistic right now.

@Watchingbehindmyhands I hope! Brides don't want a 15 or 30 person wedding, and the uncertainty just means postponement after postponement whilst remaining up beat to clients!

Hoping for the vaccine. DH runs an event production company, he has picked up a bit of work installing video equipment but his hire kit is growing dusty in the warehouse. Likely to furlough staff again soon. It's like we are the forgotten industry isn't it?

I supply talent to events company and I had the same reaction. I am a solo sole trader.

3 or 4 clients are doing virtual or remote tv/radio but not sustainable without finding 4 more at same or higher level to replicate (not easy and homeschooling) and pivot evolving.

Business is surviving but no spare cash to grow or develop.

I'm in the same boat. Haven't worked since September when my organisation couldn't afford to keep going (non profit) chance of a decent job in fundraising and events is close to zero

After the first lockdown, our friends who are in events started a business linking with a hot tub/bbq/garden furniture firm, so they delivered and assembled the bits. They managed to take advantage of summer demand to survive - could that be an option if you have facilities eg trucks?

I’m so sorry, I really feel for people in your situation it’s so rubbish!!

Do you have any equipment or things for small gatherings?

I saw someone had hired an igloo for a birthday meal with her family. All one household but I thought it was a lovely thing and a good way for companies to keep afloat. They supplied the igloo, table, decorations, food, mini heater etc.

Really feel for you. My friend is an outdoor instructor - DofE groups, ultra race safety, winter skills, mountaineering courses, private guiding for groups, scouts and guides outings, forest classes, and she can’t do any of this. She can’t even do her 1-2-1 private guiding as nobody is allowed to travel far enough for her to do her Lakes/Peaks/Snowdonia routes. She’s completely fallen apart this week - it’s another forgotten industry and the lack of support is jaw dropping.

I’m sure you’ve thought of this, but could you maybe tutor in something; richer but time-poor parents will take advantage of tutors at the moment.

Hi OP, I always think of the many people related to your industry, where business has forcibly come to almost a total standstill overnight. As well as an unfunded workforce, what about all those large venues that still incur the cost of being secured, insured and maintained for months on end, with practically zero income.

It's truly terrible and I have no suggestions, but lots of sympathy. We must allow these sectors to operate far more normally by spring.

OP me and dh also, musicians and entertainer.
We have managed with online teaching, doubt anything in the diary will happen this year.
We were in Devon the night before first lockdown, before we arrived in the NW everything had gone, life work and business.
So sorry.
Could you train to teach anything at college.
With your experience you could always teach modules/ units such as Arts and Entertainment, Heritage? Definitely customer service, Small business enterprises, Marketing.
Most of those are pretty generic to all service sector industries.

The ironic thing is this fast moving, resourceful, well organized industry is sitting idle watching the government bumbling around trying to organise temporary facilities, hospitals, testing and vaccination, schools, even that business with the lorries.

Similar boat, I do weddings, spent the last two months changing tactics and now sell other things too. Not as good as the money was for weddings but it’s keeping me above water.

Are you a venue? Can you hold mystery tours or do walk arounds or so thing when lockdown is finished?

You need to change tactics, never again will I just do weddings, best to have something to fall back on

Not quite as bad but I run a childcare business- in Scotland so we're closed. It's soul destroying

Could you coordinate online events? Promote and organise Xoom parties etc? Find entertainers who are also desperate for work?
Just a thought x

@NotMeNoNo contracts for cronies unfortunately.

OP DH is a contactor in the industry. Covid plus Brexit has been such a double whammy, he does (did?) a huge amount of his work in Europe. So its not even just a case of getting through the pandemic, its whatever mess Brexit has made of things as well.

I really feel for you, not sure what to suggest

There should be a boom in business once we’re past the worst 🤞

Can you hire out things to families only (households) to do special parties on their own? Especially for kids to make lockdown go faster? I realise that won't bring in huge bucks... but maybe something?

Thanks everyone. Have picked up bits and pieces here and there.

If we can get back on track from spring onwards I think we can hold on.

If not, will need to seriously think.

@LobotheBotanist there will be a bumper year in 2022 (if mine / other events and weddings business's make it that far 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻)

It’s shit op. My DH and I work in your industry. It’s so hard to keep the faith, but we have to. I’m just trying to live day by day and not worry about the winter just yet.

@CaptainSandy you are so right.