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What's the business climate like in your neck of the woods?

So how has the economy hit you or your company so far? Is there some positive news out there, anywhere? Have you developed your own personal "stimulus package?"

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Permalink Reply by jeff on March 22, 2009 at 1:13am
I live in OHIO and things are defiantly slow during the winter but summer is my busiest time for me. i think with the economy the way it is. The best bet is to look for all smaller events such as local bands, djs , weddings, trade shows i know its not like a 4,000 + show but it defiantly helps to keep the company up i actually just started a dj business i work with all local djs from big to small so u have many to offer ( all variety ) for customers people always wants lights. So weather u do lights or not u still get a percentage it works out both ways if you have the lights, theirs actually alot to offer for many events big or small its all the same.. plus look for all kinds of festivals around the area you may only get a few per year but its better than nothing. you defiantly have to work with customers budgets right now due to the economy. the more u work with your customers with all budgets the more business u could get in the future bye referrals.. that is a big plus for your company to keep the gigs going. that's my opinion..

for all freelancers it is very hard right now if u can afford a small lighting setup and or big set that may be your best bet and go out on your own locals are always looking for some kind of lights for smaller event and or big. that way if your not freelancing you could still have a little extra income coming in till your next gig.
that's how i got started at the age of 17 i am now 25 and i have my own business doing all types of events from small to big. if you have a big dream you have to fight and never give up keep pushing. All small events add up and soon you will be doing bigger shows and increasing your gear.. BUT NEVER GIVE UP..........
Permalink Reply by Thomas Thoman on March 22, 2009 at 3:16pm
Hi all,
Our crews here in Cincinnati are also feeling the corporate pinch. Our arts orginizations are all suffering. New contracts are all give backs, but the pros here are all comitted to helping them out. We have long standing relationships that we want to maintain. If they go under, so do we.
Just had the USITT convention here so some of the guys were very busy. Plenty of members also took advantage of classes, so there was lots of work around for the week. The convention future looks scaled back for the next couple of years, there are however a couple of big jobs so hopefully we will all get through.

Carlos Manuel Simoes said:
Hello from Portugal
First I hope you all know where this is; it is said that the average american cant distinguish Portugal froim spain.

Beyond that, we are living in a globalized environment, so as already seen through all the earlyer statements, it is pretty bad in all economy areas. Also her in Portugal as well as in teh rest of europe. Lets hope we will overcome this crises fast.
Permalink Reply by Scott Payne on March 23, 2009 at 7:00am
In Dallas' Whatch out for a Dallas Stage Right. They dont pay. Its been 3 mounths in ticking
Permalink Reply by Randell Gillespie on March 23, 2009 at 10:52pm
whatch out ...
mounths in ticking ...

what?
Permalink Reply by Jason Bailey on March 24, 2009 at 11:54pm
I work for a major company in the tradeshow/corporate events and Meetings world. The primary shift I've seen is the use of local leads. If a client (or my company even) can use someone locally that they like or trust, why pay for travel, hotel, per diem.... And the odd thing about this industry, especially with the Association shows, is that they make their 3 to 5 year circuit around the country, so I won't see the same show again for another 3 years. That can account for what seems like a lack of shows in cities like Orlando, Anaheim, SD, SF...

Also, I've recently heard horror stories about certain east-coast facilities and their respective unions. If they don't want the business, they're making all the right moves! How many of us are in a position to tell a client or production manager to stay far away from a certain venue or city? (Lest they endure massive head aches and outrageous labor costs).
Permalink Reply by Justin Lang on March 25, 2009 at 12:33pm
The Committee on Education and Labor is holding a hearing tomorrow, March 26 on "The Economic and Employment Impact of the Arts and Music Industry".

You can read more about this hearing and future hearings on this issue here:
http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/
Permalink Reply by Bill Cronheim on March 25, 2009 at 1:24pm
I'm looking forward to reading the results of the meeting.

Here in eastern Virginia (think Chesapeake Bay) my area is very rural and a major portion of my busness is tourism related. One of the major resorts has reported corporate bookings are down 60%. Not looking to good.

Some of the churches on the other hand are looking for up-grades to their sound systems.

Our on-line and retail sales are down at least 60% from last year.
Permalink Reply by Jeremy Ellwood on April 1, 2009 at 12:28pm
Business climate in Michigan is "extremely arid". It's a 'take what you can get' economy right now.
Permalink Reply by Len Woelfel on April 1, 2009 at 9:05pm
I'm happy to report that my segment is doing very well, but the wedding and special event industry is a bit more recession-proof. And a big ticket show for me is still small potatoes for most companies. Plus, I think even the corporations that are doing well are avoiding the appearance of spending money, and are scaling back regardless whether they need to or not.

I do occasional work at a 1,500 seat theater near me, and their calls have been few and far between in the past year.
Permalink Reply by Jeremy Ellwood on April 2, 2009 at 2:38am
Len Woelfel said:
I'm happy to report that my segment is doing very well, but the wedding and special event industry is a bit more recession-proof. And a big ticket show for me is still small potatoes for most companies. Plus, I think even the corporations that are doing well are avoiding the appearance of spending money, and are scaling back regardless whether they need to or not.

I do occasional work at a 1,500 seat theater near me, and their calls have been few and far between in the past year.

I was doing Big Event and General Session work in Arizona. Lost my job there due to differences with the big guy (long story short, he thought lighting design was to grab a light and point it), so now I'm back in Michigan... searching... searching... searching. I'm trying to get back into the theatre, but there's not much here for that. The most I have been able to do is some volunteer work to keep my skills up.
You near the Michigan border and need another hand? hehe
Permalink Reply by Len Woelfel on April 2, 2009 at 6:01am
We're in Chicago and work all over the midwest (wherever the work is). But most of the stuff we do is small, 1 - 2 person crews. A big crew for me is 4. But I'll add you to the list.
Permalink Reply by Stig Runar Solli on April 9, 2009 at 11:56am
Im working fulltime for Hove Lysdesign in Stavanger, Norway. Last year was best year ever for us. We were the European culture city of the year along with Liverpool. And when it turned 2009 everything just stopped. There comes up things now and then and it looks like it is starting to build up but its not like earlier. Except installations in clubs, schools and theatres. We have lots of sale and installations.

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