PPA gives $3 million in financial relief to members amid COVID-19 pandemic

GaryPageau ,

Professional Photographers of America announced the association has eliminated membership dues for the months of May and June and created dramatic subsidies for Imaging USA attendees. Imaging USA, the longest-running photographic convention in the United States, is scheduled for January 17-19, 2021, in Grapevine, Texas.

“The event sets the tone for the entire photographic year,” says David Trust, CEO, PPA. In the past, Imaging USA has regularly hosted over 10,000 people. And while it’s not clear if stay-at-home measures will still be place in January, Trust is optimistic: “Grapevine 2021 is our chance as a community to bounce back strong.”

Following a special Board of Director’s meeting yesterday, PPA announced its “In It Together” Assistance Program featuring more than $3 million in benefits to members:

  • A chat line dedicated to answering the public’s questions about government assistance programs
  • The elimination of membership dues for two months (May and June)
  • A 73% deduction on Imaging USA registration fees
  • A $40 per night subsidy towards the cost of Imaging USA attendees’ hotel rooms for up to 7 nights
  • A $30 education voucher to be used towards PPA’s photographic workshops, photo competitions, and certification programs

The association also unlocked its complete library of educational videos–normally accessible only to paying members—through May 31, 2020. With more than 1,100 video tutorials covering topics from technical lighting to business development, this library is designed to guide photographers in their journey as artists and entrepreneurs.

“We’ve made some dramatic moves in our 152-year history,” says Gregory Daniel, president, PPA. “None of them have been bigger than this ‘In It Together’ Assistance Program.” Yet, for the nonprofit, helping the photographic community is nothing new. “From its first days in 1868, our organization has always stepped up to defend photographers. What we are doing now is just the latest evidence that there is no other association like PPA anywhere in the world.”