WASHINGTON, DC — Bandit Lites chair Michael Strickland notes that as they await some good news from Washington, DC, members of the live events industry can act in tangible ways to push for a favorable outcome. On Aug. 10, he had two recommendations: to sign their names on a call to action issued by Howard Schultz, chairman emeritus at Starbucks, and to support the RESTART Act by contacting representatives in Congress.
More details from Michael T. Strickland of Bandit Lites (www.banditlites.com):
There are two call to actions today. They are very urgent and we need you to forward this to everyone you can. Time is short.
First, we need as many people as possible to sign onto the letter from Howard Schultz from Starbucks.
The deadline is Wednesday August 12 at 5:30 PM EDT.
A PDF version of the letter can be found HERE.
And here is the link: www.helpsmallbusinessesnow.com
Please note there is a place across the top in blue as well as the box on the right side to sign the letter.
Second, we need you to e-mail your Congresspeople and Senators and ask them to please support and cosponsor RESTART. To download a PDF explaining RESTART, CLICK HERE.
To find the e-mail address of your Congresspeople and Senators if you do not have them, go to:
https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
Here is a sample letter. Feel free to modify it to meet your needs.
Dear XXXX,
The Live Event Industry has been at zero income since March 13 and will be until well into 2021.
The complete lack of income has been and will continue to be destroying the people, the firms and the industry.
This was caused by the COVID 19 situation and the ongoing forced shutdown of all venues and large gatherings.
The original round of PPP was vital and appreciated but that was depleted long ago.
It is imperative that Congress provide vital funding to assure that the entirety of the Live Event Industry survive.
I kindly request that you both support and cosponsor the RESTART Act.
This Act, or something like it, must pass immediately as most individuals and firms are long since out of money.
This cannot wait another 2 weeks.
I would urge you to consider passing RESTART as a clean bill to save American Small Businesses.
I wish to thank you in advance for your consideration and support for the Live Event Industry, and indeed all such affected small businesses.
Thank you for everything you have done for our country, it is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Phone
Once again, thank you all for your efforts,
-Michael T. Strickland, Chair and Founder, Bandit Lites
