Legal Liabilities Associated with Event Promotion

In the live entertainment industry, there are many legal liabilities. In order to run a successful event, one must be aware of the legal issues they could possibly face.

Liquor Service: There are many safety concerns when it comes to hosting live events. Having a large group of people in a small confined space can be dangerous, especially when alcohol is served. With Florida’s liquor license laws, it is very easy to find yourself in legal trouble. Many bars, venues, and restaurants, in Orlando have lost their liquor license due to serving to minors or over-serving customers. These type of laws are called “Dram Shop Acts.” They exist to protect the public from the poor choices of intoxicated people. I researched the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. The site has great insight into the Laws and Regulations of Alcohol in Florida.
(http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/abt/resources/alcohol_resources.html)

Pyrotechnics: In today’s live entertainment market, having pyrotechnics at a concert or event is the norm. There are strict laws and codes that monitor the use of such items. These laws are primarily for the safety of people at the venue. These controlled explosions fall under strict liability. When these guidelines are not correctly followed, tragedy can occur, leading to lengthy litigation. I researched an incident in Rhode Island where pyrotechnics were used at a concert. The pyrotechnics were not supposed to be used and resulted in a fire, which killed 39 people. It is important to be knowledgeable and careful when allowing pyrotechnics to be used at your live event venue.

(http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0302/21/bn.09.html)

Contracts:When booking artists for live venues, there are many contracts that are signed. Each individual event should have a contract that should be read and executed diligently. Both parties agree to the contract terms and if the terms are not carried out, legal litigation is likely. As an event promoter It is important that I understand every aspect of the contracts I sign, even if that involves having my lawyer look them over. This will help me avoid legal troubles. I found the following site, which provides not only examples of contacts, but printable sample contracts which can be used by business professionals. (http://www.printablecontracts.com/)