The Events Production Industry Covid-19 Working Group (EPIC) has launched a National Awareness Week for the Live Entertainment and Event Industry in Ireland, taking place from today, September 14, until Sunday, September 20.

The organisers of the National Awareness Week are inviting the public to support those working in the sector by using the hashtag #ThisIsWhoWeAre on social media – raising awareness of the ongoing struggle in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over 35,000 workers are dependent on this vital commercial sector – which has been shut down since March 12.

"The non-funded live entertainment sector accounts for 90% of all the tickets sold in Ireland but does not have access to Arts Council funding," the organisers note in a statement about the campaign. "The wider events sector needs to be supported now or this industry worth €3.5 Billion Euro to the Irish Economy will be lost along with the brilliant SMEs and skilled workforce that has taken decades to cultivate."

This week is National Awareness Week of Support for the Event Industry. Please support us going forward as we navigate through these tough times. #ThisIsWhoWeAre pic.twitter.com/XsO2w6UppG

— eventplan.ie (@eventplan_ie) September 14, 2020

This week is national awareness week for the live entertainment & Event industry.

Everyone at Temple Bar TradFest supports all those that have been affected.#ThisIsWhoWeAre pic.twitter.com/sVptklruHz

— TradFest Temple Bar | #IrelandInMusic (@TempleBarTrad) September 14, 2020

That’s two decades of experience talking. One of the best tour, stage, production & people managers you’ll meet. The live industry can not afford to lose people like Ronan Murphy. #ThisIsWhoWeAre @Epic2020_Group https://t.co/XY2pMNVrZJ

— Shane Dunne (@ItsShaneDunne) September 13, 2020

Events Industry Staff: #thisiswhoweare
Security
Bands
Artists
Marquees
Furniture Hire
Stage design
Caterer
Electrican’s
Cleaners
Creative designers
Riggers
Technicians
Medics
Health and safety crew
Transport
Photographers
Videographers
And many more........🙏 https://t.co/LbIagkjUgO

— Jenny O'Flynn (@jennyoflynn) September 14, 2020

Today’s @Independent_ie. #ThisIsWhoWeAre represents the tens of thousands in a sector that’s been abandoned. Y’day’s “announcement” of a (previously allocated) €5m stimulus doesn’t cut the mustard for an industry first to close and last to reopen, with no roadmap or support. 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/xvUNke70W1

— Ireland / Laura (@ireland) September 10, 2020