DALLAS – June 23, 2020 – Freeman®, the world’s leading provider of live events and brand experiences, announced today that it is taking additional steps to transform its organization and operations to ensure the company is best-positioned to plan, design, and execute high-impact and safe events for its clients. Freeman is taking proactive steps to respond to the immediate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and reshape its business to meet the evolving needs of its clients in the future.
As part of this transformation, Freeman is eliminating positions and extending furloughs to respond to current and anticipated market demand in its core logistics business supporting in-person live events. Freeman will also centralize its regional facilities in certain markets, including Southern California, the Northeast, and Nevada Region, among select other locations. Together, these actions will support Freeman’s ability to continue investing in key growth areas such as virtual events, digital, and strategy and to provide ongoing support for live events at a scale that meets market demand and ensures continuity of service for clients.
Bob Priest-Heck, CEO of Freeman, said, “We took decisive action in March when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the abrupt cancellation of nearly all in-person events and gatherings. Today’s announcement builds on those initial actions, regionalizing Freeman’s footprint to streamline and standardize customer service. In addition, given our current expectations of the scope and timing of a recovery in the industry, we must transform our operating model by reducing our workforce and extending furlough for many of our employees. While these decisions are difficult and heart wrenching, we are confident that our actions will allow Freeman to weather this crisis, allow us to continue serving clients without disruption, and emerge a stronger company when live events return.”
Carrie Freeman Parsons, Freeman Chair, said, “As a future-focused organization, Freeman has diversified its capabilities substantially in recent years through investments in digital, strategy and virtual event expertise to maintain our leadership in an evolving industry. The current environment demands that we accelerate the pace of our transformation to position Freeman for another century of growth. As a family-owned business that has always put our people first, today’s announcement is very difficult. We are committed to ensuring those affected by these actions are treated with dignity, respect, and support, consistent with our enduring values. I look forward to brighter days ahead for Freeman and the live events industry, and in the meantime, wish all of our colleagues and clients good health and safety in these challenging times.”
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