Local Event Organizers Appeal For Assistance
A large number of local events have been cancelled over the past year, and local event organizers said they “have looked on as Bermuda played host to a slew of large-scale events on behalf of international bodies,” and they are “very concerned” and explained they are “ready, willing and able to work with the Bermuda Government to breathe life back into the local event industry.”
Local Events Cancelled
A spokesperson said, “With hundreds of local events [Music Festivals, Live Concerts, Local Cultural Events, Parties, Bermuda Carnival, Cup Match] cancelled in the past year due to unprecedented uncertainty, the future of Bermuda’s Local Event Organizers looks bleak.
“These events inject millions of dollars into our local economy and support many small businesses. The ongoing Covid-19 [coronavirus] pandemic has wreaked havoc on the livelihoods, financial security and safety of many of our citizens who work in the event industry and denied people access to these entertainment and stress-relief outlets. This pandemic is proving to be the most devastating challenge ever faced by the local event industry and the creative community as a whole.
“In an attempt to safely meet this challenge head-on as the world slowly reopens, a number of Local Event Organizers submitted Covid-compliant large-scale event or special permit requests to the Bermuda Government via the Ministry of National Security.
Increasing Sense Of Frustration
“Unfortunately, instead of responses, the only outcome of these submissions has been an increasing sense of frustration with the current process and lack of communication.
“Over the past 13 months, these same Local Event Organizers have looked on as Bermuda played host to a slew of large-scale events on behalf of international bodies as well as the government, with the most recent one being Revolve.
Heartbreaking This Courtesy Not Extended To Local Event Organizers
“The Minister of Health has stated at the Bermuda Government’s press conferences that there have been joint weekly planning meetings and support given to these international event teams to ensure the safety of those attending and ultimately the event’s success. It is truly heartbreaking that this courtesy has not been extended to our Local Event Organizers.
“The same Local Event Organizers who have submitted requests and/or proposals have also been seeking advice, guidance, partnership and support from the Bermuda Government on an ongoing basis. Many were assured that they would receive a response to their proposals within a 30-day period but these time frames lapsed significantly without acknowledgement or feedback from the Government.
“In the few ‘successful’ cases, organizers have been able to engage in dialogue with the relevant government department only for the request to be denied within 24 hours of the event.
“The Ministry of National Security’s Exemption Technical Advisor has the rare distinction of being in communication with the Organizers and has been helpful throughout this process but regrettably, he does not make the final decisions around exemptions.
Event Organizers Are Very Concerned At This Point
“The event organizers are very concerned at this point and publicly reiterate that we stand ready, willing and able to work with the Bermuda Government to breathe life back into the local event industry.
“We are appealing for answers to the following questions: How can we improve our requests and thereby help stimulate the local economy? What are the hurdles/issues that we need to address for the Ministry of National Security?
“What separates our local event organizers from the international? Is there a preference for international event organizers over local? If not, why isn’t the same guidance and support provided to all organizers?
Event Organizers Of Bermuda Are Eager To Provide Safe Events
“The event organizers of Bermuda are eager to mobilize and provide safe, well-monitored and specially-engineered events/ gatherings to the people of Bermuda who are in desperate need of a “release.” We hope to hear from you in this regard.”
The statement was signed by Party People Entertainment, Nova Mas International, Code Red Bda, Wild Apache Promotions, and Off Level Bda
You can find more information on the links below and also on our dedicated website BermudaCovid.com, which is the most comprehensive resource and historic record available of Bermuda’s handling of the pandemic.
- All: Our coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic here
- Bermuda Stats: Chart of testing stats here
- Vaccinations: Data covering vaccinations here
- Live Updates: Continuous updates here.
Read More About
Category: All, Entertainment, News
Such a shame that our local promoters, entertainers, djs and musicians have had to cancel so many events. There is a clear difference is treatment between locals and expats. The local promoters, entertainers etc should file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission against the government departments who allowed the Revolve event to take place. The difference in treatment is a violation of human rights.
Human Rights Commission? No one has a ‘right’ to run an event. The Government, based on local policy which they set through legislation (law), is the administrator and enforcer of that policy/law.
@ John Beckensale, And Your Point is “WHAT EXACTLY”, Just so I don’t misinterpret what you are trying to say, Because just because Government has enacted restrictions under the Emergency Powers Act, Doesn’t Equate to it being Justified to serve Bermudians Unjustly.
So if you are in support of this Governments actions, you are just as off as they are and Bermudians have every right to do whatever they want from this point forward, forget about applying for exemptions and the young people do your raft up’s and parties whenever you want, now if that was the attitude we took, we would be hauled before the Courts.
So I would like to see these folk hauled before the Courts along with all those connected, not just the applicant. The Emergency Powers Act also should not be extended, “BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE A STATE OF EMERGENCY”.
The promoters have no pull or rights because 90% of them aren’t even legal entities. The organizations are actual companies not a bunch friends throwing parties
the
Gov’t is too lackadaisical when it comes to taking care of it’s own people. PERIOD! They want you to become criminals just to engage the Police. That gives credits and plaudits to the police for their activity.
Raft up, do whatever. That is the message. Foreigners do it. Too much hypocrisy shown by the Government to it’s own people. Trust? Out the window!! It is a dog eat dog world even in Bermuda.
Also, Gov’t workers could do much of the work that Gov’t needs done. But what do all the big wigs do? They contract it out to numerous contractors and pay a Lot More of your tax money to get it done. Next time you see any Gov’t workers standing on the road, it’s not their fault. It is their superiors that have put good moral ethics out the window. In other words, the top of the departments needs to be washed out. There are many good workers that don’t get training they desperately need or proper meetings and communication. It is very simple and yet so distant.
Take it from the inside. It has been happening for way to long.
Don’t expect any changes folks. You are dealing with Bermuda Government. Nobody outside this small insignificant country checks it. It is not worth anybody else’s time or especially their money.