HOW THE HOME SHOWS (BILD) ARE ADVOCATING FOR YOU

Upon consulting with our BILD Advocacy team, these are the next steps in our attempt to secure relief for you, and for the show.

Click here for the full update!

These are the three main programs our vendors might be interested. The last program has recently replaced the Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit.

As you’ve likely heard, the Government of Canada has launched several programs to help businesses grapple with the circumstances and impacts of COVID-19. A few that may be of particular interest to businesses such as yourself are below.

Providing Small Business with Wage Subsidies
The Government is providing eligible small employers a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months. The subsidy will be equal to 10% of remuneration paid during that period, up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. Businesses will be able to benefit immediately from this support by reducing their remittances of income tax withheld on their employees’ remuneration.

Access to Funding and Credit
The Government has established a Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to provide more than $10 billion of additional support, largely targeted to small and medium-sized businesses, through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC). What you need to know about the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP):

• Businesses seeking support through BCAP should first contact their financial institutions for an assessment of their situation.
• Financial institutions will refer to EDC and BDC their existing clients whose needs extend beyond what is available through the private sector alone.

These new measures aim to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 on business activity and complement services offered by other financial institutions. It’s recommended you speak with your current financial provider with regard to both BCAP funding and programs they may be initiating.

Support for People who are Sick, Quarantined, or in Directed Self-isolation (The new Canada Emergency Response Benefit)
The Government will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to:

• workers who must stop working due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
• workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
• working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures.
• workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
• wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.

We would again like to extend our apologies for the closure of the Home Show, The Big One on Thursday March 12th just ahead of opening, due to the rapidly developing COVID-19 situation. Never in the 99-year history of BILD has the operation of our not for profit association been so badly impacted.

We promised to update you today regarding the question you all have surrounding money and reimbursements. We’re disappointed to tell you that due to the chaos and changing environment around us we have not been able to get hold of all the parties we need to define our plan. Thus, we remain in a state of waiting to assess our current position and obligations. As a not-for-profit trade association and having spent millions of dollars on pre-event media and preparation for the show for opening, the potential of any profit from this show has been eliminated and in fact creates a significant debt situation. We are in a similar position to many of you and trying to get answers.

We fully understand that this is frustrating for you, and that you want answers – as do we.  We are however hopeful to have the last critical pieces of information in the next day or two. As soon as we have this, we can share our plan with you and provide you with the answers you are looking for. We take pride in the value we place in our relationship with you, and know all to well the burden of bills, staff, overheads etc.

Clearly, we understand that the uncertainty of this situation is not what you would like to hear. Our sincerest apologies for this delay, and thank you again for your patience.

In the meantime, here’s what we are doing:

In an effort to drive business to our partners throughout this unprecedented event, we will be sending emails to our consumer database and initiating several social media campaigns. Both of these tactics will reference how the local economy is impacted by the closure of events such as ours and encourage consumers to source services and products via our vendor directory. We kindly ask that you double check your listing and make any required updates. If you are unsure of how to do that, instructions are AVAILABLE HERE. Please check your junk email if need to reset your password.

Additionally, we have captured video content of displays still up during the week. We invite you to send a short :30 second introductory video to your business. To keep things easy, the video can be shot using your phone. Once recorded, please forward to sales@bildgta.ca. These videos will be included in the emails mentioned above and on social media.

Again, we are very sorry for the situation we all find ourselves in and the delay.

A full list of move out times can be found by CLICKING HERE. Going forward, we will be sending a status update each morning regarding move out. All emails will be sent from exhibitorforms@bildgta.ca.

Why are you sending daily updates?
Last night, the City of Toronto suspended all non-essential services as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Enercare Centre is a property of the City of Toronto and it’s status remains unchanged at this time. We will continue to monitor updates from the city and communicate them to you as required. CLICK HERE to read the update from the City of Toronto.

I have already moved out or changed my move out time?
We are doing our best to segment email communications. Please disregard the move out time if you have already made separate arrangements directly with us.

What is happening with regard to fees paid for booth space?
This is an extremely valid concern and we will address this separately from these move out instructions to give it the attention it requires. Our first mandate is everyone’s safety and property, therefore we need to coordinate the move out as expediently as possible.

Please stay tuned for a move out status update tomorrow morning.

Click here to download the Move-out Schedule.

Approved changes are not noted on this list. Please watch for daily email updates from us. If you are not receiving the daily updates, please check your junk/span folder.

Toronto, March 12, 2020 – In light of the direction announced late this afternoon by the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health we are immediately closing the Home Show – The Big One in compliance with the province’s direction to help reduce possible risk regarding the spread of Covid-19/Corona Virus.

In the 70 year history of the National Home Show and Toronto Home Shows, this is the first time we have had to suspend operations and underscores the importance of the measures being undertaken by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Attendees who have already purchased tickets will be notified by email of the cancellation.

Home Show staff will contact exhibitors as soon as possible with more information.

We recognize that there has been broad media coverage today regarding the cancellation of certain sporting events.

While the COVID-19 outbreak is a global health concern, the situation at the local level varies from city to city and province to province which is why it is important to follow the direction of the local authority having jurisdiction over public health

The Home Show takes its direction Toronto Public Health who continues to advise Torontonians that the risk is low.  And will have a press briefing at 3pm today regarding mass gatherings. (update following)

The Home shows has been in regular contact with TPH, have taken many proactive measures following the guidance of TPH, have established protocols and will continue with the show as planned

Yesterday’s statement from Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health, on COVID-19 situation in Toronto “In general, large gatherings with transient interactions including walking by a person who may be infected COVID-19 or briefly being in the same room with that person are considered a low risk”. Click here to read the statement.

We will continue to provide daily updates to exhibitors and will remain in close contact with TPH as required.

Summary of Today’s Situation

• We have been in regular contact with the Office of the City Manager and Toronto Public Health and as of now there is no change to the risk status in the GTA and the Show will continue.
• We will continue to follow the advice and guidance of the regulatory authority having jurisdiction for public health in the City of Toronto, Toronto Public Health and we will be providing daily updates to show exhibitors
• As per the March 11 statement from Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health, on the COVID-19 situation in Toronto “In general, large gatherings with transient interactions including walking by a person who may be infected COVID-19 or briefly being in the same room with that person are considered a low risk”. Click here to read the full statement.

The pandemic label – what does it mean?

World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has confirmed that the coronavirus outbreak is now a pandemic

The WHO defines a pandemic as “the worldwide spread of a new disease.” The determination is based on the geographic spread of a disease, the severity of illnesses it causes, and its effects on society.

The last WHO defined pandemic was H1N1 in 2009 and the Home show operated through that.

‘Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by the virus,” Tedros said. “It doesn’t change what WHO is doing. And it doesn’t change what countries should do.

Statement of risk from Toronto Public health as of 10:30 March 11 is:

As of March 11, 2020, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is monitoring 18 positive cases of the novel coronavirus: COVID-19 in Toronto. To date, there have been four other confirmed cases reported in Toronto. All four of these people have since recovered from their illness. TPH continues to work with our provincial and federal health colleagues along with airports in response to this situation. At this time the virus is not circulating locally, however given the global circumstances, TPH is actively working with City and health partners to plan for the potential of local spread.

Worth Reading

• Strictly by the numbers, the coronavirus does not register as a dire global crisis

Monday, March 11 – Show Site Pics

Move-in continues with another busy day on the Show floor.

Today’s update will be done following a Media Briefing by the Chief Medical Officer of Health at 2pm.

Current Situation
Toronto Public Health (TPH) is monitoring 17 positive cases of the novel coronavirus: COVID-19 in Toronto. To date, there have been four other confirmed cases reported in Toronto. All four of these people have since recovered from their illness. TPH continues to work with our provincial and federal health colleagues along with airports in response to this situation. Overall the threat to the general public still remains low.

Our Efforts
An email was distributed to primary booth contacts yesterday. A copy of that email can be found online here. There were a number of questions in response to the email. In an effort to be as transparent as possible, we’ve posted the most common questions (and answers) below.

Q – The update that was sent appeared vague in addressing key issues like potential cancellation and recourse thereafter.

A – The vagueness is a reflection of the situation we find ourselves in as each scenario will likely dictate a different outcome, which will involve multiple parties.  At this point it’s unlikely that the event will be closed, but should we be advised otherwise by Toronto Public Health we will need to take stock of where we are and what it means for everyone at that time.  It’s highly unlikely that refunds will be issued as we have already committed to renting the venue, securing media and promotion etc., however this will be need to be determined following the show closure.

Q – Finding hand sanitizer is proving to be difficult what measures have you taken?

A – We have worked with the building to ensure additional sanitization stations and are constantly trying to source more product.  We did place an order for a small bottle for every exhibitor but this has still not arrived and we are now concerned about its delivery date.  We will continue to look for more product and suggest you bring what you are able to along with surface wipes.

Q – What happens if someone presents flu-like symptoms at the shows?

A –   First aid and a nurse will be onsite and available to provide medical assistance to any individuals in medical distress.
– We have an isolation station for individuals with flu like symptoms, this station has a screening protocol in place.
– At this time, any testing for COVID-19 is being managed by local hospitals
– If required, an ambulance will be called and the person will be transferred for additional care
– We will always defer to the professional health agencies on such matters.

Tuesday, March 10 – Show Site Pics

Day 2 of move-in continues as planned. By end of day, approximately 50% of exhibitors will have moved-in.

The Enercare Centre has increased their cleaning efforts of high touch areas, including door handles.

More updated to follow tomorrow (March 11) at approximately 12pm.

Firstly, we’d like to acknowledge everyone’s concern regarding COVID-19. We are proud to serve the Home Show community and our top priority, is as always, the safety and experience of everyone involved with our event. We’ll be updating this page daily at approximately 12pm.

Its all systems go for the Home Show, The Big One and we are here onsite moving the show in. 118 have already setup their displays and tomorrow is likely to be another busy day!

Toronto Public health (TPH) is tracking 17 positive cases of the Novel Coronavirus: COVID-19 in Toronto. This is in addition to 4 cases in Peel Region being tracked by Peel Public Health. All cases are travel related and Ontario Ministry of Health reported on Monday COVID-19 is still not circulating locally.

There is no change in the risk evaluation (currently, low risk) by local public health agencies. Furthermore, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)  has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for Canada. The public health risk is continually reassessed and as new information becomes available we will provide updates via this page.

Additional Resources:

Toronto Public Health

Ontario Ministry of Health

Peel Public Health

Public Health Agency of Canada

Monday, March 9 – Show Site Pics

The 2020 Dream Home is well under way!

New aisle sign installation and exhibitor move in are well under way!

Sneak peak at one of the Canada Blooms Gardens

More updated to follow tomorrow (March 10) at 12pm.