Live music and sports industries join forces with EU key decision-makers to plan for the reopening of European arenas as cultural and social hubs

08 December 2020 - Press release

 

• #AGameOfTwoHalves virtual conference hosted speakers from music, sport and the EU to discuss the need for a pan European approach to return of indoor live events.
• Leading industry figures discussed vital impact of arenas as the hub for live music, sport, culture, and societal wellbeing and how they can get back to business.
• The event was organised by the Arena Resilience Alliance (ARA), a special purpose group, created by the European Arenas Association (EAA) to demonstrate solidarity and the need for concerted action.

 

Leading names from music, sport and the EU came together for a virtual conference organised by the Arena Resilience Alliance (ARA) to open dialogue about the need for a pan European strategy for the return of live indoor events.

Live music and sport have been amongst the industries hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The #AGameOfTwoHalves conference made a case for the many reasons why it is crucial for arenas to reopen, and why a Europe wide set of protocols and measures will be vital to the success of any reopening strategy.

From the lively discussions throughout the event it was clear that all venue stakeholders, from staff, freelancers and players to third party contractors, performers, visitors and fans, are facing significant struggles as a result of the pandemic. A combination of financial hardship and mental health challenges are gripping both the live music and sport industries and need to be urgently addressed.

Throughout Europe, arenas are major local employers, crucial for national and regional tourism. They are also social spaces for local communities, families, friends and tourists alike. In addition, Arenas’ CSR programs offer education and training for disadvantaged young people and therefore play a crucial role in regard to social inclusion and societal wellbeing.

Commenting after the event, John Langford, President European Arenas Association said “Arenas play a crucial role in communities right across Europe. This event has opened important dialogue around why we need unified conditions that will allow music, culture and sports to return to arenas and enable arenas to reopen. We would like to thank our speakers for their valued contribution and for all of our industry colleagues for joining us. With continued discussion and collaboration, we will create a framework that will help us to rebuild these important industries.”

 

The Line-up

• The event featured addresses from a range of speakers including John Langford, President European Arenas Association; Tamas Szucs, Director for Culture and Creativity at the European Commission and a key note speech by Sam Tanson, Minister of Culture, Luxembourg as well as three lively panel discussions.
• The first panel session focused on sport and featured a discussion around ‘Aligning product and place: delivering a new fan experience’ with MEP, Tomasz Frankowski; Luca Scafati, Director, Business Operations, Euroleague; Szymon Szemberg, CEO, European Hockey Clubs Alliance and Ole Hertel, GM, Mercedes Benz Arena, Berlin.
• The second panel explored ‘why a pan-European approach is crucial for live music's return,’ with speakers, MEP, Monica Semedo; Herman Schueremans, CEO, Live Nation, Belgium; Olivier Toth, CEO, Rockhal, Luxembourg and Jason Danter, Production Manager/Director for artists such as Madonna, Lady Gaga and Iron Maiden.
• Closing the event, Gordon Masson, editor of IQ magazine hosted a discussion with ARA co-founders, Oliver Toth, CEO, Rockhal in Luxembourg, Robert Fitzpatrick, CEO, The Odyssey Trust, owners of The SSE Arena, Belfast and Adrian Doyle, Board Member, EAA around ‘The challenges ahead & what needs to be done to get back to business’.

All speakers agreed that the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic cannot be mastered by individual organisations alone. All arenas are in this together - from the smallest arena to the global operators - and the common focus going forward should be on business continuity, job security and protection of mental health of everyone involved.

Speaking after the event, Oliver Toth, CEO, Rockhal in Luxembourg said: “As we heard from our panel of esteemed speakers today, the arena sits at the hub of the live events ecosystem playing a vital role in bringing together all the major stakeholders. Through this event, the ARA has opened up important dialogue between arenas, the live music and indoor sports industries and key EU and national decision makers. It is crucial that we keep the momentum going and harness this opportunity to ensure we move forward with a Pan European approach to facilitate the safe return of live events.”

Robert Fitzpatrick, CEO, The Odyssey Trust, owners of The SSE Arena, Belfast added: “Up until six months ago, this industry had no lobby body in Europe. The ARA has been established to fill that void. There are many challenges that lie ahead, as we prepare for a return to live events and also work to protect the health and wellbeing of our people and the many stakeholders working with our industry. Speaking with one, unified voice, we can build regional and national frameworks, with international collaboration that will help us get back to business.”

The ARA’s #AGameofTwoHalves virtual conference was delivered in partnership with IQ Magazine. The event is available to watch again via the EAA You Tube Channel and Facebook page.

The ARA will host a follow up event in the new year, which will set concrete actions to drive a back to business strategy at an operational level.