In addition to our normal news coverage, What Now Atlanta is tracking ways Atlanta’s businesses are adapting to the novel coronavirus and the challenges it brings to brick-and-mortars.
As the coronavirus continues to impact businesses that depend on in-person gatherings, these businesses continue to adapt to the circumstances. Such is the case for Jimmy Economos of EEP Events. The Atlanta-based event producing company has evolved into a “mini broadcasting company,” converting restaurant and private dining spaces into “stream studios,” according to a press release.
Since changing the direction of their company, EEP has worked with chef Pano Karatassos of Kyma to live-stream cooking demos from the restaurant’s kitchen. They’ve worked with The Punchline Comedy Club at the Landmark Diner to set up a streaming studio out of the restaurant’s private dining room. EEP is also working with non-profit organizations to live stream charity auctions.
“It seems that these streaming studios may be the new way for restaurants to get sales in their private dining rooms that otherwise, during this pandemic, sit empty,” according to the release. “Jimmy installed new streaming equipment so the corporate client can go directly in the room and begin to live stream financial meetings, medical training, and board member meetings.”
In a socially distanced world, streaming has taken on new meaning as a primary means of person-to-person interaction. As Bloomberg reports, streaming platforms such as Twitch have seen surges in users and the chatting app Discord saw 3.3 million downloads in March, double from the month previous.
Streaming has now weaved its way into even the most important moments of our lives. EEP has been asked to set up streaming services for weddings and rehersal dinners. Economos said “people are still getting married and now they are doing it a little different, but their family can still enjoy the service through live streaming of the wedding.”
[Editor’s note: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving as is its effect on Atlanta, and the City’s businesses and its residents. Click here for What Now Atlanta’s ongoing coverage of the crisis. For guidance and updates on the pandemic, please visit the C.D.C. website.]
