Jamaican Entertainment Industry Leaders Collaborate For Reopening Solutions

On June 14, 2020, a cross-section of industry leaders and stakeholders in Jamaica met and coalesced efforts to coin pragmatic suggestions for a safe phased reopening of the entertainment industry; creating a detailed plan that seeks to guide the entertainment industry back on its feet after a three month COVID-19 pause of the sector. The meeting included members of the cultural, creative, and entertainment arena, including fashion, artists, theatre, dance, sound system & Dj’s, bar & nightclub owners, events, festivals, and service providers.

“Whenever there are issues in the industry we are always scrambling at the last minute to meet and find solutions. We felt as if we needed to be proactive and take a unified step towards finding solutions. So instead of us waiting on the Ministry of Entertainment to tell us the new protocols, we met for three hours and put suggestions forward and hopefully they will be considered when the official protocols are published,” said Ibrahim “IB” Konteh, one of the meeting organizers and the marketing and communications lead for the popular Soca Forever and Strictly 2K.

“We are looking to complete this document in short order for the minister for consideration. We had health and safety professionals guiding the dialogue alongside medical doctors to ensure we are presenting a solid suggestion,” said Konteh.  

In supporting the call for an entertainment association, Director Supreme Team Limited and Organizer of Sandz and Vacae Weekend, Andrew Ellis praised the meeting for its success while he underscored its effectiveness in facilitating a forum for positive change within the industry.

“I believe the meeting was very productive and is the right step in creating a body that represents the Entertainment & Events Industry. The various areas of the industry that were represented in the discussion gives signs of encouragement that our industry is ready for a meaningful change, one that represents us as a collective so the needs and wants of all players are heard and discussed in the right forums,” he said.

“Having a unified voice lends more credibility to our issues and suggestions, and also presents the opportunity to create a structure that can attract more help from the government and also possible investments from across the globe,” the promoter continued.

Managing Director for Barcode Jamaica, a bar service provider company, Kiebi Johnston said the pandemic has profoundly restructured the entertainment arena and as such industry leaders must create a platform to enable a formalized industry.

“The entertainment industry needs to have a formal entity to liaise with the government because we need one voice to advocate on the stakeholder’s behalf. This needs to be a cohesive effort to represent one voice. Overall, not just for the re-opening there needs to be a formal association or council to assist in the representation of the industry and our needs to the government and also for the process of improving and formalizing the industry in the future,” The managing director said.

With the input of entertainment stakeholders, a coalition aimed at the smooth resurfacing of the beloved billion-dollar industry, industry leaders have recognized the importance of establishing a unified association geared towards supporting each other.

 “One event not only puts food on the table for the owners of a venue, party suppliers but also indirectly creates income for jerk chicken man, food vendors, clothing stores, hair and makeup, barbershops and more,” said Konteh.

“It’s a good look to be at this meeting because Covid-19 affects not just major shows, but also event promoters like myself which includes round robins, street dances and weekly events. The fact that we came up with some ideas, we look forward to dialogue with the minister and the wider public to show that we are taking this seriously and we care about their safety,” said Shanty owner of Star Flex Restaurant and Bar and president of Energy Satdez Round Robin.

In highlighting the need for a collective voice, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Jamaica Music Society (JAMMS), Evon Mullings said he is in full support of the idea of formalizing a union that represents the best interest of the ecosystem. 

“We are extremely pleased by this initiative of Entertainment Practitioners, in particular Event Promoters and allied services, to come together and forge a unified front in charting not only a safe way forward, in these COVID times, but to strategize on how to regain viability for the sector which has been devastated by the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19. JAMMS fully understands the critical and virtuous role that the music and entertainment industries play in the economy but more precisely their roles in facilitating livelihoods and income for thousands of ordinary Jamaicans, including our members,” he said.         

“At the core of our business model is the principle of building strong business relationships and so JAMMS stands ready to engage with organized industry bodies in a bid to work collectively, in getting the entertainment industry on a sound footing once again. As a national music copyright Licensing Body we are prepared to give our full and practical support to national and sectoral initiatives aimed at bringing the entertainment scene back to life, under the planned phased approaches,” he continued. 

As further discussions get underway, entertainment stakeholders and investors will utilize various methods in both traditional and new media to reach and inform the nation of its plan for a safe phased reopening of the entertainment industry.