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COVID-19 Town Calls

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COVID-19 Town Calls

Town Calls on the impact of COVID-19 on media, entertainment and nightlife businesses and workers

Since these programs were first presented, laws and guidance have changed significantly; therefore, before relying on the information in a program, you should confirm that the law and guidance has not changed.

  • February 22, 2022: Multi-Agency Town Call for Worker Resources. The Office of Nightlife at MOME hosted a Town Call for nightlife/hospitality/entertainment workers to learn more about unemployment insurance, paid sick leave, free tax prep and financial counseling, freelance worker labor laws, tenant rights and resources, accessing the health insurance marketplace, public assistance benefits and more. Speakers included:
    • Anne del Castillo, Commissioner, Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment
    • Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director, Office of Nightlife
    • Ed Delahanty, Director, Capital District Telephone Claims Center, NY State Department of Labor
    • Vicki Mockler, Deputy Bureau Chief, Bureau of Employment and Workforce Opportunities, NY State Department of Labor
    • Ayyad Algabyali, Deputy Director for Community Affairs, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
    • Greta Aiken, Enforcement and Engagement Initiatives Manager, NYC Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants
    • Lisbeth Pereyra, Strategic Initiatives Manager, NYC Human Resources Administration
    • Barbara Davis, COO, The Actors Fund
    • Rafael Espinal, Executive Director, Freelancers Union

  • October 7, 2021: Promoting Mental Health for Creative Workers. The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health, and Department of Cultural Affairs hosted a discussion on promoting mental health for creative workers on October 7, 2021.

  • September 1, 2021: Multi-agency Key to NYC Webinar. The Office of Nightlife and City agencies provided information on the Key to NYC rules, including details about employee and guest accommodations and enforcement protocol, which will begin on September 13.

  • March 31, 2021: COVID-19 Vaccine Town Call for the Arts, Entertainment and Nightlife Community. The Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment and the New York City Health Department shared an update on COVID-19 in New York City and information about the COVID-19 vaccines. Speakers included:
    • Anne del Castillo, Commissioner, MOME
    • Emma Pfohman, Chief of Staff, MOME
    • Dr. Jennifer Rosen, Director of Epidemiology and Surveillance for the Bureau of Immunization, New York City Department of Health

  • February 24, 2021: Health Care Town Call for the Entertainment Community. MOME Commissioner, Anne del Castillo hosted representatives from NYC Health + Hospitals and The Actors Fund who spoke on health coverage options for media and entertainment industry professionals across the industry. Speakers included:
    • Marielle Kress, Executive Director, NYC Care, NYC Health + Hospitals
    • Renata Marinaro, National Director of Health Services, The Actors Fund

  • February 23, 2021: Town Call on Open Culture. The NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, the Mayor's Citywide Event Coordination and Management, the Dept. of Cultural Affairs and NYC Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer gave a presentation on the NYC Open Culture program. Speakers included:
    • Anne del Castillo, Commissioner, Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment
    • Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director, Office of Nightlife
    • Ellyn Canfield, Executive Director, NYC Mayor's Office of Citywide Event Management and Coordination
    • Stefan Grybauskas, Director, Street Activity Permit Office
    • Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer

  • January 22, 2021: Town Call for NYC Entertainment, Arts, Nightlife, and Hospitality Workers The NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and Office of Nightlife share the latest City, State, and federal information including new federal stimulus unemployment benefits, paid sick leave and freelance worker labor law updates, food, rent, and financial assistance, COVID-19 updates, health and safety measures + more. Speakers included:
    • Anne del Castillo, Commissioner, Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment
    • Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director, Office of Nightlife
    • Chelsea Cipriano, Executive Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    • Lisbeth Pereyra, Strategic Initiatives Manager, NYC Human Resources Administration
    • Juan Venero and Greta Aiken, NYC Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants
    • Liz Vladeck, Senior Labor Policy Advisor, Mayor's Office of Policy and Planning
    • Tanjila Rahman and Alberto Roldan, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection

  • January 21, 2021: Town Call for NYC Entertainment, Arts, Nightlife, and Hospitality Businesses. The NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and Office of Nightlife provided information about new federal stimulus benefits, the re-launch of PPP and EIDL loan, the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant (aka Save Our Stages grant), Commercial Lease Assistance program and other City resources, COVID-19 updates, health and safety measures and more. Speakers included:
    • Anne del Castillo, Commissioner, Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment
    • Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director, Office of Nightlife
    • Chelsea Cipriano, Executive Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    • Beth Goldberg, John Mallano, Matt Coleman, U.S. Small Business Administration
    • Merideth Weber, Executive Director of Business Outreach and Operations. NYC Department of Small Business Services

  • December 15, 2020: Multi-Agency Town Call for Workers. The Office of Nightlife at MOME hosted a Town Call for workers. Speakers included:
    • Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director, Office of Nightlife at MOME
    • Chelsea Cipriano, Executive Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    • Jackie Bray, Deputy Executive Director of NYC Health + Hospitals Test & Trace Corps
    • Mamunur Rahman, ThriveNYC, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    • Kevin J. Kelly, Senior Associate Counsel and Judith Lê, Associate Counsel, NYC Counsel to the Mayor
    • Liz Vladeck, Senior Labor Policy Advisor, Mayor's Office of Policy and Planning
    • Tanjila Rahman and Alberto Roldan, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
    • Lisbeth Pereyra, Strategic Initiatives Manager, NYC Human Resources Administration
    • Juan Venero and Greta Aiken, NYC Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants
    • Rafael Espinal, President, Freelancers Union
    • Ellyn Canfield, Executive Director, NYC Office of Citywide Event Management and Coordination
    • Steven Picker, Executive Director - Food Service Industry Partnership, NYC Department of Small Business Services
    • Shira Gans, Senior Executive Director, Policy + Programs, MOME

  • November 18, 2020: Public Health and Dining Guidelines Town Call. The Office of Nightlife at MOME hosted a Town Call to provide COVID-19 statistics, explain the Test and Trace process for workers and patrons, and answer questions about guidelines for bars and restaurants. Speakers included:
    • Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director, Office of Nightlife at MOME
    • Jackie Bray, Deputy Executive Director of NYC Health + Hospitals Test & Trace Corps
    • Chelsea Cipriano, Executive Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    • Julie Schipper, Deputy Chief of Staff, NYC Department of Transportation
    • Joseph Ackroyd, Assistant Commissioner - Technical Affairs & Code Development, NYC Department of Buildings
    • David Louis, NYC Department of Buildings
    • Steven Picker, Executive Director - Food Service Industry Partnership - NYC Department of Small Business Services

  • October 20, 2020: Nightlife Multi-Agency Town Call on New Indoor/Outdoor Dining Guidance. The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and the Office of Nightlife hosted a Town Call where nightlife and hospitality businesses could get information and ask questions about new indoor and outdoor dining rules and changes related to the extension of the Open Restaurants program. Speakers included:
    • Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director, Office of Nightlife at MOME
    • Joni Kletter, Commissioner and Chief Administrative Law Judge at NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings
    • Joseph Ackroyd, Assistant Commissioner - Technical Affairs & Code Development, NYC Department of Buildings
    • David Louis, NYC Department of Buildings
    • Chelsea Cipriano, Executive Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    • Christian J. Klossner, Executive Director of the Office of Special Enforcement
    • Steven Picker, Executive Director - Food Service Industry Partnership, NYC Department of Small Business Services
    • Deborah Pointdujour and Pierrecharles Pierre, NYC Fire Department (FDNY)
    • Emily Weidenhof, Director of Public Space, NYC Department of Transportation

  • May 1, 2020: COVID-19 Town Call for Businesses, Employers and Entrepreneurs in Film/TV, Music, Theatre, Advertising, Publishing, Digital Content, and Nightlife. MOME Commissioner, Anne del Castillo hosted New York City officials and other experts who discussed how the COVID-19 crisis impacted NYC's businesses, addressed questions and concerns, and provided updates on resources and government guidelines. Speakers included:
    • Anne del Castillo, Commissioner, MOME
    • Beth Goldberg, District Director, NY District Office US Small Business Administration
    • Gregg Bishop, Commissioner, NYC Department of Small Business Services

  • April 30, 2020: COVID-19 Town Call for Employees, Freelancers and Artists in Film/TV, Music, Theatre, Advertising, Publishing, Digital Content, and Nightlife. MOME Commissioner, Anne del Castillo hosted New York City officials and other experts who discussed how the COVID-19 crisis impacted NYC's businesses, addressed questions and concerns, and provided updates on resources and government guidelines. Speakers included:
    • Anne del Castillo, Commissioner, MOME
    • Lorelei Salas, Commissioner, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
    • Liz Vladeck, Senior Labor Policy Advisor, Mayor's Office of Policy and Planning
    • Ben Holt, Deputy Commissioner, Office of Labor and Policy Standards, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
    • Jean Bae, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs, Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs

  • April 14, 2021: Nightlife Town Call for Workers and Freelancers. The Office of Nightlife at MOME held a Town Call featuring New York City officials and other experts who discussed how the COVID-19 crisis impacted NYC's Nightlife Community, addressed questions and concerns, and provided updates on resources and government guidelines. Speakers included:
    • Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director, Office of Nightlife at MOME
    • Lorelei Salas, Commissioner, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
    • Liz Vladeck, Senior Labor Policy Advisor, Mayor's Office of Policy and Planning
    • Beth Goldberg, District Director, NY District Office US Small Business Administration
    • Rafael Espinal, President, Freelancers Union

  • April 13, 2020: Nightlife Town Call for Owners and Managers. The Office of Nightlife at MOME held a Town Call featuring New York City officials and other experts who discussed how the COVID-19 crisis impacted NYC's Nightlife Community, addressed questions and concerns, and provided updates on resources and government guidelines. Speakers included:
    • Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director, Office of Nightlife at MOME
    • Gregg Bishop, Commissioner, NYC Department of Small Business Services
    • Beth Goldberg, District Director, NY District Office, US Small Business Administration
    • Andrew Rigie, President, NYC Hospitality Alliance & Chair, Nightlife Advisory Board