ABOUT ECONOMIC
BRIDGE COALITION

Representing approximately $1.2 trillion in total economic activity, the Economic Bridge Coalition (EBC) is a group of seventeen trade associations with members that do business across a broad spectrum of the U.S. economy. While these businesses are diverse, they have one thing in common: the ability of people to gather is a key requirement of their business model. In addition, EBC-member companies are predominantly small businesses with fewer than 500 employees that have been especially hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, and the necessary gathering restrictions that went along with it. 

 

Businesses represented by the EBC have been unable to generate significant revenues for almost a year and a half. The vast majority of these businesses lost 50-100% of their revenues beginning with the second quarter 2020 and continuing through the second quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2019 and 2020. Most of these businesses are not likely to see revenues return to pre-pandemic levels until late third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2021. That time of the year signals the end of peak season for many EBC-member businesses, which means they will be looking to 2022 before they are able to have a full season of normal economic activity.  The continuing spread of the delta variant only adds additional uncertainty about the future for these businesses.

 

The goal of the coalition is to secure additional financial assistance that will allow businesses represented by EBC members to revitalize and reinvest operations following the prolonged disruption caused by government-mandated lockdowns and the lingering reluctance of people to attend large gatherings. Currently, programs such as SVOG and RRF, which offer grant assistance for businesses that were similarly impacted, do not apply to EBC-represented entities. With balance sheets destroyed by the pandemic, and shouldered with mountains of new debt, EBC-member companies have little access to capital from banks or other lending institutions. That is why Congress must establish and maintain a stable, long-term, industry-neutral capital fund within the U.S. Small Business Administration that will provide EBC-member companies access to capital in order to help and otherwise support these businesses as they rebuild and reemploy their workers using an objective revenue-loss test.

 

• American Horse Council (AHC) representing the $122 billion horse industry in the U.S.

• American Rental Association (ARA) representing the equipment and event rental industry.

• American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) representing photographers

• American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) representing travel agencies and advisors. 

• Custom Tailors and Designers Association (CTDA), the oldest continuously active trade association in the U.S. representing manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers in the industry.

• The Graphic Artist Guild representing graphic designers, illustrators, animators, cartoonists, comic artists, web designers, and production artists.

• International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) representing theme parks, family entertainment centers, museums, water parks, aquariums, and other attractions.

• International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) represents and facilitates agricultural fairs, exhibitions, and their stakeholders.

• International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) representing the nation’s air shows.

• Live Events Coalition (LEC) representing firms that produce and service live events.

• North American Nature Photography Association representing photographers

• National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) representing photographers and visual journalists

• National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) leading source for mountain-inspired recreation.

• Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) representing the mobile amusement industry.

• Professional Photographers of America (PPA) representing photographers

• Performance Racing Industry (PRI) representing motorsports professionals

• Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serving the motor vehicle aftermarket.