An Industry in Crisis
In 2020, as COVID-19 forced shutdowns and halted live entertainment tours, independent entertainment venues nationwide faced a bleak prospect for survival.
Congress’s initial $2.2-trillion economic stimulus package budgeted only 0.01% of funding for the arts, and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was not designed to help small businesses that rely on large gatherings. Small, independent venues would struggle to pay rent, salaries and other expenses, affecting both the entertainment industry and Main Street businesses across the country.
Getting the Band Together
With the industry’s livelihood at stake, a small group of independent businesses joined forces to launch the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and seek additional government assistance.
In a matter of weeks, the group grew to nearly 3,000 member venues and promoters who were ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. But, as a new group, NIVA was unknown to Congress, lacked lobbying experience and needed help to stand out among the many industries seeking assistance. They called on Akin for guidance and advocacy, reaching out to Casey Higgins, senior counsel at Akin, who spearheaded an all-out team effort.
Grassroots Energy Plus Congressional Know-How
To build bipartisan support, Akin crafted a message that would appeal as much to towns and small cities as to New York, Los Angeles and Austin. Our lawyers and advisors focused on the local economic impact of cancelled shows on tourism, retail, restaurants and other industries in addition to performers and venues.
NIVA members were the headliners in our efforts, calling on a ready-made fan base for grassroots advocacy. We trained the team and provided a Lobbying 101 guide to help them reach out to government officials and members of Congress. “We didn’t give them a fish, we taught them to fish,” said Akin partner Ed Pagano.
At the same time, Casey, Ed and other members of our lobbying & public policy practice worked with colleagues on Capitol Hill to draft the Save Our Stages (SOS) Act, which would provide long-term federal assistance to shuttered independent venues. We joined forces with groups like the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), which shared NIVA’s struggles and needs. And we enlisted the support of key legislators on both sides of the aisle.
The Stage Lights Stay On
Introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Cornyn (R-TX), SOS garnered 57 cosponsors in the Senate and more than 170 in the House. It was passed in December 2020 as part of a $900-billion stimulus bill.
⎼Adam Hartke, co-chair of NIVA’s Advocacy Committee