BUSINESS NEWS
2 • July 2020
Coast River Business Journal
Publisher’s Notebook
July 2020 Matt Winters
Covid downtime offers perfect opportunity for a re-set
E
vent after event has been canceled this year to slow
the spread of coronavirus, leaving our streets less
congested by traffic, more weekends and evenings
free, and many bank accounts less congested with
money. Those who have become jaded about our
coast’s festivals, plays, concerts and other events are
getting a year to find what life — and the economy — are like
without them.
It is safe to say some events — I won’t opine about which —
really are little but thinly veiled tourist traps few would miss. A
few others that once had a solid foundation have perhaps sauntered
along to the point when it’s time to assess whether there genuinely
is enough volunteer and participant interest to justify continuing
on. Others still have such strong roots in local heritage, culture or
contemporary life as to remain unquestionably valuable. The best —
FisherPoets Gathering is an example in Clatsop County, Rod Run in
Pacific County — exude legitimacy and generate enthusiasm.
Ongoing buy-in on the part of volunteers is at least as important
as interest from the general public in sustaining annual and seasonal
events. Gradual erosion of interest in clubs, fraternal organizations,
recreational sports leagues and other organized activities outside
the home has been a subject of much sadness and discussion.
Explanations range from loss of social cohesion as Baby Boomers
pass from the scene, to stricter enforcement of impaired-driving
laws, to the explosion in televised entertainment and electronic
games. A person really has to feel some personal passion — or
expectation of fun, money or companionship — to devote days to
helping plan and carry out a typical coastal festival.
While attendees only have to invest hours, not days, to attending
events, they too have many more entertainment options and
demands on their time and money. We must consistently try to
view local events through objective eyes: Would we ourselves be
thrilled to attend? If not, we should be doing something else. This
coronavirus summer — and the months beyond — will test the
ability of businesses to survive. In that sense, there may be a renewed
motivation to plan events that offer added value to potential visitors
planning family vacations at the coast. A number of local festivals
sprang up decades ago with that motive.
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Depending on how the pandemic continues to unfold, medium
and large events may be out of the question for another year or
more. Even once conditions are technically safe again, this scary
experience may have a long-term impact on attendance at indoor
events of any kind and outdoor activities if they entail much close
contact with strangers.
These coming months are a perfect opportunity for event
organizers and their funders to seriously plan. In a few cases, they
may continue on with little adjustment. Other events ought to fade
away. The most important question is whether there are new local
adventures we can be excited about. We should have fewer, better
events more tightly focused on our area’s key attractions. These are
the ocean and seashore, the Columbia River estuary, Willapa Bay,
our remarkably talented and diverse people, our deep historical
and cultural legacies. We should boldly develop and promote
local food, drink and arts. We should forge strong cross-cultural
connections with local tribes.
It’s time for a re-set. Let’s think of things we can be in love with
doing.
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