Ken Kuespert didn’t have a whole lot of hair to begin with when 2020 arrived on the doorstep, but you certainly can’t blame him if he’s got a lot less after literally pulling his hair out over the cards the pandemic has dealt his industry not only here in Michigan’s Great Southwest, but across the nation and beyond.
Kuespert owns and operates TPC Technologies, based in Niles, but active all across the region. To say that the pandemic has been really hard on his industry would be a classic understatement. His was the first industry to be shutdown, and will be the last to return to work. He is in the entertainment industry, helping thousands host everything from movies in the park to major concerts indoors and out. Even that just scratches the surface of his team’s work and capabilities.
Ken tells me, “Cancellations started in February of 2020 and now range all the way out to February of 2023 and are still pouring in.” He adds, “My friends affected aren’t football players living in mansions, they are lighting designers, audio technicians, video directors, electricians, riggers, camera operators, promoters, tour managers, production managers, and so many more. These people are my friends, and they are all struggling to pay bills, pay rent, and get food. They are highly skilled and their entire industry was taken out from under their feet.”
Kuespert, who under any other circumstances always has a smile on his face is devastated with the current state of affairs. Reflecting on his crews and crews elsewhere in the business he says, “These are some of the hardest-working, most diligent, professional, and selfless people I know. They work long hours, they work sometimes literally behind the curtain doing show after show without a compliment or pat on the back. If they do their job right you will never know it, however, if they make a mistake it’s publicized all over the Internet. They represent more than a science of electronics and software, and hardware. They are artists, doing their best to create some of the most amazing atmospheres and events while all the credit goes to the promoters and venues.”
Because of the widespread impact to the entertainment industry, key players all across the country issued what they called a “Red Alert” last night, and lit up venues, offices, arenas and more in red light to draw attention and show support.
As you can see in the photo Ken has shared with us, his office and warehouse in Niles were bathed in red last night, as they promoted with hashtags of #RedAlert and #WeMakeEvents.
On a national scale, they dubbed it, We Make Events North America, saying, “We want to light 1,500 locations in RED to show the country and members of congress that we need their support!” Organizers report, “In February of this year, our industry began a complete shut down. Since that time:
- Thousands of events have been cancelled…
- 77-percent of the people in our industry have lost 100-percent of their income…
- 96-percent of companies have cut staff…
- 97-percent of 1099 workers have lost their jobs…
They report, businesses are failing under a lack of income and economic pressure, and that the supply chain has been completely devastated under the weight of cancellations and unknown futures.
The organizers add, “Our message is clear…Red Alert RESTART. Get the RESTART act pushed through the Senate and restart our businesses…and extend unemployment help for our displaced workers with www.ExtendPUA.org.” You can learn more online at http://WeMakeEvents.org
