CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) — Live concerts are still on hold as COVID-19 cases increase across the country, but with a vaccine on the horizon the entertainment industry is looking into the future.
One LA-based event company is reimagining how large gatherings will be. Marianne Herman founded reBUILD20 in the wake of the pandemic.
“We came together, after years and years of working with each other in other iterations this past July when we saw there was a real need for a way to help companies get back to work during the COVID-19 era and post COVID-19,” Herman said.
A report this week in Billboard suggested that Ticketmaster was developing a comprehensive COVID-19 testing plan that used smartphones to verify fans’ coronavirus vaccinations status.
While Ticketmaster said it doesn’t have immediate plans in place for future events, Herman supports having safe measures in place.
“I would think that any optic that shows people steps being taken to ensure their safety will help ease their fears,” said Herman.
Ticket officials said policies are up to the event organizer. Herman agrees that going back to concerts safely will take a layered approach.
“But the venues would also be able to give some assurances and show how they’re managing their sanitation and the use of PPE. Maybe some explanations about how their HVAC works,” Herman said.
Next month, the band Flaming Lips is set to perform in Oklahoma City where the audience will be watching from plastic bubble.
Herman believes her industry will look different going forward but says Americans will one day buy a ticket post COVID-era with confidence.
