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MillimeterAV Organizations Pulling Together for Katrina Relief
Oct 13, 2005 8:00 AM
Hurricane Katrina has left a significant part of the pro-AV industry reeling — with integrators, dealers, hotels, rental firms, and others struggling not only to get their own businesses back in operation, but also to rebuild their future business in a devastated market.
The New Orleans Convention Center isn’t expected to reopen until the end of March 2006. Dozens of conventions, large and small, have relocated elsewhere, and many major hotels are out of the meeting business until further notice. The International Association of Exhibition Management is even offering a relocation assistance service to show managers who need new sites in a hurry.
Such mainstay events as the Nokia Sugar Bowl have moved elsewhere, and although the city says it’s determined to have Mardi Gras as usual...who knows?
All of these factors impact the pro-AV business. Replacing damaged inventory, re-opening offices, and keeping staff on salary are just part of the challenge, industry sources say.
For the short term, InfoComm International, NSCA, and CEDIA have all launched relief and recovery efforts for their members. Dues waivers and emergency financial assistance are typical provisions. CEDIA is suspending certification and re-cert requirements through 2006 and refunding registration fees to people unable to attend its EXPO. InfoComm is offering both a relief fund to its member companies and a scholarship relief fund to help members’ employees’ kids continue their educations.
The three associations have joined in launching a relief portal offering help with job referrals, office relocations, housing, and disaster recovery tips, along with a bulletin board where companies can post the latest news about their status, operations, and needs.
“We’ve spoken with most of our members that are in the affected region directly,” says InfoComm International Executive Director Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D. “Most have temporarily relocated their headquarters elsewhere in the region, with plans to rebuild close to where they were prior to the storm. Others have shifted their operations to other cities outside the region where they were already doing business. The members we have heard from are optimistic about their future. Although there has been a loss of convention business, there is also a lot of opportunity for new installations as New Orleans rebuilds.”
InfoComm says it has reached its goal of $100,000 in relief donations by its members and association staff. InfoComm will match these contributions by 10 percent with a donation of $10,000 to the Red Cross.
“More than 75 companies and InfoComm employees gave more than $100,000 to various charities including the Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Love Our Children USA, the Humane Society, and others,” InfoComm says. “Companies and individuals gave whatever they could, with contributions ranging from $25 to $18,000.”
At CEDIA, Executive Director Billilynne Keller says the association is encouraging its manufacturer members to “waive interest payments on past-due invoices and offer extended credit terms for a grace period through Sept. 1, 2006; replace damaged gear with extended terms for showroom and warehouse product until insurance issues can be resolved; and any other creative mechanisms that can assist in the survival and rebuilding of our affected members’ businesses.”
With financial aid, extended credit terms, and other tools, these national organizations are helping their members bounce back from an almost unimaginable natural disaster. But the real recovery won’t come until the customers come back — holding conventions, buying home theaters, staging concerts, and doing all the other things the pro-AV industry exists to support.
How far in the future that recovery may lie is still quite unclear.
Continue the discussion on Crosstalk the Millimeter Forum.